Item 02: General William Holmes operation orders, 1914-June 1916 - Page 190
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 190]
H.T. Navua.
18th Feby. 1915.
To:- The Minister for Defence,
Melbourne.
Sir,
I beg to report the return to Sydney of the following members of the Naval & Military Expeditionary Forces:-
| Staff | Naval | Military | Total | |
| H.T. Navua. | 8 | 308 | 547 | 863 |
| H.M.A.T. Eastern. | - | 66 | 98 | 164 |
| Totals | 8 | 374 | 645 | 1027 |
The H.T. Navua reached Rabaul at 10 a.m. on the 9th February, but owing to the removal of coal from one end of the ship to the other, was unable to take troops on board until midday the 10th February. She left Rabaul at 3.0 p.m. the same day, the Eastern preceding her by three hours. In spite of of a gale which blew with hurricane force for two days the voyage has been very pleasant; provisions, accommodation &c. quite satisfactory. There are only four cases of sickness on board. After consultation with the Administrator, Colonel Pethebridge, and on the strong recommendation of the P.M.O., it was decided to send the large number of sick per the Eastern as the space on the Navua was so limited.
Major Martin and Capts Thorold and Manning are at Madang, Kawieng, and Rabaul respectively; the former is returning by the S.S. Matunga, the latter as soon as they can be relieved.
Health. The Hospitals (4) at Rabaul and Herbertshohe have been full since I assumed command on the 9th January but no deaths have occurred. The P.M.O. estimates that 60% of the troops are infected with malaria. A serious