Item 10: General William Holmes diary, 23 August 1914-22 February 1915 - Page 138
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 138]
WEDNESDAY - 28TH OCTOBER 1914;
At 12-25 a.m. the following message was received from Navy Office: -
"W/T officer reports arrival and departure of "Messina", and if messages sent you 26th October signed 'Pethebridge' have been received."
Reply despatched at 8-40 p.m.
"Messages referred to received. "Messina" leaves fro Nauru today."
At 8-0 p.m. the "Messina left for Nauru, having on board the Administrator, Captain Travers, detachment of 50 Infantry under command Captain Norrie, and A.M.C. detail under Captain Donaldson, as referred to in diary of yesterday's date, also 1 machine gun.
It has been decided that the "Matunga"; which will leave for Friedrich Wilhelmshafen on the 30th instant and subsequently return to Rabaul, will await the return of the "Messina" from Nauru, and convey any German Prisoners to Sydney. Major Heritage has been appointed Deputy Administrator during the Administrator's absence from Rabaul.
The garrison for Kawieng left at 9-0 p.m. per "Meklong"; Captain Ravenscroft, Provost Marshal; Manning, Assistant Judge Advocate General; Fry, Treasury, were on board. Captain Twynam, O.C. Native Police, also proceeded on the "Loringow". The Expedition will proceed direct to Kawieng and then to Namatanai to arrest and bring back certain Germans who it is reported assaulted a Methodist Missionary - Mr. Cox - on the 26th instant, under the pretext that he, together with one of his Pastors, had given information to the British Troops prior to surrender.
A Sports Meeting was held at Rabaul by the Troops.
The health of the Troops is good.