Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 90
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[Page 90]
There are several villages around the shores of the bay. I should like to get inland and look at the Capital. The Harbour is very lively today. More Transports have come in, and naval pinnaces are all over the place, towing boat loads of soldiers. I should dearly love for Charley to be transferred to this station. I could then hope to see something of him. I think I shall try the Admiral.
Friday 16th April
Today has been spent in practising landing, etc. First the 7th Battery disembarked 12 horses by means of ships into a punt, then gun and lumber and 2 wagons and limbers into another punt. These were towed ashore by naval pinnace, horses and vehicles put ashore and afterwards reloaded on to Punts, returned to ships and reslung into hatches. After lunch the 3rd Battery did similar work, and the 3rd BAC also, so that now with the exception of Major Burgess' battery each unit of my Brigade has had experience of landing work. Colonel Hobbs informed me today that I am to temporarily command the Batteries on this Ship, and that my batteries and Col Johnstone's batteries are to be landed simultaneously. If we cannot beat him and ensure that the 7th Battery fires first shot I shall be disappointed. All work today most efficiently carried out and without accident, except for one man who fell off a punt and thoroughly enjoyed his swim to the gangway.
I have much admired the Middys' today handling their picket boats like old salts.
Saturday 17th April
Went ashore this morning with boats crew to Mudros Village. Major King and Capt Rigall accompanied me. We roamed through the village, had a good look at French troops and the quaint streets, houses and people of the Village. Major King took some photographs. We then walked round through the fields to where landing was taking place. We all picked some poppies and daisies to enclose in our last home letters. We had a look through one of the many mills in this island. They do their work exceedingly well. We saw the Mountain Batteries of the 29th Division coming ashore and after seeing their work I am convinced our Field batteries can "run rings" round them and could come into action in many minutes less than these folk appear to do. The Contrast was very marked today. Our ship has today handed over six life boats to the "Suffolk". She was evidently short and we had more than we required. Quite a sensation