18th May 1916

Members of the Light Horse Field Ambulance on exercise in the Egyptian desert,

erecting makeshift shelters in an attempt to stave off the extreme heat, 1916.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - A01981B]

Thursday 18th May

Shooting again this morning but I did not feel up to attending. The heat is again as bad as ever, it is real Hell. My hut yesterday at 1 o’clock was 112° and last night at 11 PM it was 98°. Am taking a quiet day.

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

17th May 1916

The H.M.S. Aphis, which arrived off Serapeum in the Suez Canal to fix

observing stations for the artillery shoot (below).

[Courtesy of Naval History Homepage]

Wednesday 17th May

Commenced shooting at 5.15 AM and went on till 11.30. The heat affected me so much that I left at 8.30 and returned to Camp.

Two monitors under Commander Noble arrived during the early morning to fix observing Stations etc. for front line.

Commander Noble and his officers called to see me at 12 o’clock and I went off to lunch with them at 1 PM. The monitors were the "SCARAB" and "APHIS". Being again a terribly hot day I stayed on board and went with him down to his Station in the BITTER LAKE returning to my HQrs. at 7.30 PM. It seemed no cooler on the water than on the land, the wind was scorching, but on the boat they had plenty of ice, so we filled up with iced lime juice and soda, and really delicious it was. They keep a couple of chameleons on board as fly catchers.

Feel very seedy. I think I got a touch of the sun this morning. Received two letters from Nell and one from Chris.

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

16th May 1916

Looking out across the sun-parched sand from Serapeum Camp, with an

observation blimp overhead, 1916.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G01491A]

Tuesday 16th May

Another day’s shoot, finishing up a little earlier than yesterday – at 12.30. Heat dreadfully trying. I felt quite sick, and cut out one series.

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

15th May 1916

Camel train alongside a mostly empty supply train, on the rail line at Romani

just beyond Serapeum Camp, May 1916.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P01309.023]

Monday 15th May

Commenced a week’s shooting at 5.30 AM. One battery of each Brigade on each day. Finished up at 1 o’clock. Heat again terrific. Received letters from Nell and Alvord.

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

14th May 1916

Chaplains leaving a Church Service at an A.I.F. Camp, 1916.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C04062]

Sunday 14th May

Another awful day. Did not attend Church Parade, but spoke to all officers and N.C.Os. in the afternoon re our early move to France, discipline etc. Tried to write letters but gave it up in disgust the heat being terrific. Capt. de Low took up duty temporarily as Brigade Major.

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

13th May 1916

Overlooking Serapeum Camp on the Suez Canal, 1916.

[Courtesy of Flikr]

Saturday 13th May

With General Nicholl at camp during the morning. In the afternoon motored out with him and Capt. Matherson (commanding 60 pr. Battery) to front line to select position for his guns. Major Dangar accompanied us from Rail Head.

Gen. Nicholl returned to Ismailia during evening.

Gen. Cox left on a few days sick leave. Weather terrifically hot.

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

12th May 1916

As published in The Queenslander Pictorial, 9th December 1916.

[Courtesy of State Library of Queensland]

Friday 12th May

Excessive heat. HQrs. Coy of Divisional Train arrived. At 6 AM. Gen. Nicholl accompanied me to witness shooting of 12th Brigade. Gen. Cox inspected at 8.30 AM. Batteries of 11th Brigade detailed for Front line mobile work. He expressed his satisfaction. In the afternoon Gen. Nicholl visited Batteries at work. Heavy battery (60 pr.) arrived.

Gen. Nicholl gave me a good deal of information re 1st Anzac he having recently visited them in France when returning to Egypt from leave in England.

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