Diary of Brigadier General Harold Edward 'Pompey' Elliott, 15th Brigade August 1918-April 1919 Part 5

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM2018.19.97
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 13

15 pch. Wesday B.M. Vinterl the Bde tchool & relictio uts y Rile rarget bnt horts rep to Dio. 16 Oct. - Sport Committee met & agranged proeramore of port wooltoll walces ils 17th Od. Training continued. Yere 1oobl colledt 18t Oct 14t 6 it. Aive Hobls called firth me grens to the School & impected same. He roned patispect 28tOct Sunday. With Coptday I virited the Baitlofield of bressy haw thold church. 1slentury normor architecture. Modem monument erecledly pullic subrccrptures of France Lunenley & Rohemen to those killed in Mr Battle in the warbet Peace. After lurct brove I th Sprt when King Sdirard so veerved the Bastle from a windmill. This mill was destioyed about the leginning of this centrery Ino th Earther mod or ewet it dood still renains. We divocalss tthe ot when an old luttered stone cross monpe the pnt whio the Krng of Bohernia fill. I to pedutal
has ben recently sistered a cnbllited with guotations from Toissart whontnewed the sselts. Dull mescialle day Br M. Norted 21s the school at Sricourt where they an fillitted w th wation a fie oea Bulding 222d Dull day. Gent Hoths came & inspected our transport is the atternoon. Very good hurnout 23rd Heavy fog the this morning but morning fine. B.M. Visied Schove Huppy in Afternoon S.P.O.L. Mnajn Forles come pound Sristt Bn with prigade major. M fullosts called. and I gave him a thost account it dom opuation since July 4- he hauglen away with a broke am. In the afternoon I went in t Affenicle with Capt Salmnn & Virited there the 3d A.S.H. toke lol bue Gutheridge who is now in Command there. Hecon as Capt my port Moir 3t M Fere dull morning cleared a little 24 towards afternoon, 59 M would marched onyttheir Sports tomorrow Col Brucke Hlapt Primmerg cane to in ss. 25 - Held t meeting of Brigade be Miort teligates decided to make date of Norts 600r
26t Sot. bent B.M. to loyn School t attend a compred Demonstation of 1.M & N. Euns sts ender lommond of Capt P.W. Seuny of the 13of 17oct. I med orders for Padad of Bryalle uniton 5 90 Ground by yor innectin by. S.O.C. Did 28fit. Fine day. I had releavsal of beremonial Perade - a deal slackness in small points noted 2o bet San woth inpeeted the Bgde or &t Batt Carade Fround Very five day. thow very succemful 50.0. very complinentar Seefe Brigade 3dOct. I viritec myade He hoot 3et. majnneclsor of the C.H.G Inspector of Maiy Hass am breletted withno i connectuwth Towry inprence somorrow Hriffe Nor. With Major Weilm P0's B.M. loy bndrs attended a Mawin Conference at Dro HeadQuarler at bisement, we had a Demonitiater with o tho Semonitiation Plaloorof Sir for the afternoon I attended a lorpo Enjerence at 2 tir Headduartin General Rawlmin came then weror but we should argain
story y the meat ho brought Borche nacture give doen to tmiend t tell Cound a Panie Amryr i Milest H.P.M.s on a Chilians be required very mhortly in the line. The 10p 410Di -leary tho longest out would be fust tyo lack about the beennr of next wet ray 4N 5t I 2 at muster poade wo held throughout whole Corps chrea to roud in Senstent Shentee No abrenter for this dryado. Io one of the Ctreas a man was shot dead or drawnga rerolver to unst arrest. He bad no identifient- rorks. He mas ussing atnatio unform but from other endences believed thave actually beer a toming 3pot A tendea confrenceat Dr He at disement will BM. SC. & B Commenders & direced lrsom of necent fichting + it, in agried thato training had ben or the right lines for part 12 months Hnose. In morning attended mt 6 Det. Fine day. I rode outwil B Ms i afternoon vew ground for proposed Brigade exercere Iwnover pleased mtr Site Weher also
