Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 2, 1 February - 23 February 1915, Part 5

-2-

ADEN (Contd.)

6th Light Horse Regiment.
Enlisted Second Military District.
No. 51, Pte. C.Whitlock ) Medically
No.326,  "  J.W. Weekley) unfit suffering
No.540,  "  E. J.Jones )  from
No.559,  "  G.R.Weekley) Syphilis.

No.455,  "  M.C.Ridley - Medically unfit.

(e) TRANSFER OF PERSONNEL. The following transfers to
the Military Hospital Aden, for special treatment, were
confirmed by the Senior Military Officer of the Detached
Convoy on the 2lst instant :-
5th Light Horse Regiment.
Enlisted First Military District.
No.283, Pte. C.E.Cox (Pneumonia)
No.125,   "  A.A.Mitchell (Empyema supervening measles).

DEPARTURE FROM

ADEN.

3. - The convoy sailed from Aden et 4-45p.m. on 23rd ultimo
and moved is three divisions, the formation being :-

 

"Ceramic"	"Ulysses"	"Themistocles"
"Suevic"	"Vestalia"	"Borda"
"Persic"	"A37"	"Ajana"
"Willechra") New	"A36"	"A42"
"Verdala") Zealand		"Pt. Macquarie".
"Kt.of Garter") Transports

The "Berrima" was detained at Aden for about 23 hours
owing to her anchor contacting with a submarine telegraph
cable, and the tow-line of S ubmarine "AE2" fouling her
("Berrima") starboard propeller.
The "Ayrshire" was also detained for a similar period
through her condensers leaking.

DEATHS.
4. - I regret to report the following deaths which occurred
since the date of my last despatch :-
(a) No.418, Pte. Albert John Yates, Aged 21, 5th
Light Horse Regt., Enlisted 1st Military District,
Transport "A34" ("Persic"), Died 3-30a.m. 16-1-15,
Buried at sea 8a.m. 16-1-15 (Measles and Pneumonia) -
Vide Appendix "B".
(b) No.1211, Pte. Harold Glen Robinson, Age 19½_, 16th
Battn., 4th Inf. Brigade, Enlisted 4th Military
District, Transport 'A40" ("Ceramic"), Died 11-55p.m.
20-1-15, Buried 4p.m. 21-1-15 in Roman Catholic
section of Aden cemetry, Grave No.243 (Measles and
Pneumonia) - Vide Appendix "C". 

-3- 

DEATHS (Contd.)
(c) No.421, Pte. Philip Edward Carlton, Age 24yrs.7 mths.
15th Battalion, 4th Inf. Bde., Enlisted 1st
Military Dist. Transport "A40" ("Ceramic")
Died 1-45a.m. 24-1-15, Buried at sea noon
24-1-15 (Pneumonia) - vide Appendix "D".

(d) No.870, Pte. Frederick Agutter, Aged 27½
15th Battalion, 4th Inf. Bde., Enlisted 1st
Military District, Died 5-35p.m., 27-1-15.
Buried at sea 8p.m. 27-1-15 (Sunstroke) -
Vide Appendix "E". Transport "A4O" ("Ceramic").

(e) No.156, Pte. Roy Vernon Jenkin, Aged 20
years 4 mths., 15th Battalion, 4th Inf. Bde.,
Enlisted 1st Military District, Transport
"A40" ("Ceramic") Died 6-50a.m. 30-1-15 in
Suez Canal, body landed at Fort Said 30-1-15
and taken over by Military Authorities for
burial on shore (Meningitis) - Vide Appendix "F".

The above deceased were duly buried with Military
Honors; in the case of these buried at sea the fleet
stopping for a few minutes.

I attach a complete schedule showing all deaths
during the voyage Melbourne to Alexandria (vide Appendix
"G").

HEALTH OF
TROOPS.
5. (a) Generally speaking, and taking into consideration
the numerical strength, the health of the troops has been
excellent.
(b) With regard to the two appendicitis cases transferred

from Transport "A37" to the Flagship on the 22nd
ultimo (vide paragraph 9(b) of my despatch of 23-1-15),
these cases were operated on by the Senior Medical Officer
of the Convoy (Lieut.-Colonel J.L.Beeston, V.D.), and I
am pleased to say they are making satisfactory progress.
The names of the men referred to are as follows :-
(i) No.3154, Gunner T. McQualter, 1st Refts.,
Field Artillery, 1st Brigade.
(ii) No.3122, Driver R. McNaughton, 1st Refts.,
Field Artillery, 1st Brigade. 

