Letters from Robert Mactier VC to his sister Belle Crawford and other papers, c.1912-c.1962 - Part 7

THE ARGUS, SATURDAY, 23 NOV 1918 Page 8
TAKING OF MONT ST. QUENTIN
GLORY FOR THE 2nd AUSTRALIAN
DIVISION
[*1^st Sept 1918*]
SUCCESS OF THE VICTORIAN
BRIGADE
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT)
LONDON, Sept. 20 - "The finest single
feat of the war." So Sir John Monash,
commander of the Australian Corps, described
the taking of Mont St. Quentin
in an army order thanking Major-General
C. Rosenthal and the men of the 2nd Australian
Division for their wonderful work
at the end of August, and the first two or
three days of September. During the past
week I came across a number of Victorian
officers who took part in the battle, and
they have given me an idea of the doings
of their men, which it is a pleasure to put
on record for the benefit of their friends
and relatives at home. This is the easier
as the despatches of Sir Douglas Haig have
recently given credit to special English
divisions for particularly brilliant work,
so there can be no harm in giving the
5th, 6th, and 7th Infantry Brigades of the
2nd Australian Division the full credit for
an exploit which Lieutenant-General Monash
has himself characterised in such glowing
terms. In the same army order addressed
to Major-General Rosenthal, the
Australian commander said that the performances
of the division since they resumed
duty in the line at the end of August
have been on the highest place of merit.
"While all troops and services of the division
have contributed to these great successes,
no one will begrudge the singling
out of Brigadier-General Martin and the
5th Australian Brigade for special praise.
The capture of Mont St. Quentin has
evoked a chorus of praise throughout the
press of the world as the finest single feat
of the war, and this high enconium is richly
deserved. The subsequent decisive fence of
that important key position by the 6th and
7th Brigades was no less been notable. I wish
you to convey to all ranks of the division
my heartiest appreciation of all this fine
work."
GENERAL RAWLINSON'S MESSAGE
At the same time General Birdwood sent
his hearty congratulations to General Rosenthal
and the 2nd Division, and General
Rawlinson, the Fourth Army commander,
telegraphed:-
"The capture of Mont, St. Quentin by
the 2nd Division is a feat of arms worthy
of the highest praise. The natural strength
of the position is immense, and the whole
tactical value of it in reference to Peronne
and the whole system of the Somme defences
cannot be over-estimated. I am
filled with admiration at the gallantry and
the surpassing daring of the 2nd Division
in winning this important fortress."
It will be remembered that Mr. C. W.
Bean telegraphed at the time that Mont.
St. Quentin was first taken by the New
South Welshmen of the 5th Australian
Infantry Brigade, but that the hill-top was
lost under a heavy counter-attack and retaken
the next day by the Victorians of
the 6th Brigade. It was to this unit that
several wounded Victorians of whom I
have spoken, belonged, and it is their story
which I will now set out.
For several days the Victorian lads had
been advancing south of the Somme upon
Peronne, accompanied by their comrades of
the 7th Brigade. At the end of August
[missing text supplied from the following 2 pages]
orders came for the New South Welshmen
of the 5th Brigade to cross to the north of
the Somme, where the 3rd Australian Division
was at work, having captured Maricourt,
among other places. On August 30
the New South Welshmen swept through
Clery-on-Somme, and working along the
banks of the river, which are covered with
weeds and marsh, found themselves face to
face with the old-world town of Peronne
and the fortress of Mont St Quentin. It
first became famous in this way when the
French army sought to take Peronne in the
first battle of the Somme, and found its
best efforts frustrated by the defenders of
Mont St. Quentin. Mont St Quentin as
its name indicates lies high and overlooks
Peronne. The houses are in terrace-like
formation, the houses being higher on the
left. An ancient wall runs the lower
part of the town, and formed the first rampart
of the German defences. On the
Peronne side, the ground sloped gently towards
the Somme, and there was some
wooded country. The enemy had machine-guns
in these copses, and the houses, which
rose in tiers above the old wall, were also
fitted up as machine-gun emplacements.
Needless to say, all the houses were in
ruins—bricks rather than houses.
Such was the place which the 5th Brigade
rushed on the 30th August and captured
taking 1,200 prisoners, largely from
the trenches in front of the hill town.
But it was one thing to take, and another
to hold. The Germans were just as well
aware of the strategic worth of Mont St.
Quentin as our own command. Another
Australian brigade was struggling for the
city of Peronne on the German left, and
must fail in its effort if the high ground of
Mont St. Quentin was not taken by the
British. The German commander immediately
organised a heavy counter-attack, and
flung the gallant New South Welshmen
from the summit of the citadel. Bodies of
them continued to cling to the system
of trenches lower down, from which they had
thrust the Germans the day before.
TAKEN, LOST, AND RETAKEN
It is to the honour of the 5th Brigade
that the Germans never wholly dispossessed
them of their prize. This is doubtless the
reason General Monash singled them out
for special praise. Nevertheless, when the
Victorians of the 6th Brigade came up on
August 31 the work had to be done again.
