Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 68
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[Page 68]
Wednesday 3rd February
Returned to camp about 10.30. men spent day cleaning harness and guns. Colonel Hobbs came out at 8AM to inspect our gun pits. Preparing Sundry sketches and schemes during day. Bitterly cold night.
Thursday 4th February
At work on manoeuvre area. Colonel Hobbs brought out R.F.A. Colonel, named Cunliffe Owen. He has been at the front for some months and has now been appointed C.R.A. for our Army Corps Artillery. He gave us many interesting bits of information regarding Artillery work in France. Benson of Head Quarters has been today getting some local studies for water colour sketches.
General instructions to sketchers of each Battery. No letters from Australia this week – shortage of boats evidently.
Friday 5th February
On manoeuvre area. The 2nd Brigade was to have commenced shooting, but as Colonel Owen (now Brig Gen Owen) could not come out and was particularly anxious to see the shooting, it was postponed till Monday. We bivouaced near Pengelley's date plantation and had a much better night than Tuesday last. Dug in the whole battery with forward observing posts and my own shelter, all connected by Telephone. Very cold night.
Saturday 6th February
Returned from bivouac to camp at 9AM. Then the whole Artillery Division was formed up under "self ridge" close to camp and a photograph taken. The Artillery covered many acres and made a most imposing picture. Afterwards all Artillery officers rode to the Pyramids and, grouped upon the lower courses of stone of "Cheops" were again photographed. We hope to get some good pictures as a result.
Sunday 7th February
Visited Cairo, Maadi Camp and Heliopolis. Maadi camp which is a few miles from Cairo along the Banks of the Nile is certainly a miserable spot, not nearly as nice as Mena, but alongside are numerous fine residences and the owners have been