Diary of Harold William Riggall 1916 - Part 1

To my Wife, Mrs H.W. Riggall

"Brewongle"

179 Kooyong Road

Toorak

Melbourne

Victoria 

Australia

Harold W Riggall

Harold W Riggall  MAJOR

COMDNG, 24^TH B^TY. 3^RD 21^st F.A. BDE 1^ST AUST. DIV

Opened on 17^th Febry 1916.

Closed on 26^th August 1916.

The Squares in this book are ¼ inch.

MAJOR
COMDNG.     DIV.
[*MAJOR

COMDNG, 24^TH B^TY. 3RD 21^st F.A BDE 1^ST AUST. DIV*]

MAJOR

COMDNG, 24^TH B^TY 3RD 21^st F.A BDE 1^ST AUST. DIV 

1

Thursday February 17^th 1916.          Tel-el-Kebir

At 9 o'clock this morning I received orders to

report to Gen. Hobbs at D.A.  I did so wondering what

was going to happen & found that I was to be given

command of a new battery to be formed which was

to form the 35^th Battery 12^th Brigade of the 4^th Division.

All the N.C.O's & men of this battery were drawn from

the 2^nd Bde 1^st Div.  Herb Byrne was to be my

Captain  Phil Teare senior subaltern & Bill Wallis

junior sub.  Old Hobbs had us formed up &

made his usual speech.
Friday February 18^th 1916.
We again assembled over at D.A. but this
time with the personel to form the new battery
amounting to 103 men exclusive of Sergeants &
Articifer Sergeants.  Hobbs made another
speech, most of which was made up of telling
us what fine fellows we were & praying us for
God's sake not to forget to salute the King's
commission wherever we saw it.
Saturday February 19^th 1916.
Nothing doing today except that Hobbs
inspected the lines in the morning.
Sunday February 20^th 1916
Took the new batteries up to the new
camping ground which we plotted out.  I am
at present Brigade Commander of the new Bde
as Lt Col Tunbridge has not yet arrived on the

2
scene & I am senior Captain - Capt. McLaughlin
& Capt. Jopp are the other battery Commanders.
Col. Rosenthal our Divisional Commander came up
as we were pitching tents & told us that the new
brigade was to form the nucleus of a new
Division.  So as far as I can understand every
man in my new battery should stand every chance
of becoming an N.C.O. in the new brigades which
will be formed from the 35^th Battery.  We are told
that for one month we will train & at the end of that
time recommendations will be made from the new
batteries of for N.C.O's for the other two brigades of the Division.
The new Division will be formed on a Territorial basis.
Monday February 21^st 1916.
Marched out of the 1^st Division this morning
at 9 AM. with my new battery into our new camp.
Col. Bassell-Browne spoke a few words to us before we
left.  Allotted the men tempy to sub sections for
the purpose of messing &c.  Today occupied with
fatigues & ordinary routine.
Tuesday February 22^nd
Slept at new 35^th Bty last night.  Had the
men out at 6-30 for marching drill which they
did very well indeed, made use of new sergeants
as instructors.  They all have a fair word of command.
Sgt. Neate knows very little but appears eager
to learn.  After breakfast & at afternoon parade
allowed Section Commanders to take their sections
for signalling.  Some of the men know it but

3
the majority have to start from the beginning.
Charge sheets received from 2^nd B.A.C. incomplete &
in such a state as one expects from Column.
Col. Tunbridge arrived today seemed pleased to
see me.  I think he feels lonely.  Wrote home to
my darling today.  (enclosed some photos).
Wednesday February 23^rd
Had the men out before breakfast for marching
drill at which they shew great improvement.
Fell in at 10 AM for inspection by Gen. Cox -
the new Commandant of the 4^th Division - & Gen.
Hobbs.  Gen. Cox who is an English General & was at
Helles in command of an English Infantry Division
arrived at 10-30 & went carefully through each
Battery personally speaking to each man.  He
took such a time over it that he did not finish until
one O'clock.  Gen. Hobbs had all the officers fallen
in into a hollow square - which was really a circle -
& made us a brief speech, in fact it was the truest
one he has made yet as he truthfully said that it
was to all our interests to leave him, at which
remark I could not help saying "Hear Hear"!
He then formally handed us over to Col. Rosenthal.
Gen. Cox also said a few words.  He said that the
6^th Bty A.F.A has supported his Division at
Helles & that no battery in the world could have
supported him better than the 6^th did.
Given the men a half holiday this afternoon
to go to the Sports of the 1^st Brigade.