Mont St Quentin still remained to be
taken. Like the 5th Brigade, the Victorians
came through Clery in artillery formation;
that is in uneven files, so that the violent
shell fire which they were experiencing
should only single out individuals and not
account for platoons or companies. While
the position on Mont St. Quentin was still
shrouded in doubt, it was clear that the
ground between the hill and Peronne itself
was not taken. A battalion of Victorians
was detailed to do that work. It marched
up to Halle, and, finally, reached a set of
trenches before St. Quentin. The shell and
machine-gun fire was so brisk from the
German position that there was no longer
room for doubt. It was evident that the
6th Brigade would have to attack at dawn.
But the Victorians were heroes of Pozieres,
Flers and Broodseinde. They rejoiced in
the prospect of work which might mean
glory. Not only were the German machine
gunners in the ruins of the brick houses,
but they were hidden in Anvil Wood, to
the south of the Mont. There was certainly
work, and there might be glory, in plenty.
Two battalions of the 6th Brigade were
detailed to commence the attack, with the
rest of the unit in reserve, the attack connecting
up with the effort of the 3rd division,
which was still going forward on the
north. Every hour the task got more difficult.
During the night strong parties of
Germans came down from the summit of
Mont St Quentin, and occupied the
trenches, from which the Australians designed
to "hop off." The Germans were
well supplied with machine-guns All this
was found out at dawn —half past 4—the
zero time of the attack being 6 o'clock.
There was all too little time for clearing
up to a position. The Germans were playing
with machine-guns across the road by
which the 6th (Victorian) Brigade had to
reach its position. Each man in the attacking
units dashed across separately.
Some, of course, were shot down, but pluck
carried the majority through.
POSSIBLE VICTORIA CROSS
Then it became necessary to rush the
trenches in which the German machine-gunners
were sitting at their ugly game.
Half measures were useless. There was no
time for flank attacks. Private Mactier
who was killed, was especially brave in
leading the rush. Those with him swept
right into the German post, killed a dozen,
possible more, Germans and captured the
rest. Then, with good aid from the artillery,
the two battalions went over the top.
It was grim work. On the right a company
was held up by German machine-gunners
in a sugar factory and other first-class
defensive positions. But the rest
went forward, using old British or German
trenches as much possible. So they came
to the foot of the town, just below the
great wall. Here they found men of the
Fifth Brigade, still hanging on to the positions
they had captured—isolated bodies,
but showing the splendid stuff they were
made of. They had tried hard to push
up the hill again but had failed. This
hanging on, and the forward rush of the
Sixth Brigade seems simple enough on
paper. But remember, machine-guns were
playing everywhere—on front, right and
rear—the last from Angle Wood, where
the Germans seemed firmly fixed. Some
idea of the carnage, and some idea of the
courage of the Victorian battalion charged
with this section of the attack, may be
gauged from the fact that out of one whole
battalion only five officers and 70 men
reached this forward position. I do not
mean that the rest were killed or wounded.
But they were held up by machine-gun
posts or temporarily lost. The gallant 70 were
finally left to form the spear-head of the
attack alone. Another unit of the Sixth
Brigade was fighting on the left of St.
Quentin, and there were the disconnected
parties of the brave Fifth Brigade to help.
Some Victorians tried to break through on
the right between Mont. St. Quentin and
Peronne. For hundreds of yards they
crawled on their stomachs, seeking a way
up the hill. There was no cover. It was
a fight on the old lines. The attackers
could see the danger ahead of them; the
defenders could see the men at whom their
machine-gunners and riflemen were firing.
Now a company of the Victorians succeeded
in routing out a party of Germans, and sent
30 or 40 back as prisoners. This, perhaps,
enabled the Victorians to push on a few
yards. Again, some plucky officer or man
would dash in with a few bombs, and kill
off a party of machine-gunners in a ruined
house. Another possibility of advance.
The Victorian officers were well in front,
going ahead to reconnoitre a trench, or
rushing off at top speed if a dash had to
be made across a bullet-swept stretch of
country.
THE RUSH TO VICTORY
At half-past 11 it was clear that no progress
could be expected which would win
back the summit within a reasonable time,
so orders were given to reconstruct the infantry
line, and put an hour's barrage over
Mont St. Quentin. The game played upon
the hill from half-past 12 to half-past 1.
Orders were then given to storm the town.
The two battalions of the 6th Division in
the front line, aided by their comrades in
reserve, dashed on directly the barrage
lifted, moving in extended order. Some
made for the wood on the right; others
for the high ground. Lewis guns were
brought to bear upon the German machine-gunners.
This time the Victorians found
that the heart was out of the enemy. The
artillery barrage, and the unexpected spirit
of the advancing infantry were too much
for them. Again and again parties of Germans
ran away as the Victorians approached.
Others went on fighting until
the nose of a Lewis gun was seen peering
over a wall or round a corner. Then they,
too, ran, or flung up their hands with the
cry, "Kamerad," Kamerad." The more
truculent parties of Germans in the town
had to be dealt with by bombs. It took
an hour for the 6th Brigade to complete
that task. But by half-past 2 the summit
of Mont St. Quentin was recovered, and the
work commenced by the 6th Brigade was
finished. Indeed, the Victorians did not
stop at the hill . A battalion, or rather what
was left of it, went on, and occupied the
line of trenches on the other side of the
town. There had been many casualties, but
there were men enough left to finish the
job. Their reward was the vision of
Peronne below and the knowledge that their
brother Australians were now free to take
and hold the big town at the bend of the
Somme. There were also plenty of souvenirs
to be picked up of a very practical
kind. The 6th Brigade alone collected 40
machine-guns as a result of their morning's
work and handed them over to Brigadier-General
Robertson as evidence that his
orders had been carried out.