7t 5 Oct Very ict & misenabledo bent for lol bcaulor & reprosed him for a growig wands tympathy with his mes ad sopcens & tc enpuered n afternoon Corps Iattended conferce at Lore 1s to H. is or drainin wayi deve manse being in the chair. Dot. Very net miscrable day. Had t carcel om mopored odr Maid- Brigade Exercine fined for today. B.M. went to ne Bgde rehool Wot. Duel & threatering weather but renained fin +we held a Very incecorful sportoneeting Mnos Birdwood A Teneral don has present, & at te closedistubtinn Prizes Seve Hoth also present the Baconers Madame Du Ploy this sisted tin children were jnevnt also some muses from the Horptal in Afferille. Hat. Curried or training with are advance nand Icheme obeyng towards ercourt cairly well carriedt out. Naw hedd offuntes
enerin unswer & then commued Peace Enoys reached Panis yesterday & last night there were great yyorcings in Mr Villaage as is ous rumoured that the swvoys lad rigned all armistice agreeng to all the provisin laid doin by the allies, to for them appines for this to be io goundation sam belief. Late the war correded The lermof Heonotice lave ben communicated to the Derman envoye & they have gone back to lay them before their sook. They are t reply Fet or noby 11an Morclay. Bryade School gaveadavce & WAKS 9M. The day was byldo, five slightpolt a morning. the oer Coninterder inspected th Bryady Scho DC. Scemed patisfied capt sorlar relumedors nicht. Whapmon in togo ap Brigade Major St Bryade Det Sunday. Thuch pearades 11 Not. muskety. Sas Mjjector demoth 12 HV. Carried out Outhors Schere i evening. Beautiful mornlight maks very cold ceavenonnatin 9.3 om
13 NcW. lalled conference of all Hupry officers & dealt, with the foult disclosed at outpost Traimig n evening I went to Dis Headzer had dinner & attuded toncert ar biremont. 142 Taining weathe very coldoporty 15t ac 16t5 Carried out a waste march about 10 meles Well carried out very porty. Bands conded wrell. saw yeere try to san on pogemfond with laughable results. It small boy rent in to resene one often it became expainted. In afternoon we attended a conference will Dinoual Commader at Orvement &were told we were brom part of anny occupation in remany under l Karlinoor. it night dined with 370M no ey a chared a ladgeon the pelds on my since T Sunday, Held Thanpogirny fervice. Very cold. Hi commender attended 18th Monday. Divisional Sports. 8th Migade wm earily we were recond 19t5 Tuuesday, Maming Bn Nouto marches 20th Wednerday. Brigade sout march Sivisiral Commander wratched the
Story of hot thlmon ar Drvision Majothey. John my Bal t Him Tharpes my pencet Pobs ture & Beng my Ohremation Balvon prigade pass by Fauly good showing very cold & posty. Denver Fog everywhere it Belgian intirpuctys was attached ba a dayor so ago. He was a forr mrurity Atudent before the covr & was one of the jisst engaged in eetionwher the Borches emalled BeCquim. 21s Very porty morning. Hay clear with I ground mut everywhere. Fine Hoth called & told me that the i Britest Aiy Cincluding orlves) were not going to Semnany apall as Foch considered that the Hon wns so demoralised that he would not eequire to more many twope praid & reduced the mimber ociginally decided upn by 50d, orl one Butist Anny the 2nd is to go. Jack Roberts called. He is now a fully flidged pilot in thotlying Corps 22d For very frosty hut five. We had a Rehealoal Revecw this morning In afternoon we received wornin of more to be catean ctrea whit commences on the 25th Jnos
