26th December 1914

Davies Bryan Co. at centre photo - the brainchild of businessman John Davies

Bryan, a Welshman from Caernarfon, Wales, the business soon moved to

Alexandria & then Cairo, where a custom building was designed & opened in

1910.  Davies Bryan of Cairo was the pride of Emad El Din Street, where the

most elegant shops were situated.

[Courtesy of Egy.com]

Saturday 26th December

At work during morning with Specialists class, then went into Cairo re British Warm and a cap. Called at Phillips shop, but finally decided to get what I required at Davies Bryan & Co. Returned to camp at 3 PM.

Major Rabett came over to dinner, and we had an interesting yarn about old times.

 

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

25th December 1914

A number of the men of the 7th Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, waiting

with their cups and dixies ready to enjoy Christmas dinner outside the tent

lines of their camp - amongst the food laid out on a cloth on the ground are

decoratively cut melons sitting on tins and cakes surrounded by pieces of fruit.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P02449.003]

Friday 25th December

Christmas day – Very beautiful weather, but no "Peace on earth". Major Hughes, Capt Waite and Mr Jopp went out early, snipe shooting, only succeeding in bagging two brace.

Turkeys, geese and lamb for Christmas dinner. Cooks made a specially good showing. Callaghan & Olding, also Capt Morton, N.Z.S.C. also present. Rabett and King could not get round.

Church service at 9.30AM

All units faring very well. Major Browne’s battery had an exceptionally good show, Turkeys, hams, beef, vegetables, fruits and sweets of all kinds. If they never obtain worse fare in their campaigning they will have no cause for complaint. Mr Phillip, tailor of Cairo, a friend of Mr Larcombe and Mr Short called on me. 

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

24th December 1914

Mena Camp, December 1914 - Reflection in a fresh water canal near the A.I.F. Camp,

taken by (or likely featuring) 1737 Gunner William Edward Haseman of the 7th Battery.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P00117.002]

Thursday 24th December

I interviewed Major Gellibrand at 8.30 AM re coaling on board "Rangatira", also Capt Matson re drugs for horses urgently required. Major Austin informed me Molasses etc from Alexandria was coming forward, and asked for fatigue party as "consideration". Out all day with Patrols. Passed through an interesting Arab village where we were very curiously observed. Further on we passed a Police station, belonging to Coast Guard Service in preventing smuggling.

Here there were Soudanese officials with their wives, all as black as pitch. Came back at 4PM very tired. Practised helio work with moving stations. Discovered a man in the B.A. Column who is a professional artist, employed on the Bulletin Staff I understand. He is acting as a Patrol. I must secure him for Brigade head Quarters. Sent letter to Philp informing him I could give him a place as Corporal on head Quarters. I hope he can come here. Brigade signallers working under Capt Mackworth in helio station work. Signallers from 7 to 8PM, after that a free night.

Major Browne bought yesterday for me a dozen very good pictures of Cairo and surrounds.

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

23rd December 1914

Some of the 7th Battery Men, Mena Camp, Egypt - "A group of our lads

(arrowed left to right) Sergeant Hodge, 1508 Sergeant Charles Henry Galliott,

Sergeant Richard D. Alcroft, 1623 Farrier Sergeant Charles Imber, Sergeant

F. F. Howard, Gunner W. P. Sparkes, Sergeant Owen Kenneth Stewart,

standing round a wicked horse that had to be thrown and tied up to enable

the Farrier to shoe it.  The tent in background right is a sleeping tent and

the larger one a Store Tent."

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P00117.027]

Wednesday 23rd December

Paraded at Col Hobbs office this morning with Brigade Commanders concerning detention and promotion of officers. Endorsed my previous recommendation re Jopp and Gee. Prepared plasticine model to illustrate lecture on "Contours". Mr Clowes explained "Conventional Signs". Practical map reading during afternoon. Col Hobbs came out and asked for recommendations for promotion of 2nd Lieutenant. I recommended all excepting Jenkinson. Lecture at night. "Billets & Bivouacs". Col Hobbs and full staff attended. Talked afterwards with Rabett and King.

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