The Victorians and the other men of the
2nd Division were for days the envy of their
comrades in the A.I.F. Reference has already
been made to the praise given by
General Rawlinson and General Monash.
But the 5th, 6th, and 7th Brigades valued
even more the praise of their own commander,
Major-General Rosenthal, who had
actually seen his men at their work and
knew the difficulties overcome. In a special
congratulatory order issued early in September,
General Rosenthal said :—
"The objectives allotted to the Second
Australian Division since it again came into
the line having all been attained and in
brilliant fashion, I wish to take the opportunity
of very sincerely and heartily congratulating
and thanking all ranks for the
splendid efforts put forth. These efforts
have resulted in the capture of territory of
the utmost tactical value, and, in addition,
hundreds of the enemy have been killed,
thousands captured, and several German
divisions broken. The capture of Mont St.
Quentin was an amazing feat, and will rank
among the finest achievements of the war."
General Rosenthal went on to thank his
artillery men, the machine-gun unit, and the
engineers, who did yeoman service in providing
bridges over the Somme, in spite
of continuous artillery and machine-gun fire.
He ended; “Well done, Second Australian
Division.” The phrase will find an echo
among all Australians, and not least among
Victorians whose sons took so noble a part
in “the finest single feat of the war.”

Page 2 - To line up transcription with images.

Page 3 - To line up transcription with images.

RSDAY, JANUARY 29, 192
GENERAL BIRDWOOD.
GUEST OF OFFICERS.
VICTORIANS IN THE WAR.
Units and Leaders Praised.
General Birdwood was the guest last evening
of the Naval and Military Club at dinner,
when over 300 officers who had seen
active service, assembled to do honour
to their old chief.
In his speech General Birdwood referred
to the fact that, when being entertained by
the Federal Government, he had taken the
opportunity of mentioning some of the permanent
officers who had done good service.
On this occasion he would take advantage
of a similar opportunity to honour citizen
soldiers and Victorian units, especially
mentioning the good work done by 2nd, 6th,
10th and 15th Infantry Brigades, the 14th,
29th and 46th Infantry Battalions, the 2nd,
4th, 6th, and 8th Field Artillery Brigades,
and the 4th, 8th, 9th, and 13th Light Horse.
The officers whom General Birdwood
brought under notice were:—
Lieut.-General Sir John Monash, Major-Generals
Sir J. W. McCay and Sir J. Gellibrand;
Brigadier-Generals Tivey, Heane,
Brand, Paton, Robertson, Bennett, Smith,
McNicoll, Jess, Elliott, Stewart, F. G. Johnson
Grimwade, Burston and Hughes; and
Surgeon General Sir Charles Ryan.
Infantry.—Colonel Linton, Lieut.-Colonels
Wanliss, Le Maistre, Walstab, Luxton,
Traill, Daly, Ulrich, Elliott, Herrod,Bolton,
Coulter, Mitchell Courtney, Peck, W. J.
Smith, Crowther, Hutchinson, Forbes, Dugan,
Wiltshire, Knox, Fethers, Brazenor,
W. R. Watson, James, A. W. Bennett,
Purser, McArthur, Woods, Knight, C. H.
Davis, Hurry, Paterson, Henderson, Denham,
Ford, Corrigan, Denehey, C. R. Davies,
Jackson, Watson, Layh, Mason, Scanlon,
and Marshall.
Light Horse.—Lieut.-Colonels Daly, Scott,
Langley, Bouchier, Dean, Hindhaugh,
White, Major, Deeble, McLaurin, and Forsyth.
Artillery.—Lieut.-Colonels Cohen, Stevenson,
Caddy, Riggall, Derham, St Clair
Engineers. —Lieut.-Colonels Williams
(A.F.C.) Henderson, and Williams.
A.A.M.C. —Colonel Hearnes, Downes,
White, Lind, and Hardy; Lieut.-Colonel
Stansfield, A.A.S.C.
Chaplains Crookston, Wray, Dexter, and
Mackenzie.
General Birdwood added that Victoria
might well be proud that 17 members of
her units were awarded the Victoria Cross
in the persons of Captains Jacka and Grieve,
Lieutenants Symonds, Tubb, McNamara,
Moon, Birks, Ingram, and Joynt, Sergeants
Ruthven, Lowerson, and Buckley; Corporals
Dunstan, Burton, Peeler, and Privates
Beathan and Mactier.

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS.
SPEECH BY LORD JELLICOE.
NAVY'S OPINION OF ANZACS.
"Could Take Gibraltar."
The Governor-General, Sir Ronald Munro
Ferguson, presented 200 war decorations
and medals awarded to members
of the Australian Imperial Force,
at the Town Hall last night. His
Excellency was accompanied by Lady
Helen Munro Ferguson and Admiral
of the Fleet Lord Jellicoe. The Assistant
Minister for Defence (Mr. Wise)
occupied a seat on the platform along with
many naval and military officers. Private
C. F. Atherton, of the 5th Battalion, who
is still a hospital patient, was brought into
the hall on a wheeled stretcher, and when
His Excellency stepped down from the
platform and pinned the medal on the invalid's
tunic, there was general cheering.