Mayothn 20 Mor. Saturday. There was a reniost 23nd General Tinys Brigade near bisement today. Ihear it went of petty well I didnogs but send sollen my B.M. day my flaff Cayss in leare & tuthof France caught onfluenza & mied fr extenmo to end ofmonth which I agreed to. we received prelimrary waining of entraintment t be catian chrea. The day was very grorty but fine 24 Nov Sunday, Receved our orders to entram Brigade tomorrow and Tuerday at DHeville. It reaied a little lastnight causing rlight thars It is dull + thre atening today. We ar wrrning one orders for the more. Division sent me warning. a confuence at Corps Head 2rs or Tesday afternoon lat will of convre be subject to om arrival there. If the train up go no quickes than these we came dow by om arrival in time is to raythe leash very problinatical. 25 Mos. Movement of Brigade commenced ett 4 sopin a can cocent Lood myself Geve Firey & Sine
tteruit forward. We guied at Amen and ead great difficulty gestng a dod all the Holetsbeingfull. Trenmalt ae tne durcliatou Branding House. Reget Honoegouds off the Bonlwrard. Had a good dinner but nothin much & the may of a Bedsoo which stewoust II shared yereyhad a rparntroom 26 No. Kernined one puney travelling vis Albert. Buffar lawbrar to Le cation after lunch we had a Conjerence. Tt was anmouned t Senl Monast was to ot Lodon as Drectors Simolitization, Give Both wa to secesst the corp Sen Berdwood was to secan ommand of the Ch.RD. Kob it was amnounced that siven was somecee Hoth i e command of the Bindnood adys Su like tolddan of the Dead refeises the stakenty
ther was announced also the sovemment pogisming for Derohliagion & estimated tat it will take at leart 12 months tput al buck in intirti. meantire all vortoof pekemes are tohe got under weight Iducational slo Brrdwodd cought sight of the miniation 60DColon which since the dissolivtion I have corn a memory of them and at once contenced to Chalter & wter at it like a demented monkey wbat is you ken evearing. I pand Dercan that in memory of tho 600P Ginto Wer he mapped, a Myadeer farouig one ofhs Batte raid that Battalion in longer enst fmirg about it like went a pcalder co I put i an said ✓ applicaton towear it at the hom the dislutiona carried out + have had no reply
Oh yovill get a reply all right wher it tomes falong & with that he fhledout of the won calling hul monars & Hobb tfollow lim or all the world like a Cockwren shis Harem I cannt sray what recuned but evidently Monash put theckid for him & he came back o fauly stobbered mme We wanted t thant me for gelting the Desolntio carned out no smoothty shust we was enfoised was due t my aringth weight of my personal influend with thome & that he was ijomed also that this made prosible the carryont of the Henolutino other cmton tprce Inpi I wold him it ims wanl due boy yar o, he sid I am mue it wns due agreat dine to your personal influence & syou nculcalst of a Brigade Feeling in your Brigade. the little wot Inomilted I mention that he was one of the greatest of stacks to thwimabut of a Bryade tin
in the Beginning of confirnce we eere bedyvarious coperding changes Brdwood to my gorror revaning J.O.C.A.S.d. Monbet togo to sordon as dircctor o senesligition. Hobls the G.d.C. sent horps severy to comad Di We were instructed t creats a morale prorable & tho progress of churtialin, senre & increare the productiveness of Hustialia as the only means of paying off the burder of debt wnict threaters to overwhelm us which is increasny daily at notoof Poorrvoss a week £ so on on militory side Moannouned tbat the 4t Hirny of which we frined apoit was not now Going into Fermany at all but the baonly & only a totalef 11Darm I which there would be bodconadion New sealand Divesion. Some lulk of two Hintuliondusn going in to relieve the Cnadeos but nothing nttled on that Bushrood is like on old man of the fia window necks oor on Boch

