3rd April 1915

[michaeldr]

from ‘The Royal Naval Division’ by Douglas Jerrold

“On April 3rd, the Division was inspected at Port Said by the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Pierce and his Flag Captain (captain Burmester, RN) being present. The inspection passed off successfully, at least according to Sir Ian Hamilton, who notes in his Diary the next day that the Division “marched past very well indeed.” For a division, not by any means at its best on a parade ground, this was satisfactory. The day has, however, a painful significance, as it marked the beginning of Rupert Brooke’s illness, an illness not then, or for some days, diagnosed as serious, but which was to lead to the untimely death of one of the most brilliantly gifted Englishmen of his day”