4.
Discontent among the officers of the A.F.A. is very
strong tonight, some of us at the promotions, some
at the people who are recommended for decorations.
Hobbs is a thorough fool.  The little man's mind
is too confined to grasp big things.  To receive
notice here a man must speak loudly & often,
of his own work.  If one has not done any
never mind, invent.
Thursday Febry 24^th
Another change in the air.  We understand
the batteries are to be returned on a territorial basis.
Hobbs has been writing to numerous officers today telling
them that they are being superseded for promotion
wording his letter in the following offensive style. ".. I
do not consider that you possess the necessary
qualifications for promotion".  Some rattling fine
officers like Charlie Duffy & Major Caddy are being
overstepped while incompetent officers like Shah
& McGee are receiving their majorities.  But it is
worse among the subalterns, he seems to be promoting
the weak ones & neglecting the good one.  God help us
all with a man like Hobbs at the head of us.  In
fact we are all in a fit state to mutiny.
Friday Febry 25^th
Ordinance signaling &c.  Received orders at
midday that I was to command the 28^th Bty of
10^th Bde & that Major King was to be Brigadier
I was to have Lieuts McKay & Flemming as my
subs & my captain was to be appointed later.

-5-
The 29^th & 30^th Batteries were to be the other two
batteries in the 10^th Bde.  Lieut Byrne with Lieuts
Teare -, Collins & Drake were to go to the 30^th &
Capt. Edwards was to have the 29^th Bty with Lieuts
Thompson, Wallis & Leschem.  The 28^th & 30^th were
to be Victorian Batteries & the 29^th was to be West
Australian.  Major King being away in Cairo I
find myself temporaly in command of the 10^th Bde
4^th Division.
I looked out for ground to pitch tents but found
none so got the Bde Major (Capt Waite) to give me
half of Col. Tunbridge's.
Pitched tents lines for 30^th Bty this afternoon &
divided the Victorian men up equally with Herb Byrne.
Saturday Febry 26^th
Fell in all the Victorians & W.A's this morning
& allotted them to their batteries.
A hell of a day with returns &c.  Being Bde
Commander as well as Bty Commander no good to
me, with a new Bde that has no staff.  Lieut
Sinclair is Adjutant.  Issued my first Bde
Order tonight & am quite proud of it.
Received your Cable today re Moultan, will
meet it alright as my leave has been granted.
Sunday Febry 27^th
Fell in men at 6-30 for half an hours drill &
again at 9 when I showed them how I wished their
kits rolled & put out each morning.  When they did this
& I had inspected the lines, dismissed the men.
Received letter from you dated Jany 24^th & 25^th

-6-
Monday Febry 28^th
Ordinary parades today.  Major King returned
to duty & assumed command of 10^th Bde.
Tuesday Febry 29^th
Major King held a parade of the 10^th Bde
this morning & afterwards inspected the lines.
expressed himself as very satisfied with what had been
done up to date.  Made me (being senior battery commander)
Mess President (damn).  Getting all my trophies packed
up ready to take with me to Port Said to hand to Tet.
Bennett's are among them so don't give any away as
some of them are his to be held by you for safe
keeping & returned to him when he asks for them.
Quite excited about seeing your Mother & Tet soon.
There is to be a dinner in Cairo on Saturday night
next of the old gunner officers of the 2^nd Brigade &
although I did not come with the original first lot
they have all expressed a wish to have me come too
because as they say I was with them at Mena &
landed first of the lot at Anzac.
Wednesday March 1^st
Ordinary parades today.  Classes of instruction
commences for officers, N.C.O's & men who wish to qualify
for promotion.  Intend to go to the classes to keep my
eye on the young officers & on the budding N.C.O's.
Catching the train to Port Said to meet the Moultan
at Port Said.  Expect to return on Friday night

-7-
Did not go to Port Said today after all.  Wired yesterday
to P&O's Agents & received reply "Moultan arrive noon
Friday".  So stayed in camp & did the usual routine
of work.  Saw Major Miles today (he is Brigade Major
to the 1^st Div. as Anderson is getting his step & a brigade
in the new formations being formed, & Miles told me
that some of the officers that are being appointed to high
commands in the infantry are too awful for words.
That's the best of the Artillery, for though promotion
may be slow yet I think that taking them all round
the officers know their jobs well.  I will not have
any chance of rising beyond a Major unless we have
heavy casualties which God forbid.  But a Major's
command in Artillery is the finest command of the
lot.  Any higher command under modern conditions
is almost a staff job.
Thursday March 2^nd
Same routine drill.  The position of the new formation
at present is very insecure.  As far as I can understand
everything at the moment lies in the hands of Hobbs &
Johnstone.  General Birdwood requires two divisions
of Australian Artillery to be ready to take the field
immediately, but they are to be reformed under the
new establishment, namely: - Four batteries to a
Brigade instead of three as formerly & also a Howitzer
Brigade to each Division.  The batteries are to be
under the command of either a Major or Captain
with four subalterns, so my promotion seems as
far away as ever it did.  The only hope I have