15th Oct. Wet day.  B.M. Visited the 
Bde School & selected sets of Rifle ranges etc. 
Sent Sports up to Div.   
16th Oct.- Sports Committee met & arranged 
programme of Sports football matches 
etc. 
17th Oct. Training continued. Genl Hobbs called 
18th Oct.     "                " 
19th Oct. Genl Hobbs called & with me 
went to the School & inspected 
same. He seemed satisfied.
 20th Oct. Sunday. With Capt Lay I visited 
the Battle Field of Cressy Saw 
the old Church. 12th Century Norman 
architecture. Modern monument 
erected by public subscriptions of France
Luxemburg & Bohemia to those 
killed in the Battle in the market 
Place. After lunch drove to the spot 
where King Edward III viewed 
the Battle from a windmill. This 
mill was destroyed about the  
beginning of this Century but the 
earthen mound on which it 
stood still remains.  We drove also 
to the spot where an old battered stone 
cross marked the spot where the  
King of Bohemia fell. Its pedestal 

 

has been recently restored & embellished  
with quotations from Froissart 
who witnessed the Battle. 
21st Dull miserable day. Br M visited  
the School at Gricourt where they 
are billetted at the Chateau a fine 
old Building. 
22nd Dull day. Genl Hobbs came & 
inspected our transport in the 
afternoon. Very good turn out 
23rd Heavy fog cold this morning but 
[*Huppy*] morning fine. B.M. visited School 
in Afternoon G. S.O. 2 Major Forbes 
came round to visit Bn with 
Brigade Major. Mr Tullock called. 
and I gave him a short account 
of our operations since July 4th 
he having been away with a broken 
arm. In the afternoon I went in 
to Abbeville with Capt Salmon & visited 
there the 3rd A.G.H. to see Col Eric 
Gutheridge who is now in Command  
there. He was as Capt my first MO in Div 7th
24th Fine dull morning cleared a little 
towards afternoon, 59th Bn route 
marched owing to their Sports tomorrow 
Col Bruche & Capt Cumming came 
to see us. 
25th Held sports meeting of Brigade re
Sports delegates I decided to make date of
Sports 6th Nov 

 

26th Oct.  Sent B.M. to Corps School to 
attend a combined Demonstration 
of T.M & M. Guns etc under Command 
of Capt C.W Scurry of the 13 Bgde
27. Oct. I received orders for Parade of  
Brigade unit on 59th Ground by for 
inspection by G.O.C. Div.
28th Oct. Fine day. I had rehearsal 
of Ceremonial Parade - a deal 
of slackness in small points noted. 
29th Oct Genl Hobbs inspected the Bgde 
on 59th Battn Parade Ground. Very 
fine day. Show very successful 
& G.O.C very complimentary to 
Self & Brigade. 
30th Oct. I visited Brigade School 
31st Oct. Major Neilsen of the C.H.Q staff 
Inspector of Training Staff was billetted 
with us in connection with Training 
Conference Tomorrow 
[*Huppy*]
1st Nov. With Major Neilsen C.O's B.M, 
LC & Coy Cmdrs attended a Training  
Conference at Div Head Quarters at 
Oisement. We had a Demonstration
with of the Demonstration Platoon of Div 
In the afternoon I attended a 
Corps Conference at 2nd Div Head Quarters 
General Rawlinson came there &  
told us that we should again

 

Story of the men who brought a Bosche 
machine gun down to Amiens to 
sell. Caused a Panic amongst 
the Militia A.P.M.'s and Civilians 
 

be required very shortly in 
the line . The 1st & 4th Div 
being the longest out would be 
first & go back about the beginning 
of next week say 4th or 5th Inst. 
2nd Nov. A muster parade was held 
throughout whole Corps Area 
to round up Deserters & Absentees 
No absentees for this Brigade. In 
one of the Areas a man was shot 
dead in drawing a revolver to
resist arrest. He had no identification 
marks. He was wearing Australian 
uniform but from other evidence is 
believed to have actually been a "Tommy" 
3rd Nov. Attended Conference at 
Div HQ. at Oisement with 
B.M. S.C. & Br Commanders 
& discussed lessons of recent 
fighting & it is agreed that our
training had been in the 
right lines for past 12 months 
& more. In morning attended Dentist
4th Nov. Fine day. I rode out with 
B.M. in afternoon to view ground 
for Proposed Brigade exercise 
I was very pleased with it. 
Visited Behen also.  

