Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 1, 15 December 1914 - 5 January 1915 - Part 1

(2) 
Medical Officer, 
15th Btn, 4th Inf Bde, A.I.F. 
Please state your opinion as regards Lieut. Hill. 
[[NJW?]] Captain, 
Adjutant 15th Battalion, 
4th Infantry Brigade, A.I.F. 
Broadmeadows. 
15/12/14. 
  
(4) 
The Brigadier 
4th Infantry Brigade, A.I.F. 
I recommend cancellation of appointment in 
Australian Imperial Forces, as I cannot consent to Lieut. 
Hill accompanying my unit in view of medical reports. 
If immediate action could not be taken re 
cancellation of appointment A.I.F. , I recommend transfer to 
1st or 2nd Reinforcements, and that Lieut.  F.J. Platt, of 
1st Reinforcements 15th Battalion, be transferred to 
15th Battalion on strength of "A" Company. 
  
J. H Cannan 
Lieut. Colonel, 
Commanding 15th Battalion, 
4th Infantry Brigade, A.I.F. 
Broadmeadows. 
16/12/14.

FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE. 
BRIGADE TACTICAL EXERCISE, DECEMBER 15TH. 
  
INSTRUCTIONS TO C.O.FORCE. 

1. The Special ideas, which would normally be issued on the
morning of the Exercise, are issued in advance to enable the 
schemes to be explained to Senior Officers and Umpires, but 
must in other respects be kept confidential by all who are 
made acquainted with them. 
2. The C.O.of each Force will be responsible for the distribution 
of the copies of the scheme forwarded herewith, to C.O.'s 
units and to their Umpires, and for the issue to his Force of 
all orders, not covered by these papers, regarding meals, water 
supply, etc. 
3. Every effort is to be made before and during the exercise 
to acquaint Umpires with all proposed and actual dispositions, 
and with the tenor of all orders issued. This applies not 
only to C.O.Force but also to subordinate commanders. 
4. Special Instructions are to be issued by Officers Commanding 
Forces which will ensure that the nature of the exercise and the 
object of the dispositions and moves is explained to Squadron 
and Company Commanders, and by them to their commands. 
5. The C.O. of each Force will arrange for the closing of 
openings made in fences for the passage of mounted personnel 
and transport.

FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE. 
  
BRIGADE TACTICAL EXERCISE, DECEMBER 15TH. 
  
GENERAL IDEA. 
A White Army, based on MELBOURNE, is covered by a force 
in the vicinity of GLENROY PARK, CAMPBELLFIELD.  A Brown Army 
based on WALLAN is operating towards MELBOURNE. 
  
SPECIAL IDEA ( BROWN). 
A force, consisting of 1 Squadron and 2 Battalions, has 
on the night December 14th-15th bivouaced near the INTERSECTION 
of SYDNEY ROAD and 17 MILE LANE, and has resumed its march 
Southward at 7a.m. 
At 9a.m. -30 a.m. the vanguard, having reached a point on the 
SYDNEY ROAD 2 miles South of CRAIGIEBURN RAILWAY STATION, a  
report is received that White mounted patrols have been seen 
near the INTERSECTION of the SYDNEY RAILWAY and UNUSED RAILWAY 
at 9a.m. 
Your orders are to engage and defeat the force covering 
MELBOURNE. 
  
INSTRUCTIONS FOR BROWN FORCE. 
1. The Brown Force will comprise 1 Squadron 9th Light Horse and 
the 13th and 16th Battalions, under the command of Lieut. 
Colonel H. Pope. 
2. The White Force will wear White hat bands. 
3. Blank ammunition at the rate of 20 rounds per rifle will be 
drawn from Brigade Headquarters. 10 rounds per rifle to be 
issued; remainder to be divided between pack animals and 
regimental transport. 
4. The Brown Force will march out of Camp at 8a.m. East via 
BROADMEADOWS ROAD and North via SYDNEY ROAD till the whole 
force is at least one mile North of "CROSS ROAD" near "S" in 
SYDNEY. Dispositions in accordance with Special Idea may 
then be made, but no Brown troops may be South of this CROSS 
ROAD, on the return move, before 10a.m. 

Copy for office Record 
  
FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE. 
  
BRIGADE TACTICAL EXERCISE, DECEMBER 15TH. 
  
GENERAL IDEA. 
A White Army, based on MELBOURNE, is covered by a 
force in the vicinity of GLENROY PARK, CAMPBELLFIELD. A 
Brown Army based on WALLAN is operating towards MELBOURNE. 
  
