Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 70
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 70]
All officers and men to be again inoculated and vaccinated. We start operations tomorrow, and will be staying in camp in consequence.
Friday 11th February
Units at work on Training Area. I stayed in camp arranging re vaccination and interviewing reinforcements for vacancies in our Brigade. Major Parker and Major Hughes also in Camp as Presidents of Boards.
Capt Jopp visited Carriage works re repairs to saddles, and banked Canteen money. New canteen opened today. Seems very well stocked. I hope it will be a boon to our men. Arranging for ranging table in mess to ensure our officers become prompt and efficient when acting as Battery Commanders. Making changes in Head quarters staff re Corporal and Telephone mechanic which should be satisfactory.
Friday 12th February
This date seems familiar. Today I reach 40 years. I wonder where I shall be next 12th February and what my experiences will have been during the year. Very pleased to receive cable from Nell conveying birthday greetings and also informing me that Alvord had been accepted for the R.A.Navy. Brigade stayed in camp and doctor vaccinated everybody again, small pox having made its appearance among the troops. Selected by Colonel Hobbs with Major Browne and Major King to go tomorrow to Suez to study fortifications there and view the country over which the Turks attacked. Went into Cairo at 7.30, visited the "Kurral", then turned in at Continental Hotel. Fresh draft of horses taken over by Brigade.
Saturday 13th February
Caught train at Cairo Central Station at 7AM. About 20 officers comprised the party. Passed through Tel el Kebir on way to Ismailia, and also saw on our right the Ancient Land of Goschen. Went through Ismailia to Kantara, about 20 miles nearer Port Said at which place some fighting had taken place. We saw a great deal of earthworks, gun emplacements etc on the Western Bank of Canal, but had no chance to inspect them. At Kantara we found the station buildings protected with sand bags, and an armoured train drawn up alongside