Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 1, 14 August - 3 November 1914 - Part 3

PAGE 2.

E.I. Wallack  Colonel, 
15/9/1914. Commandant, 2nd. Military District.

M - 8 
M.  8. 
A. I. F. 
FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE   0/9 
  
C. G. S. 
It is strongly urged that some permanent officers 
be taken with the Brigade, thus :- 
Head Quarters           1 Brigade Major 
Each Battalion           1 Second-in-Command or  
1 Adjutant. 
  
This is most important from the point of view of the 
training particularly of the Officers and N.C.O's. - The Brigade 
is likely to contain a smaller proportion of experienced and 
trained Officers and N.C.O's than the Brigades already enrolled. - 
The work of training will be much heavier: and efficiency  
cannot be ensured in a reasonable time unless there be, at the 
disposal of each Commander, and officer of experience in training 
such as a member of the A. and I. Staff, who can assist to 
organise and supervise such work. 
It is submitted further that, from every point of view, 
the interests of the Brigade should in this matter be placed 
before those of the C. M. Forces remaining at the base. 
For favor of early reply. 
Colonel. 
15/9/1914.   Commanding, 4th Inf.Brigade, A.I.F.

M-7 0/22 
MAJOR JESS 
HEAD-QUARTERS 
A D E L A I D E 
M.7  CONFIDENTIAL ARE YOU APPLICANT POSITION MY BRIGADE MAJOR 
  
M O N A S H 
HEAD-QUARTERS 
15/9/1914.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE 
  
M. 14.          MINUTE PAPER    9 
(This side only to be written on.) 
C.4765.                                    
  
SUBJECT: A. I. F.  
FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE. 
  
C. G. S. 
Recommended that the establishment of this Brigade 
Head Quarters be increased by the addition of One Staff Captain. 
I believe this has been already approved in the case 
of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigades. 
I am also given to understand that it is the usual 
course in the British and Indian Army when on service. 
The work of training a freshly raised Force being 
especially heavy, the Brigade Major should be relieved of some 
branches of administrative work to allow him more time to assist 
the Commander in training. 
The Brigade, until arrival and concentration at the 
European base, will be an independent force, and much work  
ordinarily cared for by the Divisional Staff, will fall upon 
Brigade Head-Quarters. 
  
John Monash 
Colonel. 
15/9/1914. Commanding 4th Inf. Brigade. 
  
C.G.S. 
A 15SEP.14 M 
RECEIVED 
  
C.O. 4th inf. bde. 
The Chief of the General Staff does not approve of the 
addition of an officer to the establishment 
laid down. 
Additional staff will be provided for training 
in Australia. 
15.9.14.    E.H. Reynolds. Major 
Director of Military Operations 
J.M.

M.  14.                               
9/18 
A. I. F. 
FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE. 
  
C. G. S. 
Recommended that the establishment of this Brigade 
Head Quarters be increased by the addition of One Staff Captain. 
I believe this has been already approved in the case 
of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigades. 
I am also given to understand that it is the usual 
course of the British and Indian Army when on service. 
The work of training a freshly raised Force being 
especially heavy, the Brigade Major should be relieved of some 
branches of administrative work to allow him more time to assist 
the Commander in training. 
The Brigade, until arrival and concentration at the  
European base, will be an independent force, and much work 
ordinarily cared for by the Divisional Staff, will fall upon 
Brigade Head-Quarters. 
  
Colonel. 
15/9/1914. Commanding 4th Inf. Brigade.

M. 18. 
M-18 
A. I. F.     14/19 
FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 
  
C. G. S. 
Recommended that Battalion Commanders of this 
Brigade be permitted to select Warrant and N.C.O's of the  
Instructional Staff for the following duties, if no trained 
members of citizen forces are available viz. :- 
  
Regimental Sergeant Major 
Quarter Master Sergeant 
Sergeant Machine Gun Section 
Sergeant Signalling Section 
  
Colonel. 
16/9/1914. Commanding 4th Infantry Brigade. 
CGS

M-22 
7/61 
Copy of wire to 
17/9/14 
CAPTAIN JESS                                                     
UNLEY BARRACKS 
ADELAIDE.  S.A. 
  
M.22.  YOUR G. 381 AM AWAITING MINISTERIAL PERMISSION EMPLOY PERMANENT 
OFFICERS WITH MY FORCE BEFORE MAKING SELECTIONS. 
  
MONASH. 
  
Bde S Pers

E.T. No. 3. 
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.                                  No. ........................ 
Postmaster-General's Department, Victoria.                    OFFICE DATE STAMP. 
URGENT TELEGRAM.                                                              SEP 17 1914                                                           
C.4960  This message has been received subject to the Post and Telegraph Act and Regulations. 
All complaints to be addressed in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General. 
  
STATION FROM, No. OF WORDS, AND CHECK.       REMARKS. 
                     
Perth Wa       107 8/9          5.15 
  
Monash Gnrl Hqrs Melb 
X 1/3 Your telegram on H of 14^th difficult 
find Commander firm character & good 
regimental experience stop suitable 
senior officers not volunteering stop 
major roberts 88^th infantry now 
second in Command 11^th battalion 
JM 
[*NOTE- The figures at the bottom represents the time lodged at 
Sending Station and time received at this Office respectively*] 
  
xxxxx 
senior not fit to succeed stop 
Major Mansbridge of 4th infantry 
now Company Commander sixteenth 
infantry provisionally not strong 
character or initiative though 
useful officer stop cannot well 
  
[*NOTE-The figures at the bottom represents the  
Sending Station and time received at this Office*] 
  
Major Bridges

E.T. No. 3. 
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.                                  No. ........................ 
Postmaster-General's Department, Victoria.                    OFFICE DATE STAMP. 
URGENT TELEGRAM.                                                              SEP 17 1914                                                           
C.4960  This message has been received subject to the Post and Telegraph Act and Regulations. 
All complaints to be addressed in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General. 
  
STATION FROM, No. OF WORDS, AND CHECK.             |                REMARKS. 
  
recommended but not desirable 
withdraw him from 11^th as next 
senior not fit to succeed stop 
Major Mansbridge of 4th infantry 
now Company Commander sixteenth 
infantry provisionally not strong 
character or initiative though 
useful officer stop cannot well 
  
[*NOTE-The figures at the bottom represents the  
Sending Station and time received at this Office*] 
  
Major Bridges

E.T. No. 3. 
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.                                  No. ........................ 
Postmaster-General's Department, Victoria.   OFFICE DATE STAMP. 
URGENT TELEGRAM.                                                      SEP 17 1914                                                           
C.4960 3  This message has been received subject to the Post and Telegraph Act and Regulations. 
All complaints to be addressed in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General. 
  
STATION FROM, No. OF WORDS, AND CHECK.           REMARKS. 
  
recommend myself though 
Colonel Kyngdon did recommend 
me for eleventh & would I 
recommend for 16^th Colonel legge 
wired that I could not spared 
perhaps you could ask for one 
to Command 
Major Bridges 
  
[*NOTE-The figures at the bottom represents the  
Sending Station and time received at this Office*]