SPECIAL IDEA  ( WHITE). 
A force, consisting of 1 Squadron and 2 Battalions, 
has marched from MELBOURNE, and has bivouaced for the night 
December 14th-15th at the site of the Broadmeadows Camp, 
covered by outposts to the North extending from SYDNEY RAILWAY  
to SYDNEY ROAD. 
At 9a.m. you receive a report that some Brown mounted 
patrols were seen in the vicinity of CRAIGIEBURN RAILWAY STATION 
at 7a.m. You will make dispositions to intercept and defeat 
any hostile movement against MELBOURNE. 
  
INSTRUCTION FOR WHITE FORCE. 
1. The White Force will comprise 1 Squadron 8th Light Horse 
and the 14th and 15th Battalions under the command of 
Lieut. Colonel R.H.Courtney V.D. 
2. The White Force will wear white hat bands. 
3. Blank ammunition at the rate of 20 rounds per rifle will 
be drawn from Brigade Headquarters. 10 rounds per rifle 
to be issued; remainder to be divided between pack animals 
and regimental transport. 
4. No white troops must be North of second "Y" in SYDNEY ROAD 
before 10a.m. ; nor may White troops move from camp before 
9a.m. 
File 
CHJ

15/12/14 
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE. 
FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE.                                      
SPECIAL ORDER. 
INSPECTION BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL, SIR RONALD C. 
MUNRO FERGUSON,P.C.,K.C.M.G., COMMANDER IN CHIEF COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.   
  
INSPECTION  1.  His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Ronald 
C.Munro Ferguson,P.C.,K.C.M.G., Commander in Chief,  
Commonwealth of Australia, having signified his intention 
of inspecting the Fourth Infantry Brigade,Australian 
Imperial Force, on Thursday next, the 17th inst.  
at 12 noon, the Brigade will route march to Melbourne  
for that purpose. 
  
SATUTING POINT 2. Saluting Point-Federal Parliament House Steps. 
  
DRESS. 3. Fighting order all ranks. Hats. Swords will be worn 
but not drawn till ordered. Water bottles to be filled  
overnight. One meal to be carried. 
  
COLOURS. 4. Regimental Colours, only, will be carried. 
  
ASSEMBLY. 5. The parade will form up in mass of quarter columns  
facing East, on General Parade Ground at 6-50.a.m.  
Signal Section in front, Army Medical Corps in rear.  
All specialists and Transport details (except as  
mentioned in paragraph 9) to accompany Units during  
the march through the City. 
  
STARTING POINT.  6. The Starting Point will be the Main Gate on 
Broadmeadows Road. 
  
ORDER OF MARCH. 7.  The Brigade will move in column of route, at 30 paces 
distance, in the following order:- 
Brigade Staff 
Signal Section 
13th Battalion 
14th Battalion 
15th Battalion 
16th Battalion 
Fourth Field Ambulance. 
  
ROUTE. 8. The Brigade will march off at 7a.m., via Broadmeadows
and Sydney Roads to Royal Park, thence via 
Errol, King, Collins, Spring, Lonsdale, Exhibition, Bourke 
and Elizabeth Streets and Sydney Road to Camp. 
  
HALTS. 9. In addition to the ordinary halts, the following 
will be made:- 
Royal Park. (a) About 10-15. 1.m. for half hour, during  
which coffee or tea and biscuit will be  
provided. 
(b)  About 1-10.p.m. for about 1½ hours, when  
midday meal will be eaten. 
Fawckner Cemetary. (c)  A halt of about 20 minutes for coffee  
on return journey. 
Water carts and waggons will move on from 
Royal Park at 1-40.p.m. to arrange. 
Firewood will have to be carried. 
Quartermasters to arrange as above. 
Necessary Transport Waggons and Water Carts will 
leave Camp at latest at 6-45.a.m., and will xxxx move  
ahead to the park. Water Carts will be refilled from 
Hydrants provided.- 
(a)  13th and 14th Battalions and Army  
Medical Corps in Gatehouse Street. 
(b)  15th and 16th Battalions and Signal 
Section in Flemington Road.

SPECIAL ORDER. SHEET 2. 
  