-8-
is that in each Brigade one of the Batteries must be
under the command of a Major, but I am afraid there
are enough majors at present without them having to
make any more.  Besides if Hobbs can help it he will
never give me my step.  He has never loved me since I had
words with him in Melbourne.  But to continue, if
Hobbs & Johnstone can reform their two divisions
under the new establishment without recalling the
officers & men posted last week to the new formations
we will remain where we are at present, but if not
they will have to recall us & I suppose we will be
split up among the 1^st & 2^nd Divisions as required.
I fear the latter course will have to be adopted as
I cannot see where Hobbs & Johnstone will get the
officers from to go to the twelve new batteries to be
formed in the 1^st & 2^nd Divisions unless they recall
us us.  This messing about makes one inclined
to throw up the sponge.  But by tomorrow the
present scheme may be abandoned & a new
one adopted.  The Powers that be don't seem to
know their own mind for twenty four hours ahead.
I am catching the 8 o'clock train this evening up
to Port Said & hope to see Mrs Appleton & Tettie
tomorrow & although they will see me with
my crown up Goodness knows how soon it will
come down again.  I hope to go through to
Suez with them if they do not stay long at
Port Said.  I will be away for two days, &
expect a lot will have happened here by the time I return

-9-
At 4 o'clock received orders to report to Gen Hobbs at D.A.I
Found about thirty other officers there.  Told of new scheme
in which I was to receive command of a new battery to be
formed in the 2^nd Bde 1^st Div.  Left for Port Said by
8 o'clock train
Friday March 3^rd
Arrived Port Said at 2 AM.  Got room at Eastern
Exchange Hotel.  Did a little shopping & told boat would
arrive at midnight.  Lay down after dinner to get a
little sleep, told hotel people to wake me up when
boat arrived.  I did not undress.

Saturday March 4^th
Got up at 4 AM went downstairs & was told Moultan had
arrived, waited until daybreak when I went on board.
Had breakfast on board & then we all went ashore.
Sent Cable to you.  Mrs Appleton & Tet saw me off by
12 o'clock train.  Reached Tel el Kebir at 3 o'clock
& found all the original officers of the 2^nd Bde on
the station waiting to catch train to go up to Cairo for the
reunion dinner.  Went on to Cairo with them.  Told
I had been posted to new battery in the 3^rd Bde.
Had our dinner at "National".  Went to bed as soon
as dinner was over & let the others go off round the town
without me.
Sunday March 5^th
Went to the Monstry in the morning & could not
get the bit of amber that Tet wanted.  Told merchant in
the amber bazaar what I wanted & he is going to make
one for me.  Went out to Mena & the Zoo in the

-10-
afternoon & caught the 6-15 train back to Tel-el-Kebir.
Monday March 6^th
Our birthday today my darling.  Many happy
thoughts to you sweetheart.  Another distribution of
officers & men to day.  A conference took place between
Gen. White & the Divisional Commanders this morning.
At 3 o'clock the 35^th Battery is reformed & becomes a
howitzer battery under Capt. Alec Forbes. [Scheme now
is that each brigade consists of 4 batteries & there is a
howitzer brigade to each Division of Artillery]
I am officially told that I am posted to the Third brigade
to form & take command of the new 18 pdr battery in that
brigade which will be known as the 24^th Battery.  My
address now is 24^th Battery
Third Brigade
First Division
A.F.A.
Reported myself to Major Burgess.
Received your dear Cable. "Many Happy returns
"together Received Parcel call Anglo Egyptian Bank
"Cairo twenty well love.  Riggall  at 8 P.M.
Tuesday March 7^th
Moved to Third Brigade & had a long interview with
Major Burgess.  Put in recs for tents & equipment.
Received officers : - Lieut Lloyd, Lieut Healey & Lieut
Rickard.  Shewn my sight to pitch camp.
Told will be leaving for France or England in about
three weeks with our men horses & harness.  Leaving