A Victoria Cross, awarded to the late Private
Robert Mactier, of the 23rd Battalion,
was presented to his father, Mr. Robert
Mactier, of Tatura. Private Mactier enlisted
on March 1, 1917, at the age of 26
years and nine months. His Victoria Cross
was won on September 1, 1918, for conspicuous
bravery and devotion to duty during
the famous attack on the village of
Mount St. Quentin. Prior to the advance
of the battalion it was necessary to clear
up several enemy strong points close to our
line. This the bombing patrols sent forward
failed to effect, and the battalion was
unable to move. Private Mactier, singlehanded
and in the daylight, thereupon
jumped out of the trench, rushed past the
block, closed with and killed the machine-gun
garrison of eight men, with his revolver
and bombs, and threw the enemy machine-gun
over the parapet. Then, rushing forward
about 20 yards, he jumped into another
strong point held by a garrison of
six men, who immediately surrendered.
Continuing to the next block through the
trench, he disposed of an enemy machine-gun
which had been enfilading our flank
advancing troops, and was then killed by
another machine-gun at close range. It
was entirely due to this exceptional valour
and determination of Private Mactier that
the battalion was able to move on to its
"jumping off" trench and carry out the successful
operation of capturing the village of
Mont St. Quentin a few hours later.
The Governor-General, after the presentation
ceremony had been completed, said:
"This Town Hall has been the scene
of many brilliant functions, but I doubt if
any one of them could compare in interest
[[?]] over have stated the [[?]]
this ceremony, when, at the command of the
His Majesty, I have pinned 200 war medals
and decorations on the breasts of war
veterans or handed them to the representatives
of our gallant dead. (Cheers.) The
feats for which these decorations were conferred
are still so recent, and the tale of
the bravery, endurance, and leadership displayed
in a thousand episodes of the Great
War is as familiar to all of us that no one
can have listened to those oft-repeated
words "for gallantry in the field" without
realising how great is the sum total of
heroism represented by these medals, and
have justly proud the nation may well be of
the men that wear them. (Cheers.) The accession
is also unique in that we have with
us to-night one of those great admirals
whose names glitter down the [[?]] of England
and of British history. (Loud cheers.)
It was Lord Jellicoe's protecting Grand
Fleet which encircled the army during the
four years of war, and checkmated the
German dream of world wide domination, just
as early last century the 'storm-beaten
[missing text supplied from the following page]
ships of the British blockading squadrons
lay between Napoleon and universal conquest
From Drake's time until to-day the
White Ensign has never failed England in
her hour of need. There could be no happier
omen for the security of Australia
than the presence of Lord Jellicoe, whom
you have already taken to your hearts. Recognising
as he does the great work of the
R.A.N. in the short period of its existence,
he is singularly fitted to advise as to the
best lines for its future development. That
is not a matter on which we expect to have
Lord Jellicoe's opinion to-night, but I ask
him to speak to you on this occasion not
only as the wearer himself of many medals,
but as the admiral who organised the
British Navy for defence and for Victory.
(Cheers.)
Lord Jellicoe, on rising was received
with loud cheers, the audience singing
"Rule Britannia." He said that this was
the first occasion on which it had been
his privilege to be present at any large
presentation of war medals and decorations
and it was particularly [[pleasing?]] to
him that this first occasion should have
been in a land where those whom he represented
had met with such kindness and
such a warm-hearted welcome. It had
been the Navy's privilege during the war,
as it had been during previous wars, to
help their comrades of the army to win
the Empire's battles. The closest associations
that had taken place between the
Army and the Navy during this war took
place at Gallipoli, the spot where Australian
troops first showed the world of what
they were capable. (Cheers.) He thought
that the association between the two services
could not be better shown than by
his relating the contents of a letter which
he had received the previous day from the
father of an Australian soldier. That
father wrote to him to say that his son
was wounded by machine-gun fire during
the landing on Gallipoli. After receiving
first aid, the soldier was taken aboard His
Majesty's ship London. A bluejacket put
him in his own hammock, gave him tea and
sandwiches, and took off and washed his
[[pullovers?]]. Then he came back to the soldier
and said "Will it be any use to you
if I give you a couple of bob?" (Laughter
and cheers.) That father said that his
son, like most Australian soldiers had a
deep regard for the boys in blue. Another
sailor said to another Australian soldier
"I believe that if you fellows were
told to take the Rock of Gibraltar you
would do it." (Cheers.) That remark by
a British bluejacket expressed better than
any speech he Lord Jellicoe could make,
the Navy's opinion of the Australian soldier.
(Cheers.)
"I congratulate," concluded Lord Jellicoe,
"the gallant officers and men who
this evening have received His Majesty's
recognition of their services. I leave it at
that." (Cheers.)
The list of awards has already been published
in "The Argus." The decorations
presented to next-of-kin were:—
VICTORIA CROSS.—The late Pte. R. Mactier
(to be presented to Mr. R. Mactier, Tatura).
MILITARY CROSS.—The late Lieut. J. F. Gear
(Mr. J. A. Gear, Ballarat), the late Lieut. J. H.