FORMATION FOR HALTS.  
OUTWARD JOURNEY.  10.   On entering the Royal Park Reserve, the 
leading Unit will halt, the succeeding Battalion 
disengage to the right and moving on till the 
heads are in Line,  Arms will then be piled and 
men marched(with dixies) in orderly manner, past 
cooks to receive coffee and biscuits. 
The A.M.C. will not enter the paddock but will   
halt in Park Road, running parallel to Sydney Road.   
On resuming the march, the A.M.C. will move via
Gatehouse Street. 
  
BUGLERS.  11.  Buglers will march throughout, in their position 
in the column. Bands when opposite the Saluting 
Point will turn to the left, wheel to the right 
and halt, at the top of Bourke Street, facing the  
Saluting Point. They will continue playing till 
half the transport xxxxxxxxxx of their own Unit 
has passed, when they will cease, and will move 
off parallel to and on the left of the transport, 
to Lonsdale Street, when they will fall in, in 
rear of their transport( in between the two Battalions) 
remaining during the march. 
  
SPECIAL DUTY.  12.  After marching past, Captains Ellis and Durrant  
will report to the Brigade Major at the corner 
of Spring and Lonsdale Streets. 
                                                        
FORMATION FOR HALT  
RETURN JOURNEY.  13.   On reaching the Haymarket, on the return 
journey Troops will move via Flemington Road and 
enter Royal Park by that entrance. Rear Units will 
disengage and form line of column of route on left
of the leading Battalion.  A.M.C will return to  
rendezvous of morning's halt. 
  
DUTIES FATIGUES.  14.   Only the necessary police and picquets, and not 
more than 20 men per Battalion are to remain in 
Camp. 
                                                      
(Signed)  C.H.Jess. Staff Captain. 
for Brigade Major, Fourth Infantry Bde.  
Australian Imperial Force.

15/12/14 
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE. 
FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE.
  
INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING ROUTE MARCH AND INSPECTION 
 OF FOURTH INFANTRY BRIGADE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR 
GENERAL, ON THURSDAY 17th DECEMBER, 1914. 
  
DRESS AND EQUIPMENT.    1.  All Officers must be correctly dressed and 
equipped. Men not in possession of khaki clothing
and hats are not to parade but will be left in Camp 
included in the 20 allowed for fatigues. 
  
SWORDS.    2.  Officers swords will be drawn when ordered. 
Medical Officers do not draw swords. 
  
SALUTES.    3.  Commanding Officers only, will perform the 
"Marching Past Salute".  Company Commanders will 
come to the carry as they give the command 
 "Eyes Right".  Remaining Officers will come to the 
carry and turn the head. 
  
EYES RIGHT.    4.  Men should be instructed to turn the head well 
to the right and look up on the command "Eyes Right". 
  
TALKING.    5.  Talking in the ranks, or to people in the crowd 
should be immediately checked. 
  
DESIGNATION OF COMPANY.    6.  The number of the Company and not the letter 
should be called i.e. "No. 1. Eyes Right" not 
"A Company, Eyes Right." 
  
DETAILS.    7.  C.O. Reinforcements will arrange to have  5 men
correctly dressed in "Drill Order" at 20 paces 
interval, prolonging either side of the saluting base. 
  
CHECKS.    8.  After passing the saluting point, if any check is made, 
the C.O. of the succeeding Battalion will disengage and
move alongside the right flank of the checked Battalion
in order that the check will not be communicated to the
saluting base. 
If waggons are checked, they must similarly, either
pull out or next waggon go round them. 
  
ORDER OF MARCH.    9.  Order of march of Units of Battalions :- 
Pioneers (with axes) 
Signallers and Cyclists 
Band. 
Buglers and Drummers.
Commanding Officer. 
Adjutant. 
8 Companies. 
Machine Gun Transport. 
Machine Gun Personnel. 
Stretcher Bearers. 
Ammunition Pack. Horses. 
Tool pack Horse. 
Water Carts. 
Cooks and Medical G.S. Waggons.  
  
(Signed)  C.H.Jess. Staff Captain. 
for Brigade Major, Fourth Infantry Brigade.  
Australian Imperial Force.

Tactical Exercise   15/12/14

Contact 
Brown L.H on Sydney Rd   
Brown A.Gd 
Crowding

15.12/14 
Brown Water Cart 10.15 
No negative reports 10.20 
No location in report 10.35 
Exposure in Road 
at Somerton Hotel 
Brown - No L.H. patrol 
10.35 not covered by 
any protection 
10.45 Brown A  G moved 
B. Only 1 C^o A.G. 
B A.G move off - both L.H 
& Inf. in Solid formation 
1 1a.m. White patrol fired on 
when his back to enemy