Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 10, 18 November - 25 November 1915, Part 3

"C" Form (Original).                     Army For
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.       No of Message
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£      s.    d.
Charges to collect
Received 
From QA
By W Corker
Sent, or sent out
At   m. To  By 
130
Office stamp.
BQ
18/11/15

Handed in at QA Office  m.  Received 1808 m.
TO 4^th Bde
*Sender's Number    Day of Month    In reply to Number  AAA
  QA 347                        18th                      BM 1639
Password noted
FROM Durrants Post
PLACE & TIME  1905

"C" Form (Duplicate). Army Form C. 2123   
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS. No. of Message
Charges to Pay. 
₤   s.   d.
129
Office Stamp.
Service instructions.
Handed in at            Office    m.   Received    m.
TO   Bde Major  4^th Bde
*  Senders Number.     Day of Month.   In reply to Number     AAA

QE 95                                18                           BM 1634                                                
Password received
FROM CO NZ SubSection
PLACE & TIME 1740   

 

Form (Duplicate).            Army Form C. 2123.
SAGES AND SIGNALS.    No. of Message
QA W Corker  
Charges to Pay. 
£ s. d. 
128
Office Stamp 
BQ 
8/11/15
at   Office    m. Received   m. 
4^th Bde
Sender's Number Day of Month  In reply to Number  AAA
 QA445                      18^th                         BM1638
Instructions noted
FROM                   Durrant's Post
PLACE & TIME    1950

"C" Form (Duplicate). Army Form C. 2123   
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS. No. of Message
SM     16^th Bn
LCorr
Charges to Pay. 
₤   s.   d.
127
Office Stamp.
18/11/15
BQ
Service instructions.
Handed in at      QE      Office    m.   Received   2020 m.
TO   Bde Major 4^th Bde
*  Senders Number.     Day of Month.   In reply to Number     AAA

QE 100                             18th                        BM 1638
Altered dispositions received 
& noted 
FROM                   C.O No2 SubSection
PLACE & TIME    2015




 

"C" Form (Duplicate).              Army Form C. 2123.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.    No. of Message 
SB QE W Corker 
Service Instructions.
Charges to Pay. £ s. d. 
133
Office Stamp.
BQ 
18/11/15 
Handed in at    Office   m. Received    1747m.
TO Bde Major 4^th Bde
Sender's Number   Day of Month   In reply to Number  AAA
QE96                           18^th    
Disposition of N^o 1 SubSection have
not yet arrived Will you
hurry along please
FROM                 CO No2 Sub Section
PLACE & TIME  1745

 

"C" Form (Duplicate).              Army Form C. 2123.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.    No. of Message
QE W Corker 
[*AUSTRALIAN 
4aB/1152
IMPERIAL FORCES
NOV 18 1915
4th Infantry Brigade.*]
Service Instructions.
4AB/1152
Charges to Pay.
 £ s. d. 
134
Office Stamp.
BQ 
18/11/15 
Handed in at   Office    m. Received 1920m.
TO Bde Major 4th Bde
Sender's Number  Day of Month  In reply to Number  AAA
Number one Sub Sections dispositions
arrived here at 1815 aaa
I suggest delaying until 2100
14th patrols departure from barricade
proposed for 2030 aaa On
account of 16th patrols timed 
to return 2100 being unaware
of 14^th patrols please confirm
Urgent
 FROM                 CO N^o2 Sub Section
PLACE & TIME  1915
[* Capt Marks instructed accogly
Confirmed to N^o 1 & 2 SS Bm 1638
 

35
Beauchop's Hill
Anzac
Nov. 18/15
Dear Seelenmeyer.
As Locke is now Staff Captain, & as I have not
so far appointed a permanent orderly officer, I am taking
an interest in the Mess Stores myself.- After a little
experience of the rate of consumption, we find it desirable to
va the quantities for the fortnightly supply, increasing
some items & reducing others. - For this reason, I am
enclosing you an amended list herewith, representing
our fortnightly requirements. - Please put this list
into force, in lieu of previous instructions, on the occasion
of the next & following consignments, which should follow
each other at intervals not exceeding 14 days. -
Please ensure that an invoice of each consignment
l  ves with the consignment, so that same may be
checked immediately on arrival. -
Acknowledge this letter immediately on receipt, please
so that I may know we are in touch. -
Trusting all in well with you
yours faithfully
John Monash
 

36

Mess Stores
required every 14 days - addressed to Bgdr-Genl Monash
                                              G.O.C 4th (Aust) Inf. Bde
                                               Anzac

                                                                                                                                                  
1 doz. tins Milk                                          4 tins Asparagus
15 Oatmeal                                                6 tins Peas
20^lbs Flour                                                 6 tins Tomatoes
4 bottles Tomato Sauce                         2  packets custard powder
1 bottle Pickled Onions                          2    "             Egg powder
1     "       Mixed Pickles                             2lb dried apricots
1     "      Piccalilli                                        2lb dried apples
1     "      Chutney                                       6 tins peaches
1     "      Curry Powder                             6    "    pears
1 ounce  Allspice                                      6    "    pineapple
1     "         Powdered Cinnamon           6    "    salmon 
1 lb           Baking powder                      6    "    sardines
6 lbs           best Margerine                    3   "     Herrings
2 bottles  Coffee Essence                      6    "   Sausages
10 packets Cornflower                           6    "   Lambs Tongues
4 tin or pots Cheddar Cheese             5lb     plain biscuits
1 bottle olives                                            5  "      assorted  do
 4 packets Jellies                                      2 lb    Cadburys Chocolate
1 lb. Fry's Cocoa                                        1 roll    Toilet paper
2 bottles Worcester Sauce                    200     Cigarettes
1 lbs currants                                             1 doz George IV Whisky
 1 lb Raisins                                                                                     
1 lb Sultanas
10 lbs Almonds & Walnuts
3 tins Anchovy Paste
3 pots Liebig Extract of Meat
6 tins assorted Soups
 