Johnson (Mrs. S. H. Johnson, [[Beeac?]]), the late
Capt. J. Sullivan (Mr. J. Sullivan, Geelong),
the late Lieut. A. A. Orme Davenport (Dr. A. F.
Davenport, High street, St Kilda), the late Lieut.
W. O. Summers (Mr. R. W. Summers, State
Savings Bank, Fitzroy), the late R.S.M. R. E.
Louttit (Mr. J. C. Louttit, Nyah).
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL—The late
Pte. J. Cheverton, 5th Batt, (Mrs. K. M. Cheverton,
62 Mills street, Albert Park), the late Sgt.
C. E. Thomas, 6th. Batt. (Mrs. A. M. Thomas,
104 Edgevale road, Kew), the late Cpl C. T.
Higginbotham, 5th Batt. (Mr. C. W. Higginbotham
302 Chapel street, South Yarra), the late
C.Q.M.S. T. J. Mew, 14th Batt. (Mrs. C. H. Honey,
Down street, Brunswick), the late Sgt. G. T.
Piper, 5th Batt. (Mrs. A. Barr, 7 Octavia street,
St. Kilda).
MILITARY MEDAL—The late Pte. F. J. H.
Berryman, 46th Batt. (Mr. A. C. Berryman, Glen
Forbes), the late Lieut. J. C. Moore, 60th Batt.
(Mrs. A. J. H. Moore, Bendigo), the late L.-Cpl.
R. Duggan, 39th Batt (Mr. J. Duggan, Nagambie),
the late Pte. J. Featherston, 23rd Batt (Mrs. L.
Featherston, 14 Harriet street, Thornbury), the
late Pte. R. G. Hanson, 4th Field Amb. (Mrs.
L. Hanson, Norwood road, Caulfield), the late Dvr.
C. D. G. Love, 2nd M.T. Coy (Mr. J. E. Love,
Rosedale avenue, Glenhuntly), L.-Cpl. G. Roberts,
7th Batt. (Mrs. E. E. Roberts, Shepparton).
Photographs of medals appear on page
10
[end of missing text supplied from the following page]
OUR HEROES.
AWARDED MILITARY MEDAL
Sergeant-Major A. J. Crawford, of
Tatura has been awarded the military
medal for conspicuous services
rendered in the field.
MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES
Major Andrew Crawford, who has
been mentioned in despatches for
conspicuous services between March
and September, 1918, is the fifth
and youngest son of Mrs A. Crawford,
of "Woodlands," Tatura, and
is 32 years of age. When volunteers
were called for he enlisted and went
into Broadmeadows camp on 29th
September, 1914, as a 2nd lieutenant
in the 8th Light Horse. He held
the rank of 1st lieutenant in the
Tatura Light Horse, of which he was
a member for 6 years previous to
the war. Lieut. Crawford sailed
for Egypt in February, 1915, and
was badly wounded on 7th August
at Walker's Ridge when the 8th
Light Horse made their famous
charge and were so truly cut up.
He spent is birthday (6th August)
getting ready for the charge,
After being in hospital for over 2
months the young soldier again went
to the Peninsula, and was present
at the evacuation in December, 1915
an account of which written by him
appeared in the "Guardian." Lieut.
was soon promoted to 1st
Lieut. and was made captain early
in 1916, and soon afterwards was
promoted to the rank of major. He
is now 2nd senior major of the
Light Horse, and is one of the
very few surviving original members
of the famous 8th Light Horse
which made a great name both in
Gallipoli and Palestine. At present
Major Crawford is camped at Tripoli,
Syria at the foot of Mount
Lebanon, and expects to be home
about September.

Page 6 - To line up transcription with images

MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES.
Australians Honoured.
In a despatch received in January by the
Secretary of State for War from General
Sir Edmund Allenby, Commander-in-chief
of the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces and
published in the “London Gazette,” the
following Australian officers, other ranks,
and civilians were mentioned for their services
during the period March to September,
1918.
Commands and Staff.—Major W. M. Anderson,
D.S.O., 6th L.H. Regt., Lieut.-Colonel M. F. Bruxner,
D.S.O., 6th L.H Regt., Lieut.-General H. G.
Chauvel, K.C.B., K.C M.G.; Major A. Chisholm,
D.S.O., 2nd L.H. Regt., Colonel G. P. Dixon,
C.B.E, Aust. A.M.C., Colonel R. M. Downes,
C.M.G. Aust. A.M.C., Lieut-Colonel D. Fulton,
C.B.E., 3rd L.H.Regt., Major W. S. K. Hughes,
M.C., 8th L.H. Regt., Lieut.-Colonel F. G. Newton,
C.B.E., Gen. List., Captain W. C. Stillman, Lieut.
F. A. J. W. Taylor, 5th L.H. Regt., Major W. J.
Urquhart, Aust. F.A., Brigadier-General L. C.
Wilson, C.M.G. D.S.O.
Flying Corps.—Major S. W. Addison, Lieut. P.
A. McBain, Lieut. V. P. Turner. Sgt. A. R. Bell,
Cpl. F. A. Benham, Sgt. A. B. Chadwick, Sgt. W.
E. Kilburn, Sgt. F. P. Moore, Sgt. E. J. Stocker,
Cpl. W. L. Taylor, Cpl. A. C. Thompson.
