Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 9, 29 August - 1 September 1915, Part 6

28
659
Lance Corporal C. R. MURFITT
Brigade Signal Section
On the morning of 8^th inst
Telephonic Communications between the
Bde Headqrs & 16^th Battalion attacking column became interrupted the
line having been repeatedly cut damaged by by fire 
Shrapnel in several places. The 
maintenance of this communication
was most vital and Lance Corporal
Murfitt went out under heavy fire
to d restore the circuit. He was
seen by Lieutenant Colonel Pope
proceeding along the line, stopping
several times, at the various trenches, 
t and working under heavy shrapnel 
tt & sniping fire. The Services received
by Lance Corporal Murfitt in restoring communications under
circumstances of such conspicuous
gallantry were most valuable.

24
13/102

From C.O., 13th Battalion
To G.O.C., 4th Inf. Brigade.

I beg to bring under your
notice for special recognition,
Major S.C.E. Herring for
exceptional skill and coolness
during the operations of the 6th/7th
August in maintaining the
cohesion of the Battalion throughout
the difficult night march from
ANZAC to the outpost line in
AUSTRALIA VALLEY.
The success of the Battalion
in reaching and taking up
its allotted position on
unknown ground was largely
due to this officers work.
LE Tilney Lieut-Col
C.O., 13th Battalion
Witness:
F.V. Thompson Lt
Adj

25
C.O. 13^th Battⁿ
Sir,
I beg to report that
1124 Pte R.R. Chapman 13th Btn  Hd.
Qtrs Signaller while bringing
back a message was
wounded xxx. This man was
hit about 20 yards from me xxx
He ran over skyline and
fell exhausted xxx Passing
the message to me and
requesting same to be sent
on at once he told me he
was hit xxx His first thought
was the message xxx.
HTaylor / Lt
"C" Coy
16^th Batt.
Witness
J. Macpherson/L^t
16^th Battⁿ
JM
3

27
13/101
From C.O., 13th Battalion
To G.O.C., 4th Inf. Brigade.

I beg to bring under your
notice for special recognition the
following Officers and men of
13th Battalion.
Capt. J.E . Lee and 2/Lieut J. Annoni.
On the night of 6th/7th August for 
gallantly leading their Platoons 
and clearing the heights of the
Aghyl Dere Gorge to enable
the column to pass through.
The enemy's strength was unknown.

Capt. C. B. Hopkins. On the night
of 6th/7th August for the coolness
and skill displayed by him
on reaching the Outpost position
in getting his men in hand, and in 
taking up and consolidating
the firing line, in the presence of
the enemy.
N^o 1124 Pte R.R. Chapman - Signal
JM

26
2.
Section. For devotion to duty in
delivering an important message
as per statement attached by
Lieuts. Taylor and Macpherson of
16th Battalion. 
LE Tilney Lieut-Col
C.O., 13th Battalion, A.I.F.
Witness
Sydney CE Herring Major
 

Reserve
13/8/15
33
From C.O. 15^th Bn
To Brigadier 4^th Brigade

I wish to bring to your
notice acts of gallantry performed
by my battalion and others dates
of such being shown against each
J H Cannan Lt Col
C/C 15 Bn

Captain J.M. Rose.
This officer showed great courage.
and coolness when commanding rearguard
action composed of Brigade Machine Guns
& 50 members of of 14^th, 15^th & 16^th Bns &
protected retirement of 4^th Bde bringing
back with him all wounded also rifles
& munitions f and also supervised
collection of wounded in immediate front
of 1^st Rearguard position and in
final phases of retirement remained
with the last squad of infantry and
covered final retirement
Date 8^th August 1915 
JM
Witnesses  { 81 Sgt. A. L. Langborne MGS
                     { 87 Cpl W. E. Smith
74

32
Th
Captain W J M Locke
Brigade Staff
This officer's services were placed
at my disposal for the night march
and attack up the northern slopes
of the Abdel Rahman Bair.
He proved most valuable to me
in guiding the column and selecting
successive lines of advance and
throughout the operation displayed
great calmness and was most helpful
in the conduct of the action
8^th August 1915
Witnesses  { J.H. Cannan Lt. Col
TPM^cSharry Capt
Adj^t 15^th Bn. 
76