-4-

HEALTH OF
TROOPS.
(c) with regard to Lieut. Bice of 7th Light Horse,
who was reported to be suffering from appendicitis, and
who was consequently transferred at Colombo to the
Flagship (vide paragraph 1(i) of my despatch of 23-1-15).
The case was diagnosed as Diaphragmatic Pleurisy by the
Senior Medical Officer of the Convoy, and I am pleased
to report that an operation was not found necessary;
the patient has made satisfactory progress and it is
intended he shall rejoin his Regiment at final port of
disembarkation.

(d) Privates Howes and McCarthy, "D" Company, 1st
Reinforcements, 4th Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade
(vide paragraph 1(i) of my despatch of 23-1-15), were
not operated on, and rejoined Transport "A32” at Aden
on 23rd ultimo.

MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS.

"THEMISTOCLES".
6. (a) In view of the number of deaths that occurred
on Transport "A32" ("Themistocles"), arrangements were
made to transfer Lieut.-Colonel Bean (A.M.C.) from the
"Borda" to the "Themistocles" for the purpose of assisting
the Medical Officer on the latter transport, and the
transfer was effected at sea on the 22nd ultimo. As
mentioned in paragraph 9(c) of my despatch of 23-1-15,
I arranged for the Ship's Surgeon to assist the Military
Medical Officer as there was a large number of cases in
the hospital.

(b) On arrival at Aden, Lieut.-Colonel Beeston,
Senior Medical Officer of the Convoy specially visited
the "Themistocles" and reported that the epidemic of
pneumonia appeared to be a particularly severe one and
had entailed a great deal of work on the Military Medical
Officer of the ship, and as there was still a number of
serious cases of pneumonia to be dealt with he 

-5- 

recommended, as a special case, that the services of
the Ship's Surgeon be retained until the end of the
voyage. In view of the report of the Senior Medical
Officer, copy attached (vide Appendix "H"), I arranged
with the Principal Transport Officer of the Convoy
for retention of the services of the Ship's Surgeon
on the "Themistocles" until arrival at port of disembarkation.

(c) Lieut.-Colonel Bean returned to the "Borda"
at Suez on the 28th ultimo, previously reporting that
the conditions on the "Themistocles" were quite
satisfactory.

SUEZ.
7. (a) The Convoy arrived at Suez at 4a.m. on the
28th ultimo, anchoring a short distance from the
mouth of the canal.
(b) Captain Wood of the Embarkation Staff, Suez,
came aboard the Flagship at 11a.m. (28th) with
instructions from Headquarters, Cairo, for a Staff
Officer from each of the Brigades to be despatched
that night to Cairo. Arrangements were made for
Colonel Ryrie, Commanding Second Light Horse Brigade,
to comply with the instruction, and Captain Jess was
despatched as Staff Officer representing the Brigade
under my command.

(c) TRANSPORT "A41". Transport "A41", which
remained at Albany, when the convoy left on 3lst
December last, owing to a fire in her bunkers (vide
Paragraph 1(c) of my despatch of 13-1-15), rejoined
the convoy at Suez early on the morning of the 29th
ultimo.

(d) No shore leave was granted while at Suez. 

-6-

DEPARTURE
FROM SUEZ.
8. - The convoy left Suez at 8-45a.m. On the 29th
ultimo, arriving at Ismailia at 4-38p.m. on same
date, anchoring for the night.
The passage along the canal was one of much
interest and was quite an education for all ranks,
as earthworks of considerable magnitude were thrown
up at numerous points along the banks of the canal,
these posts being held mainly by Indian troops.
During the passage along the canal the following
were passed :-
British Battleship "Ocean".
Auxiliary Armed Cruiser "Himalaya".
Orient Mail Steamer "Orsova".
P. & O.Steamer "Persia".
Japanese Mail Steamer "Suwa Maru".
Second Class Cruiser "Requin" (French).