 

5th Nov. Very wet & miserable day. 
Sent for Col Scanlon & reproved
him for a growing sense of 
Sympathy with his men
& officers & he seemed 
impressed. In afternoon 
I attended Corps conference at Leige
1st Div H.Q. on Training major Gnl
Monash being in the chair. 
6th Nov.  Very wet miserable day. Had 
to cancel our proposed Adv 
Guard-Brigade Exercise formed for
today. B.M. went to our Bgde
School. 
7th Nov. Dull & threatening weather 
but remained fine & we held a  
very successful sports meeting. 
Miss Birdwood the General's daur
was present & at the close distributed 
Prizes. Genl Hobbs also present. 
Madame the Baroness Du Ploy & her sister & 
two children were present also
some nurses from the Hospital in 
Abbeville.
8th Nov. Carried on training with 
an Advanced Guard Scheme 
towards & beyond Ercour & Fairly well 
carried out. Rain held off until 

 

exercise was over & then commenced 
Peace Envoys reached Paris 
yesterday & last night there were  
great rejoicings in The Village 
as it was rumoured that 
the Envoys had signed A.. an
Armistice agreeing to all 
the provisions laid down by 
the allies. So far there appears 
to be no foundation for this 
belief. Later. This rumour was corrected. 
The terms of Armistice have been 
communicated to the German 
envoys & they have gone back 
to lay them before their Gnl. They 
are to reply yes or no by 11 am 
Monday. Brigade School gave a dance to WAACs
9th Nov. The day was bright &  
fine slight frost in morning. The 
Air Commander inspected the 
Brigade School.. Seemed satisfied 
Capt Gollan returned last 
night. Chapman is to go 
as Brigade Major to 5th Brigade 
10th Nov. Sunday. Church Parades 
11th Nov. Frustrating.  Gms rejected terms of treaty
12th Nov. Carried out Outpost Scheme 
in evening. Beautiful morning but 
night very cold. Cleared formation 9.30pm 

 

13th Nov. Called conference of all 
[*Huppy*] officers & dealt with the faults 
disclosed out in Outpost Training 
In evening I went to Div Head Qtr 
had dinner & attended Concert 
at Ocremont.
14th Training weather very cold & frosty 
15th  "           "
16th Carried out a route march 
about 10 miles. Well carried out 
Very frosty. Bands marched well. 
Saw Geese try to swim in frozen pond 
with laughable results. A small boy sent  
in to rescue one after it became 
exhausted. In afternoon we attended 
a Conference with Divisional 
Commanders at Ocremont & were told 
we were to form part of Army of 
Occupation in Germany under 
Genl Rawlinson. At night dined with 37th Bn
got up & chased a badger across the fields on way home
17th Sunday. Held Thanksgiving 
Service. Very cold. Air Commander 
attended. 
18th Monday. Divisional Sports. 8th Brigade 
won easily we were second 
19th Tuesday. Training Bn route marches
 20th Wednesday Brigade route march 
Divisional Commander watched the

 

Story of Bob Salmon at Division
Maj King "John" my BM told 
him. Sharpen my pencil 
BM  Sure Bring my sharpeners
Baloon
 

Brigade pass by. Fairly good 
showing. Very cold & frosty. Dense 
fog everywhere. A Belgian 
interpreter was attached to us 
a day or so ago. He was a form 
University Student before the war & 
was one of the first engaged in 
Action when the Bosches invaded 
Belgium. 
21st Very frosty morning. Day clear 
with a ground mist everywhere. Genl 
Hobbs called & told me that the 4th 
British Army (including ourselves) were 
not going to Germany after all 
as French considered that the Hun 
was so demoralised that he would 
not require to move many troops 
forward & reduced the number 
originally decided upon by 50% only 
one British Army the 2nd  was to go 
Jack Roberts called. He is now a fully 
fledged pilot in the Flying Corps. 
22nd Nov. Very frosty but fine. We had a 
Rehearsal Review this morning 
In afternoon we received warning 
of move to Le Cateau Area which 
commences on the 25th Inst 

 