37
Anzac
Nov. 18/15
My dear M^cCay.
The action of the Military Board granting promotion
to the substantive rank of Brigadier General to the seven Colonels
as per Gazette of Sep 3/15 has caused something of a stir
here amongst the Imperial Army clique. - The Gazette notice 
was clearly promulgated in Army Corp Orders here, sharing that
& it was accepted by Army Corps without question - But when,
after several days, it came under Godley's notice, he was
furious, & said it was "all a mistake", & expressed his intention 
of inducing Army Corps to write to Pearce to get this action
reversed. - The point is, of course, that it puts Chauvel, &
Hughes & myself (who are all in Godley's division) at some
advantage compared with his own N.Z. pets, F.E. Johnston
(whose Army rank is Major) & Russell whose rank is "temporary"
only. - In case he succeeds in getting Birdwood to recommend 
such action to Pearce, I trust you will have something to
say about it, as you will be equally affected. - I think it
most unbecoming for anyone to question the right of the Australian
Government to give its own officers, in its own Imperial Force, whatever
rank & status it chooses. - Moreover, the action taken is fully
in accord with Army order 35 of 1915, and the dates assigned
to us by London Gazette of July 9/15 - 
Trusting all is well with you

yours sincerely
John Monash 
[*over*]
 

P.S. I am not sure whether it is clear to you that it makes all
the difference in the world to us, whether our rank is substantive
or temporary. - By a recent ruling of the Military Board, all
temporary ranks have to be relinquished as soon is the officer
concerned goes sick or is wounded. - So you will appreciate
how closely this matter affects yourself. -
 

38
Anzac
Gallipoli
Nov. 18/15.
Personal & unofficial

My dear Senator Pearce
My justification for writing you is that I am now senior
Brigadier General present with the Army Corps, - & with a view to safeguarding
our present & future interests. - while I do not reflect upon any officer
senior to me, I am bound to say that Australians here sometimes feel that
in regard to advancements the idea is that "no Australian need apply";-
the Army clique is very strong here, & several appointments for which Australians 
entertained quite legitimate aspirations have gone to Imperial officers.
The action of the Military Board on promoting seven Australian Colonels
to the substantive rank of Brigadier General in the A.I.F. has created some
stir in this clique, who have their eyes on future possibilities; & I have
reason to believe that an attempt may be made to induce you & the
Military Board to reverse their actions in the matter. I sincerely trust
you will not allow such a thing to happen. - The Australian Government 
is surely entirely within its rights in assigning whatever status &
rank it chooses to its own officers, in its own Imperial Force; & it seems
unbecoming of anyone to question, as has been done, the propriety of
such action. - Moreover in mind of Army order 35 of 1915, & of the
announcements in the London Gazette of July 9/15 it appears to me
that the action of the Federal Executive Council was in every way
regular & appropriate. -
Trusting that all is well with you, & with kind regards to
M^rs Pearse
Yours sincerely
John Monash
 

Extract from Daily Report of 18/19-11/15, received
from O.C., No. 2 Sub-Section. :-
Snipers Report. 126
x     x     x    x     x
They have also cut some telephone wires as already
reported by special report."

Extract from Brigade Report to Division (B.M. 1642).
"Patrols also found some telephone Lines about
200 yards EAST from BECKS BLUFF AAA Cut out portion
Further report to follow"
(2)
Staff captain,
Please place with other papers.

Hay Valley, Anzac,                JP McGlinn Lt - Gol
Gallipoli Penin.                      Brigadier Major, 4th. Inf. Bde.
19/11/15.
 

"C" Form (Original).                     Army Form C. 2123.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.       No. of Message 
Prefix  SM Code  Words
£      s.    d.
Charges to collect
Received 
From 13th
By RAG
Sent, or sent out
At.... m. To.... By....
147
Office stamp.
BQ
19/11/15

Handed in at.... Office....m.  Received.... m.
TO 4^th Bde
*Sender's Number    Day of Month 19   In reply to Number AAA
QA 449                            19                              ____
Report for 24 hours ended 0500
19/1/11 aaa
(1) Sniping tally Nil aaa 7 to date aaa
(2) Casualties 1 Naw 13th Bde Ruled aaa
(3) Work in hand 2 additional 
Housing Systems Commenced aaa. The work
under way should when completed
accommodate all Supports & local reserves
aaa completed tunnel approach to left
of No1 post aaa
(4) Hackney Wick observation Movement
noticed during the day & late in the
afternoon, our Machine guns & snipers
got on to a party which was engaged
deepening trenches aaa No result
could be observed but the work cease
FROM
PLACE & TIME

"C" Form (Original).                     Army Form C. 2123.
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.       No. of Message 
Prefix    Code    Words 
£      s.    d.
Charges to collect
Received 
From  
By
Sent, or sent out
At     m. 
To
By
Office stamp.
146

Handed in at    Office    m.  Received    m.
TO
*Sender's Number   Day of Month   In reply to Number  AAA

aaa
(5) Patrols at listening posts Nothing
to report

Div
Bn
16th
JM.
FROM                   Durrants Post
PLACE & TIME    0500