1st L.H. Regiment.—Lieut. G. H. Taylor, Sgt.
G. D. Chapman. Sgt. E. N. Farrell, Sgt. A. L.
McGregor.
2nd L.H. Regiment.—Sgt. J. E. Carlyon. M.M.
Tpr. R. Dawson, Sqdn. S. M. H. L. A. Frankford,
Sgt. G. O. Morgan.
3rd L.H. Regiment.—Tpr. S. J, Nelson, Sqdn. S M.
J. D Ryan.
4th L.H. Regiment.—Lieut. H. C. A. McCann,
Major A. D. Reid, M.C., Sgt. A. V. Bond, Sgt. A.
Fisher, Sgt. E. C. Seagar, Cpl. C. Shaw, Sgt. W.
G. Sinclair.
5th L.H. Regiment.—Major R. H. Nimmo, Pte.
L. R. Anderson, Cpl. N. W. Budden, Sqdn. S.M. F.
C. B. Owen, W.O. C. Schuchard.
6th L.H. Regiment.—Major S. A. Tooth, D.S.O.,
Cpl. N. K. Crawford.
7th L.H. Regiment.—Lieut. C. E. Holland. Sqdn.
S. M. G. F. Bolton, Sgt, T. A. Taylor.
X8th L.H. Regiment.—Major A. Crawford, 2nd Lieut.
E. F. McLean, Sgt. J. Gray., Cpl. C. Hennebery.
9th L.H. Regiment.—Major T. H. Darley, Tpr. C.
G. Wadrop, Cpl. F. H. Wharton, Sgt. B. G.
Wuchatsch.
10th L.H Regiment.—Capt. P. P. Buckland,
Lieut. A. H. Gollan, Lieut.-Colonel T. J. Todd,
D.S.O., Sgt. W. A. Bearman, Sgt. H. Bertie, Sgt.
T. B. Mitchell.
11th L.H. Regiment.- Major L. S. Alexander. L.-Cpl.
S. J. Kirwan, L.-Cpl F. W. Robinson, Sgt.
G. W. Smith.
12th L.H. Regiment.—Lieut. J. V. Boyle, Lieut.
F. R. Massie, L.-Cpl. A. Spence.
14th L.H. Regiment.—Lieut.-Colonel G. F. Langley,
Lieut. H. L. D. Malcolm, M.M., Cpl. T. C.
McGrath, Pte. W. F. McGrath, Tpr.
G. R. Spring.
15th L.H. Regiment. — Lieut, R. F. Jephcott,
C.Q.M.S. G. Hughes.
Remount Service.—Colonel D. McLeish, C.M.G.
C.B.F. V.D.
Engineers.— Lieutenant C. Sturman, 1st Sig.
Sqdn. 2nd-Cpl. E. J. Brown, 3rd Fld. Sqdn.
[Article covered by folded paper. Content not relevant.]
Looking Back
On such a day as this, though, it is fitting
that John Citizen should “think back”
a few years to that September 1, 1918,
when the A.I.F. performed what has been
described as one of the finest feats of the
Great War in reaching the crest of Mont St.
Quentin.
[Photograph of Major-General Rosenthal - see original document] It was one of the
[*[[?]]*] greatest days in the
history of our
Diggers when Major
General Sir Charles
Rosenthal's men led
the attack, and the
Sixth Brigade reached
the crest and went
for beyond it today -
seven years ago. The
Australians were opposed
then by the
very pick of the German
army - the
Second Prussian
Guards Division, with the renowned Kaisaria
Augusta and Kaiser Alexandra Regiments.
Sheer Presumption
So strong was the St. Quentin position
that when Lord Rawlinson knew of
the Australians' proposal to attack it he
said to General Monash, on August 24,
"And so you think you are going to take
Mont St. Quentin with three battalions.
What preparation? However, I don’t think
I ought to stop you! So, go ahead and try
-and I wish you luck!"
So the Diggers went ahead with a vengeance.
The Victoria Cross
It was on September 1, 1918. I think, that
no fewer than six Victoria Crosses
were won by the Diggers and their officers
a record that ought to make every citizen
thrill with pride in the achievement.
There were posthumous crosses awarded,
for instance, to Private R. Mactier, of the
23rd Battalion, and Corporal A. H. Buckley.
of the 54th Battalion. Both of those gallant
boys on that September morning sacrificed
their lives in single-handed attacks on portions
of the enemy [[?]] which was holding
up the advance.
Mactier’s feat has been officially described
standing out for the greatest
bravery and devotion to duty.
The Brave Example
Single-handed, and in daylight he
jumped out of the Australian trench,
closed with and killed an enemy machine-gun
garrison of eight men with revolver
and bombs and threw the enemy gun over
the parapet.
After that he ran forward another 20
yards forwards, and captured a point held by six
men, and finally disposed of another enemy
machine gun next by bombs before he himself
was killed. Surely an amazing feat.
Then there was [[Sergeant Albert Lowerson of?]]
the 21st Battalion, who gallantly led his
men under heavy fire and Corporal Hall,
of the 54th Battalion, who followed up a
series of brave deeds by carrying a dangerously
wounded comrade through a heavy
barrage. And there was Lieut. Towner, of
the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, with a
whole series of gallant actions on that day
and Private Currey, who rushed a machine
gun and a Lewis gun—among other things.