23rd Nov Saturday. There was a review of
General Tiveys Brigade near 
Oisemont today. I hear it 
went off pretty well. I didn't go 
but sent Gollan my B.M.  Lay
my Staff Capt on leave to South of
France caught Influenza & wired
for extension to end of month which 
I agreed to. We received preliminary 
summary of entrainment to Le Cateau
Area. The day was very frosty but fine. 
24th Nov Sunday. Received our orders to 
entrain Brigade tomorrow and Tuesday. 
at Abbeville. It rained a little 
last night causing slight thaw 
It is dull & threatening today. 
We are receiving our orders for the 
move. Division sent me warning of 
a conference at Corps Head Qrs 
on Tuesday afternoon. That 
will of course be subject to our 
arrival there. If the trains up go 
no quicker than those we came down 
by our arrival in time is to say the
least very problematical. 
25th Nov. Movement of Brigade commenced 
At 4.30pm a car called & 
took myself Genl Tivey & Genl 

 

Stewart forward. We arrived 
at Amiens and had great 
difficulty getting a bed all the 
Hotels being full. Eventually we 
were directed to a Boarding 
House. Regent House - just 
off the Boulevard. Had 
a good dinner but nothing 
much in the way of a Bedroom 
which Stewart & I shared. 
Tivey had a separate room 
26th Nov. Resumed our journey  
travelling via Albert, Bapaume
Cambrai to Le Cateau.
After lunch we had a  
conference. It was announced 
that Genl Monash was to 
go to London as Director of  
Demobilization, Genl Hobbs 
was to succeed to the Corps 
Gen Birdwood was to retain  
Command of the A.I.F. Later 
it was announced that  
Tivey was to succeed Hobbs in 
Command of the 3th Div 
Birdwood clings to us like 
the Old Man of the Sea &  
refuses to be shaken off 

 

There was announced also the  
Government programme for 
Demobilization & estimated 
that it will take at least 
12 months to put all of us 
back in Australia. Meantime 
all sorts of schemes are to be got 
under weight. Educational etc.
Birdwood caught sight of the
miniature 60th Colours which 
since their dissolution I have 
worn in memory of them 
and at once commenced to 
chatter and jibber at it like a 
demented monkey_ 
What is that, you are wearing.? 
I said I wear that in 
memory of the 60th Bn. 
Quite wrong, he snapped, a Brigadier 
favoring one of his Battns
I said "That Battalion no 
longer exists". 
He went on fuming about it like 
a scalded cat. 
I said "I put in an 
application to wear it at 
the time the dissolution was 
carried out & have had no reply 

 

Oh you'll get a reply all right when 
it comes along & with that he 
flirted out of the room calling Genls 
Monash & Hobbs to follow him
for all the world like a Cock wren 
& his Harem. 
I cannot say what recurred but 
evidently Monash put the chill
I on him & he came back & fairly 
slobbered over me. 
He wanted to thank me for getting 
the dissolution carried out 
so smoothly which he was informed 
was due to my using the weight 
of my personal influence with 
the men & that he was informed 
also that this made possible the 
carrying out of the Dissolution of 
other units in the force & so forth
I told him it was mainly due 
to my officers. 
Oh no, he said, I am sure it 
was due a great deal to your 
personal influence & to your 
inculcation  of a Brigade Feeling 
in your Brigade. 
The little worm omitted to mention that 
he was one of the greatest obstacles to
the formation of a Brigade himself 

 

in the Beginning. At the
conference we were told of various 
impending changes. Birdwood to my
sorrow remaining G.O.C. A.I.F. Monash 
to go to London as Director of  
Demobilization. Hobbs the G.O.C Aust
Corps. Tivey to command 5th Div 
We were instructed to create 
a morale favourable to the progress 
of Australia, desire to increase the 
productiveness of Australia as the 
only means of paying off the burden 
of debt which threatens to 
overwhelm us & which is increasing 
daily at rate of £100,000,000 a week 
& so on. 
On military note it was announced 
that the 4th Army of which we 
formed a part was not ever
going into Germany at all but 
the 2nd only & only a total of 11 Divisions 
of which there would be two Canadian 
& 1 New Zealand Division. Some 
talk of two Australian Divisions 
going in to relieve the Canadians 
but nothing settled on that. 
Birdwood is like an old man of the Sea 
round our necks or on our Backs

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