Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 75
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[Page 75]
Friday 26th February
Had photograph taken of Brigade Officers in the morning. Could not get guns out for photo of whole Brigade owing to painting operations. At 1 o'clock Brigade and Battery staffs also OC, BAC and details moved out to take part in signal exercise, which continued until 12 midnight.
We arrived back in camp about 1 AM, and our mess secretary had been good enough to arrange for Hot Supper for us all, and it was duly appreciated. Charley writes me that the "Australia" and "Sydney" are now with the Home fleets.
Received instructions to prepare No 3 Section B.A.C. for immediate departure to – no one knows where - The 3rd Infantry Brigade together with engineers, ASC, AMC etc and our battery and portion of Column are under orders to leave tomorrow. We do not know if they are simply going forward to a base, or whether they have a definite job on hand. Their ships are under sealed orders till they are 20 miles out at sea from Alexandria. I wish my whole Brigade had received orders to March.
New extension shields are now fitted to 8th Battery guns, and will in due course be fitted to all guns of our Division.
Saturday 27th February
Units stayed in all day after labour of previous evening. The 3rd Infantry Brigade are very busy getting ready to move, also our No 3 Section of B.A.Column. All left camp about 6 PM. Capt Waite went in with his section and saw them safely entrained. Mr McAdam had previously gone to Alexandria with an Advanced Party for him.
Sunday 28th February
Church Parade at 9.30. Presbyterian padre. Band of 12th Infantry played for us. I was wrong in stating above that Units moved out on Saturday. They left this evening at 6PM. At 5.30 I inspected our men and gave them a few words of advice and farewell. Wrote to Nell, Alvord, Charley, Chris, Emma and Father.
Monday 1st March
Batteries of 2nd Brigade did shooting. Passable in parts, good in others. Our officers and men attended and watched the shooting. Conference during afternoon re Friday's signal scheme. Major Parker, Capt Mclennan and myself attended Pathe Freres Picture show in camp. Quite a night of dissipation.