11th March 1916

General Chauvel (right), chatting to British General Lyndel-Bell, at Sheikh Zowaiid, Sinai,

in 1916 - on the 11th March, Gen. Chauvel paid homage to the 1st Division Artillery (below).

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - H03791]

March 11th

Major F. A. Hughes to be Lieut. Col. (Temp) dated 12.Mch. 16

Lt. P.J. Ross & Lt. S. F. Hodgens to be Captains

(D.A.R.Q. No.7.)               Dated 12th. March 1916

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 11th F.A. Brigade]

Saturday 11th March

Received long report from Rabett re Light Horse at Cairo. Sent same on to General White for his information and necessary action.

Large number of Artillery promotions published, but list not complete. Men at present on strength of 4th D.A. busy pitching tents, getting ready for Light Horse and Infantry drafts. Gen. Chauval had parade of 1st Div. Artillery and said "Good bye" to them. I understand he is vacating the Command of 1st Division but know no details. Instructed by Gen. Godley to get into touch with C.R.A. 1st Division re gun positions at Serapeum, it being understood 4th Div. is to take over this line later. Fortunately I know the ground and will not need to make a fresh visit. Received letters from Alvord, Chris, Nell, Emma and Father & Mother.

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

10th March 1916

The stables of the 9th Light Horse at Heliopolis near Cairo - possibly visited by

Major Rabett on his recruiting drive for the 4th Division Artillery (below).

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - A00209]

Friday 10th

Left camping ground & formed up as Details for the 4th Division.

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

March 10th.

Capt. U. E. Parry Okeden and 3 men transferred to 11th. F. A. Bde from 1st. D. A. P. (D.A.R.O. No.6.)

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 11th F.A. Brigade]

Friday 10th March

Wrote to Gen. Hobbs re getting from 1st DA certain N.C.Os. and men to be given commission in 4th D.A. He refused to let either N.C.Os. or men receive promotion. Received report from Major Rabett re recruits in Cairo from Light Horse etc. Prospects good, but great difficulty in overcoming Departmental red tape regarding the transfer of men, and movement to Tel el Kebir.

Received congratulatory cable from Edith Halford also one from George. He has not received my first letter offering him Commission. Have written him again, also his CO to allow him to accept and get out quickly.

Letter from Gen. Cox saying he will spend next Monday morning with our men of 4th Div Arty Wrote to Brigadier of Infantry Brigade 4th Div., re transfer of suitable men to 4th DA.

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

9th March 1916

The Sergeant's Mess Hut at Ferry Post, Ismailia.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - J05867]

Thursday 9th March

Parry Okeden posted to 4th D.A. today. Called on Gen. Cox and protested. He is trying to get him to 1st Division. Discussed with him proposals re FERRY POST. He hopes 4th DA may remain here to organise and train. New Camp almost ready. Officers mess established, only Div. Staff now remaining with 3rd F.A. Bde. Capt. Frazer posted to Signal Co. 4th Division. Very pleased. He is a good fellow.

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

8th March 1916

A Q.F. 4.5 inch Howitzer being towed through the Egyptian sand with specialised sand

tyres - after its formation two days beforehand on the 6th March, the new 103rd Howitzer

Brigade assumed some of the original members of the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade (below). 

[Courtesy of Wikiwand]

8

A number of our own men left the Brigade and went over to the 103rd Howitzer Battery.

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

Wednesday 8th March

Went up by 7 AM train to Cairo re recruits for New Div. Artillery. Spent the day with Col. Christian in Cairo, came down with him in evening train. Gen. Murray Commander in Chief M.E.F. also on train. Arranged for Rabett to go up to Cairo tomorrow to represent 4th Div. Arty, Col. Cox Taylor representing 5th D.A.

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

7th March 1915

Light Horsemen inspecting some of the defenses at Ferry Post, Ismailia - the new

camp for the 4th Artillery Division (below).

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C01000]

Tuesday 7th March

Spent day with Brigade commanders in getting organization of New Divisional Artillery under weigh. Called on Head Quarters 4th, 12th and 13th Brigade re recruits. Camp being pitched on new site.

Watched officers at tent pegging. Received two letters from Charley and one from Alice Paul. Charley seems to be doing well on his new ship and appears to like the company as well as the ship.

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

6th March 1916

Ferry Post, at Ismailia, in 1916 - Col. Rosenthal received word that Ferry Post was

to become the temporary base of operations for the 4th Battalion (below). 

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P00998.009]

March 6th.

4th. Div. Artillery R. O. No.4. Consequent on War Office Instructions, Establishment were altered to accord with War Establishment Part V11. New Armies 1915.

Batteries were reallotted as follows:-

                           (   41st. Battery
11th F. A. Bde.   (   42nd. Battery
                           (   43rd. Battery
                           (   44th. Battery

The Artillery of the 1st. Aust. Div. were to provide the neucleus of the Personnel of Artillery of 4th. Division, and 49 N.C.Os. and men were transferred from 3rd. F.A.Bde. and D. A. P. to 11th. F. A. Bde.

Previous posting of Officers was cancelled and following substituted:-

11th. F. A. Brigade        Major F. A. Hughes    to Command
                                      Lieut. P. J. Ross
                                      Lieut. S. F. Hodgens
                                      Lieut. T. W. Garling       Adjutant.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 11th F.A. Brigade]

Monday 6th March

Had a long conference this morning with Gen. White, Gen. Hobbs and Col. Christian re appointments to new Divisional Artillery. Gen. Hobbs was very loth to part with any officer, but eventually Major Rabett was definitely posted to me and also Lt. Richards as adjutant, while Major Caddy goes to Col. Christian. Lt. Vowles also goes to Christian but unless I am given another Brigade Commander from 1st Division I shall ask for Vowles. I hope now to get our machinery into working order and make a definite start with training.

I am told I am to have some men from 2nd Remount Squadron so I shall go into Zeitoun tomorrow to inspect and select. New Camp Site fixed for 4th Div. Artillery.

I am informed 1st and 2nd Divisions will leave almost at once while 4th Division will for the present take over FERRY POST Station at Ismailia, and 5th Division ditto at Serapeum. I presume when all danger of a Turkish attack is over we too shall move to France.

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

5th March 1916

Naked soldiers swimming their horses in the Suez Canal, March 1916.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P02132.001]

Sunday 5th March

Received message this morning asking me to call at Gen. Hobb’s Head Qrs. tomorrow at 11.30 to meet General White. I hope therefore that all Artillery appointments will be settled finally. Called on General Monash, Col. Glasfurd and Col. Glasgow re drivers, gunners, fitters, smiths etc. for transfer to 4th Divisional Artillery. Discussion with Gen. Monash re Officers Club. I informed him the Artillery had so much to do in reorganising that we should have no time to participate.

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