DEPARTURE FROM
ISMAILIA.
9. - The convoy left Ismailia at 8-15a.m. on the
30th ultimo and arrived at Port Said at 3-15p.m.,
the same date passing en route the British Gun Boat
"Clio" and Battleship "Swiftsure", the latter flying
the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir L.R.Pierce, K.C.B.,
M.V.0.

PORT SAID.
10. (a) The reception accorded to the convoy at Port
Said was most enthusiastic.
Shortly after arrival Major Barrett, Registrar,
1st Australian General Hospital, visited the whole of
the transports of the convoy and gave instructions
with a view to preventing the spread of venereal
disease.
A Staff Officer also brought aboard the instructions
regarding disembarkation at Alexandria.

(b) TRANSFER TO HOSPITAL. On arrival at Port Said
O.C.Troops "A34" reported that he had a very serious
case of pneumonia on board which would require transferring 

-7- 

to hospital on shore.
The Senior Medical Officer of the Convoy visited
the "Persic" and concurred in the recommendation.
Accordingly No.507, James Alexander Stewart, 5th
Light Horse Regiment, was transferred to the Infectious
Diseases Hospital at Port Said at 6p.m. on the
30th ultimo.
A copy of the Convoy Order referring to the
transfer has been posted to the Commandant, 1st
Military District.

DEPARTURE FROM
PORT SAID.
11. - The Flagship of the Convoy ("A38") left Port
Said at 12-45a.m. on the 3lst ultimo, the other
transports following independently after completing
coaling and watering.

ARRIVAL AT
ALEXANDRIA.
12. - The Flagship arrived at Alexandria at 3-30p.m.
on 31st ultimo and on being berthed was boarded by
Disembarkation and other Officers.

DEPARTURE OF STAFF
AND DETAILS FROM
ALEXANDRIA.
13. - In accordance with instructions from Headquarters
Cairo, in company with Brigade Headquarters
personnel I left Alexandria at 10-10a.m. on 1st
instant.
The same train carried half of the 13th
Battalion.

ARRIVAL AT CAIRO.
14. - The train referred to in preceding paragraph
arrived at Cairo at 3-15p.m. on 1st instant, the
details were detrained at Helmia Siding, and, headed
by a band of the New Zealand Infantry, were marched
into camp pitched at Aerodrome on the outskirts of
Heliopolis. 

-8-

HORSES LOST.

15. - In continuation of paragraph 22 of my despatch of 13th
ultimo (from Colombo) I append figures showing the total number
of horses lost :-
(a) between port of first embarkation and
Colombo
(b) between Colombo and Alexandria
(c) total for the whole voyage. 

Transport	Lost between port of first disembarkation and Colombo.	Lost between Colombo & Alexandria.	Total lost on voyage.
"A29" ("Suevic")	8	1	9
"A30" ("Borda")	8	1	9
"A31" ("Ajana")	2	9	11
"A32" ("Themistocles")	-	-	- ₶
"A33" ("Ayrshire")	2	1	3
"A34" ("Persic")	5	4	9
"A35" ('Berrima")	-	-	- ₶
"A36"	7	4	11
"A37"	7	-	7
"A38"  ("Ulysses")	0	0	0
"A39" ("Pt. Macquarie")	5	4	9
"A40" ("Ceramic")	-	-	- ₶
"A41"	-	-	3 ÷
"A42"	5	-	5
"A43"	-	-	8 ÷
"A44" ("Vestalia")	14	-	14
Total	63	24	98

₶ No horses shipped
÷ Particulars as to between what ports these horses died are
not obtainable, consequently figures shewn in total column
only.

WEATHER
CONDITIONS.

16. - Since date of my last despatch fine weather and smooth
seas continued.

SENIOR MEDICAL
OFFICER.
17. - I would strongly recommend in connection with the despatch
of any further Convoys that the Senior Medical Officer of the
Convoy should travel on the same transport as the Senior Military
Officer, as numerous questions arise requiring conference
between the two Officers referred to. 

