Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 8
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[Page 8]
Preface
The events which led up to the war now in progress, and the main features of the Campaign will be published in a much more complete form than I could possibly hope to arrange.
My desire is to carefully chronicle as far as possible all details affecting the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade which I have the honour to Command, and also particularly my own personal experiences from the time of the acceptance of my services by the Defence Authorities of Australia to the completion of the war, or as far as I am destined to participate in such war.
The "Grad[u]ation List" of officers published by the Military Board in connection with the 1st Expeditionary Force shows clearly the names of all Officers serving and their appointments.
There are in Australia at present in existence 26 Militia Batteries, from which 3 Brigade and 9 Battery Commanders are required for the A.I.F. artillery. The R.A.F.A. provided 1 Brigade and 2 Battery Commanders, thus leaving 2 Brigade and 6 Battery Commanders to be selected from 26 Militia Batteries.
Of these Batteries the 44th Howitzer (raised by me in 1908 and commanded by me till June 1915) has provided 1 Brigade and 2 Battery Commanders, leaving only 1 Brigade Commander and 4 Battery Commanders to be provided from the Remaining 25 Batteries. It is also significant that every officer who has graduated through the Howitzer Battery is serving in the 1st A.I.Force.
On July 1st I was appointed to the Command of the 5th A.F.A. Brigade New South Wales, and in consequence had to vacate the position of O.C. 44th (Howitzer) Battery. This Battery had been raised by me in 1908 and had always maintained a high standard of efficiency and Readiness.
Upon my vacating the Command my Captain (Major Rabett) was promoted to rank of Major and given Command of the Battery.
The Creation of the 5th Brigade had barely been completed when war was declared and the 44th Battery as a whole – officers and men – was the first Unit in the Australian Commonwealth to volunteer its services in the defence of the Empire.
When the British Authorities accepted Australia's offer of a complete division, I was posted to the Command of the 2nd Battery in the