And there were other great deeds in plenty.
Surpassing Daring
It is not surprising, is it, that when all was
over Lord Rawlinson issued an order
stating that the capture of Mont St. Quentin
was a feat of arms worthy of the highest
praise, and that its importance could not
[Article continues on next image.]
be over estimated.
"I am filled with admiration," he added,
at the gallantry and surpassing daring of
the Second Division in winning this important
fortress, and I congratulate them with
all my heart."
Communist and Digger
It is well that every citizen should think
again on this great feat, on this anniversary
day—and compare in his heart the work
of the Diggers in 1918 with the wrecking
tactics of the Communists who today flaunt
red flags in the faces of the Australian
people and speak glibly of the fools who
fought in the war.

THE GUARDIAN, TUESDAY,
Soldiers Welcomed at
Toolamba
ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING
PRESENTATION OF MEDALS
The greatest enthusiasm marked
the big gathering held in the public
hall Toolamba on Friday evening
for the purpose of welcoming home
the soldiers recently returned from
the front. The Toolamba folk have
organised scores of successful functions
in the past but it is safe to
say that Friday’s demonstration
[[surpassed?]] all previous efforts. It was
well organised, excellently managed,
and altogether one of the most enthusiastic
receptions we have had
the pleasure of attending. The
demonstration took the form of a
tea meeting and a concert followed
by a dance. For some days
previously the committee numbering
over 10, with Mr. H. J. Hodgson as
chairman, and Mr. M. Alexander as
secretary, had been busily engaged
in preparing for the great event.
It was recognised that the hall
would be too small to accommodate
the crowd so a huge marquee was
erected on the [[?]] building.
The additional accommodation
provided proved a great boon to
the scores of ladies who had to wait
on the tables which were laden with
a choice assortment of eatables.
Then the interior of the hall was
artistically decorated. Of course,
this was undertaken by the ladies
and no one could fault the scheme
of decoration, Union Jacks, both
large and small were neatly arranged
along either side of the building,
while at the rear of the stage
the words “Welcome Home” worked
in white lettering on a scarlet background
adorned the wall surrounded
with an artistic border made with
miniature flags of the Allies. The
blending of the colors in the general
scheme of decoration was perfect
and pleasing to the eye. The
table reserved for soldiers and their
relatives was decorated with the
colors of the battalions represented
by the guests. In addition, the ornaments
[[used?]] for the flowers, etc, comprised
captured German shells and
other trophies brought from the
battlefield. Fully 300 people sat
down to tea, and despite the terrific
crush, all received prompt attention,
the [[feast]] being over a little before
8 o’clock.
The hall was packed for the concert
and reception which followed.
The guests, as well as a number of
returned soldiers from Tatura occupied
seats on the platform. The
speakers, Messrs. D. C. Morrison, J.
[missing text supplied from the following page]
Burt Stewart, and Rev. W. P. Bainbridge
were also seated on the platform.
Mr. H. J. Hodgson presided
over the meeting, and was the right
man in the right place. Although
he claimed to be rather nervous he
did not exhibit any symptoms of
the complaint. His happy style of
introducing the speakers and performers
greatly helped towards the
success of the evening. The proceedings
opened with the singing
of the National Anthem, after which
the audience stood with bowed heads
as a mark of respect to the fallen
heroes.
The first item was the toast of
the health of “Our Boys” which was
proposed by the chairman, who explained
that he had forgotten to
submit the toast at tea. He was
honoured with great enthusiasm after
which rousing cheers was given for
the returned soldiers on the platform.
Apologising for non-attendance were
received from Private Jim Barron
and Gunner P. Broadhead. The
chairman stated that Mr. John Sutherland,
of Shepparton, had also
send an apology, and intimated that
he would make a point of attending
the next welcome home gathering
held in Toolamba.
The task of presenting to each
soldier a gold medal suitably inscribed
was allotted to C. [[Pogran?]].
in doing so the speaker paid a
warm tribute to the gallantry exhibited
by our Australian soldiers.
They all recognised that the boys
had made a great sacrifice in leaving
peaceful homes and loved ones to
go across to distant lands to fight
for their country and the Empire.
They had played their part well
had made a name for themselves,
and surprised the world with
their gallant deeds. (Cheers). Some
of the boys had come back maimed,
and ill, but he prayed God that
their health would be restored, and
their future would be full of
happiness. In presenting each district
soldier with a medal the residents
desired to show their appreciation
of the sacrifices made by
the young men. Amidst applause
he handed a medal to each of the following
returned soldiers: Private H.
G. Huggard, Gunner W. F. Broadhead,
Corp. J. F. Huggard, Private
G. Allen, Lance-corp N. E. Bathman.
Mr Redditch, president of the Tatura
Branch R.S.A. extended a cordial
welcome to his comrades from
Toolamba. He also wished to heartily
thank the reception committee
for the kindly welcome accorded
the soldiers from Tatura. It was a
fine gathering and the Toolamba
boys had every reason to feel proud
of the honour accord them. It
was a privilege to be present that
evening. Mr. Redditch, touching on
repatriation matters, mentioned that
he was one of the first district
soldiers to be placed on a block
block of land. His experience in
getting started would prove valuable
to others who [desired?]] to take up
land. The committee at Tatura had
done good work, but and if more
power were given to the local committee
greater benefits would be
secured by the returned soldiers. He
would like to see the local soldiers
[[take?]] land as soon as possible.
that evening. The soldiers had nobly
done their duty, and the residents
were just justly proud of them.