-9-
CONVOY TROOPS
GENERALLY.
18. - Each troopship on arrival at Alexandria was boarded
by a Disembarkation Officer with definite orders for respective
O's C. Troops. The work of disembarking is to be ∧was
carried out independently and troops similarly transported
to their respective destinations. My duty as Senior Military
Officer therefore ceased on arrival at Alexandria.

CONVOY FLAGSHIP
(H.M.A.T.
"ULYSSES")
SHIP'S PERSONNEL

19. - I desire to place on record my sincere and grateful
appreciation of the splendid manner in which the Officers
and Crew of the Flagship have cared for the comfort and
well-being of the troops during the voyage. My thanks
are especially due to Captain Barber, the Master of the
ship, whose unfailing courtesy and thoughtful consideration
have contributed so greatly to the success and safety of the
voyage, both as regards the personal comfort of the troops
and their efficient training while at sea.

CONCLUSION.
20. - I cannot close this series of reports without a reference
to the exemplary services of Lieut.-Colonel J.P.McGlinn,
V.D., as Staff Officer to the Convoy. Throughout the
voyage he has carried out the heavy staff work with untiring
industry and precision, with a completeness and efficiency
which has left nothing to be desired.

John Monash
Colonel
Senior Military Officer, Second Australian Convoy. 

 - - APPENDICES: - -
A. Copy of report of Colonel Ryrie, Senior Military Officer of
Detached Convoy.
B. Copy of report received re death of Private A.J.Yates.
C.  " " " " " " " " H.G.Robinson.
D.  " " " " " " " " P.E.Carlton.
E.   " " " " " " " " F.Agutter.
F.  " " " " " " " "  R.V.Jenkin.
G. Schedule showing deaths on voyage.
H. Copy of report of Senior Medical Officer re Ship's Surgeon
on Transport "A32" assisting Military Medical Officer.
I. Copies of Convoy Orders Nos. 12 and 13.
J. Log Record.

AW 3
 APPENDIX "A".
H.M.A.Transport "A29" ('Suevic")
Aden, 23rd January, 1915.
Sir,
I have to report as follows regarding the period I was
Senior Military Officer of the Detached Convoy consisting of
Transports "A29", "A34." and "A40".

The Convoy as above detached from the main convoy at
8a.m. on the 12th January 1915 at sea and proceeded to Aden,
arriving there at 1 p.m. on the 20th January, 1915.

Nothing of importance occurred till the 16th Jany.
when No.418 Private Albert John Yates of the 5th Light Horse
Regiment died on board Transport "A34" (at sea) at 3-20a.m. as
a result of pneumonia supervening an attack of measles and was
buried at sea.

On the 20th January No. 1211 Private H.G.Robinson of the
16th Infantry Battalion died on board Transport "A40" while at
anchor in Aden harbour as a result of measles and pneumonia.
his remains were interred on shore with Military honours.

The Military Officers commanding troops on the various
Transports reported to me on arrival at Aden and I communicated
with the Brigadier General commanding troops on shore in accordance
with King's regulations. Every assistance and courtesy was at
once extended to the officers and men of the Australian Convoy by
the G.O.C. and staff at Aden andwas much appreciated by all concerned

The deaths were cabled to the A.G.Melbourne, and the
relatives of the d eceased communicated with by letter.

The following is a summary of casualties in men and
horses to date : -

		A29	A34	A40
Deaths
	Men	Nil	1	1
	Horses	9	5	Nil
Sick
	Men	3	52	45
	Horses	Nil	20	Nil
Medically	Unfit
	Discharged	8	Nil	19
Insane		1	Nil	Nil
Under age	Discharged	1	Nil	Nil

The following are the particulars of the personnel landed at
Aden:-

DISCHARGED.

No.	51	Pte.	C.Whitlock	6th L.H.Regt.	Venereal	Disease.
	326	"	J.W.Weekley	"	"	"
	455	"	H.C.Ridley	"
	540	"	E.J.Jones	"	Venereal	Disease.
	559	"	G.R.Weekley	"	"	"

The following men were sent on shore to the Military hospital
for treatment from Transport "A34" (Persic).
No.125 Pte. Allen Archibald Mitchell, 5th L.H.Regt.,
suffering from Emphysema.
No. 283 " Charles Edward Cox, 5th L.H.Regt., suffering from
Pneumonia.