18th January 1916

The Cairo Rail Station, 1916.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - H16639]

Tuesday 18th January

Returned to camp by 11 o’clock train. Major Lucas travelled down with me. At battery manoeuvre during afternoon. Major Lucas saw General Chauvel again re command of 4th Battery, but still no satisfaction. He dined with us and stayed the night.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]

17th January 1916

A Cairo street scene, 1916, during Col. Rosenthal's visit (below).

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - H03014]

Monday 17th January

Saw DAAG and General Spence at H Qrs. re Lieut Richardson. No charge laid because no evidence available. A badly bungled affair on the part of the Provost Staff. I at once wired for Lt Richardson to be released. Had photo films developed and prints taken at Kodak Shop. The majority taken on my trip out turned out very well.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]

16th January 1916

The Continental Hotel in Cairo - Col. Rosenthal's accommodation for the night.

[Courtesy of Cairo Observer]

Sunday 16th January

Church parade in morning. Very good turn out. Saw Major Lucas re Command of 4th Battery. He came down to see General Chauvel about it today but got very little satisfaction. He is to come down again on Tuesday next. Went up to Cairo. Major Lucas and Lt Col Cox Taylor in the train. The latter is commanding the D.A.C. 2nd Division. Stayed at Continental Hotel. Saw General Spence re Lt Richardson’s case. Arranged to see him at H Qrs. tomorrow. Talked with Rabett till 12.30 PM.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]

1639 Corporal Duncan Fraser
(7th Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade)

Corporal Fraser, 7th Battery, 3rd Brigade, A.F.A., formerly a member of the Brisbane Caledonian Pipe Band, in a letter from Alexandria, Egypt, to Mr. Finlayson, M.P., remarks:-

"Many, many thanks for your very kind letters. I heard about the poetry being in 'The Dally Standard,' although I did not see it myself. I am in Alexandria on a special duty at present, and I can tell you that I am enjoying a well-earned rest, as I have been on the Peninsula from the very start till the finish. We had only a three weeks' spell in Lemnos, and I am very lucky to be here now, I can assure you. Give my very best respects to all who may be asking for me, and say that I am just as fit as ever, and intend to fight to a finish. It is pretty hard lines having to give up the Peninsula, but better heads than ours thought the thing out, and I don't think any one is sorry over it. I can say that the Turk was not sorry either."  

Published in the Daily Standard, on the 10 March 1916.
[Courtesy of National Library of Australia - TROVE]

15th January 1916

Parade of the 1st Division Artillery, being reviewed by Sir Archibald

Murray on the 15th January.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C00004]

Saturday 15

Inspected by Sir Archibald Murray KCB. KCMG CVO-DSO

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]

Artillery marching passed General Sir Archibald Murray, during the

review outside Tel-el-Kebir.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C00330]

Saturday 15th January

Batteries on Manoeuvre area during morning. During afternoon review held. First Division marched past. Second Division whose horses are not yet fit did not march past. Generally a very good show. The General hinted to me that France would probably be our destination after a couple of months’ stay. Gen Hobbs cabled that he would leave Marseilles to day by R.M.S. MONGOLIA.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]

One of the 1st Division's Batteries returning to camp from the review, 15th January.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C04136]

14th January 1916

The 1st Division Headquarters building, Tel-el-Kebir.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - A02460]

Friday 14th January

Stayed in camp all the morning preparing training Syllabus for my Brigade. During the afternoon a rehearsal was held of all Divisional troops for review tomorrow for Sir Archibald Murray. Brigade made excellent showing. Capt. Jopp taking officers of 3rd Inf. Bde, 3rd Engineers and 3rd Field Ambulance in equitation. Called on 2nd Divisional Artillery.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]

13th January 1916

3rd Field Ambulance Route March, Tel-el-Kebir, January 1916.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C04847]

Thursday 13th January

Out with Batteries in the morning. Riding School arranged each afternoon for officers of 3rd Infantry Brigade, 3rd Field Ambulance and 3rd Field Co Engineers. Wrote to all members of the family. Review ordered for Saturday for Sir Archibald Murray, with rehearsal tomorrow afternoon. Orders to demobolise Heavy Battery and all A.I.F. Personnel to be attached to 3rd BAC I shall commence the formation of a 4th Battery in the Brigade in the hope that the new establishments for Brigades will be adopted. Gen Chauvel and Major Anderson to Ismailia on duty. Heard details of Lt Richardson’s arrest. Stated that he was drunk, but do not believe it. Papers have I understand been sent to Gen Godley.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]

12th January 1916

The Shepheard's Hotel, well known to Col. Rosenthal during his initial stint in Egypt

in early 1915, played host to an unfolding scandal for the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade.

[Courtesy of Speedway Fiction]

Wednesday 12th January

Out with Brigade all day. Battery drill very good. Major Hughes and Lt Urquhart in Cairo on a Court Martial. Very surprised to received wire from A.P.M Cairo that Lt Richardson was under arrest at Shepheard's Hotel. Discussed with Anderson promotion of our officers. Could not recommend Lt Urquhart for Captaincy owing to unsatisfactory work at Gallipoli, and his O.C. having relieved him of the Command of his Section.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]