Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 81
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 81]
Wednesday 24th March
Holiday for Brigade. Went into Cairo and arranged to get photos of General Birdwood and Staff (our Army Corps) also small groups of Artillery Divisions and 3rd Brigade officers. Had my razor blades adjusted.
Thursday 25th March
Brigade scheme all day. Practising Communications.
Major Lynch sent a car for me from Maadi so that I could assist them at their concert at night. Mrs and two Miss Pengelleys from Mena (whose uncle resides at Maadi and who has done a great deal for officers and men there) also went. I had dinner with officers of 2nd L. Horse Brigade. Col Chauvel was also present. Returned home at 10.30 PM. Ali Bey made me a present of a lady's evening wrap in net and silver for Nell.
Friday 26th March
Divisional scheme for all Brigades. Lecture at 4.30PM. Spent the evening in getting my heavy baggage packed and ready for storage. Telephone cart arrived from England and handed over to Brigade. It is an improved pattern.
Saturday 27th March
Lecture by Gen Cunliffe Owen at 9.30AM. Very interesting accounts of early part of war. Cooperation between Artillery and Infantry forcibly illustrated. Worked on Telephone detachment and instructed them.
Sunday 28th March
Church Parade at 9AM. General Birdwood present also Staffs and Colonel Hobbs. Marched past after Service.
The worst day we have had in Egypt. Dust and sand in abundance. Stayed in the mess tent which was the only reasonably clean place.
Monday 29th March
Our troops at Mena reviewed in morning by General Sir Ian Hamilton. General Godley also present. He invited us over to Zeitoun in the afternoon to see a review of the New Zealand & Austn Division. Major Burgess, Browne and Hughes accompanied Jopp and myself.
We had lunch at the Continental and then motored out to the review. It was a great sight though the dust rather spoiled the effect.