(Applause). Mr. Morrison spoke at
length on the something that transpired
prior to the commencement of
hostilities. After four years of warfare
the German nation had been
put in its proper place (Cheers).
and some of the men who had helped
to do that were present on the stage
that evening. (Great cheering).
They were all proud of the conduct
of their soldiers and their
deeds of gallantry would never be
effaced from that memory. But the
residents still had a duty to perform.
These men had been cut off
from civil life for the past 4 years
and it was their duty to see that
the soldiers were reinstated in civil
life. (Applause) a great many men
desired to take up land, and every
encouragement should be offered
them. Before entering into a [[g?]]
for the purchase of a property
the soldier should first consult the
members of the local repatriation
committee. He would find that
such a step would be to his advantage.
In closing a most interesting
address Mr Morrison said that every
soldier should be placed in a good
position. The soldier had nobly
done [[?]] and was deserving
of every sympathy and assistance.
(Applause).
The Rev. W.P. Bainbridge in
opening his remarks, mentioned that
one of his brothers was sleeping
on the cliffs of Gallipoli, another
had returned to his home land and
a third was still in England. He
was therefore in a position to mourn
with those that had lost their loved
ones, to join heartily in welcoming
the returned men and to look forward
with pleasure to the home
coming of a loved one. He most
heartily congratulated the guests of
the evening on their safe return,
and extended to them the hand of
welcome. These men had trodd in
the path of duty, made many sacrifices
and now had returned again.
It was an honour to count them as
comrades, and he wished them
every success and happiness in their
future life. (Applause).
Mr J. Burt Stewart congratulated
the residents of Toolamba on
the splendid gathering. It went to
show that the sacrifices of our soldiers
had been appreciated. Our
soldiers had not gone across the seas
on a spirit of adventure, but had
responded to the call of this Empire
and conscience. (Cheers). They had
heard the call and were men enough
to respond. (Great cheering). The
soldiers of Australia had proved
themselves worthy sons of the Empire,
and their deeds would ever
be remembered. (Cheers) It was well
to remind the people that every man
would not return. Sacrifices had
been made over 50,000 homes.
But who could estimate the [[?]]
of the lives laid down for liberty.
It was the duty of the nation to see
that every Australian soldier was
treated well, for he had done his
duty on the battlefield. (Loud applause).
Suitable responses were made by
the guests of the evening. Privates
Bathman and Allan made references
to the value of the Red Cross work
and expressed appreciation of the
kindly welcome accorded them that
night. Each soldier heartily thanked
the committee for this handsome
medal, which would serve to remind
them of the kind friends of Toolamba.
The concert program was much
enjoyed, items being contributed as
follows: —— overture J L. Campbell:
song, “My Old [[?]]” Mr.
K. Rogerson; recitation “The [[cure?]]
for [[rheumatism?]] Miss Forsyth
(encored): song “The Trumpeter”
Mr W. Patterson: song “Coming
Home” Miss Fitzgerald, (encored):
song Mr P. J. Lamb ([[encored?]]); pianoforte;
[[?]] Misses [[?]]
[[?]] song Miss [[Evans?]] (encored)
duet, “Joan of Arc,” Miss B. Dunlop
and S. Dick ; song, “A Tiny
Touch” Miss [[McGurle”?]] (encored) :
song. Miss Alma Huggard.
At the close the usual votes of
thanks were accorded the speakers
and performers. Supper having been
served the hall was cleared and dancing.
A Popular Clergyman
Mr A. S. BREMNER ENTERTAINED
At Kyvalley on Thursday evening, a
valedictory social was rendered to Mr. A.
S. Bremner, who is leaving the district for
Wodonga. Mr. W. Edwards occupied the
chair, and in the course of his remarks,
said that the Kyvalley people were very
sorry to lose Mr Bremner, as he had been
most attentive to his duties, and had been
very earnest in ministering to their spiritual
needs. (Applause).
Messrs Noble and Gray spoke on behalf
of the congregation and Sabbath school,
and thank the guest for the great interest
he had taken in the children, as they reall
and that in the children of today, they
have the church of the future, and assured
Mr Bremner that the work he had done
would be productive of much good.
Mr. Edwards, on behalf of the Kyva’s
congregation and friends then presented
the guest of the evening with a cheque,
and wished him much success in his efforts
to spread the gospel.(Applause).
Mrs W. B. Jenkins also spoke on behalf
of the mothers of the boys connected with
the Kyvalley congregation, and thanked Mr
Bremner for the great interest he had
shown in the lads, particularly those who
had gone over to fight for God, King and
Country, and assured him that they appreciated
his interest in them. (Applause).
Mr Bremner, who was warmly received,
thanked all for their kind words and good
wishes, and for their presentation, and said
he was very sorry to leave his many good
friends of Kyvalley. If he had been at all
helpful to them, and the lads who had gone
to the war, he was very pleased to know it.
He assured them that as long as these lad
were away from home he would continue
to keep in touch with them. (Applause).

Page 10 - To line up transcription with images