Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 11, 31 January - 29 February 1916, Part 5

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Exercise - Tuesday. 8th February.
1916.

1. The Division will practise by day the
movements and
formations that will adopted during night
operations to be
held on the night 11/12 February. Formations,
distances,
methods of leading and keeping up connection
etc. will be
identical with those proposed for actual night
operations.
The pace however will be as for daylight
operations. & horses
will be ridden by Mounted officers.

2. The General Idea is as published for the
Divisional
Exercise on the 2/4 February, 1916, except that all "gaps"
in the defensive line will be 250 yards wide.
Those required for use will be marked by red
flags by
day and by white lights (screened from the
enemy) at night.

3. Formation adopted will conform to the
following : -

(a) Preliminary movements and formations are
to be such that
on approaching the gap no change of
formation is necessary.
(b) The gaps are to be passed on the widest
possible front
and in the shortest possible time: therefore
intervals
and distances will be reduced to a minimum.

(c) Formations are to be such that changes of
direction by
Brigades can be easily effected without
confusion.
(d) The Formation during the approach march
should be such
that deployment for attack can be effected without any
extensive lateral movement of troops forming
the first
two lines.
(e) For the assault the formation will be as
shown on
attached diagram.
(f) All 1st Line Transport (other than machine
guns) and
led horses will follow the Div. Reserve Brigade at
a
distance of 200 yards. Each Brigade will detail
an
Officer to command 1st Line Transport.

(Sgd.) W.R.PINWELL, Lieut-Colonel,
General Staff,
N.Z. &  A. Division.
-------------------------
MOASCAR,
7th February, 1916.
 

4aB
2607
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
FEB 7 1916
4th Infantry Brigade.
Moascar Camp.
Ismailia.
7th. February 1916.

TO. COMMANDING OFFICERS:
ALL BRIGADE UNITS.

Preliminary Instructions for Divisional
Exercise Feby. 8th. 1916

The Brigade must be ready to move tomorrow
morning at 0815
sharp.
16th. Battalion will be the Battalion of direction
and will lead
the column, followed by 13th, 14th, 15th xxxxx
Battalions in the
order named.
No 1st Line
Transport or Machine Gun Sections to be taken;
the latter will carry on training under Brigade
Machine Gun Officer.
Musketry set down for tomorrow is cancelled.
C.O's and Adjutants, and Brigade Staff to attend
conference
at Brigade Headquarters Mess at 2000 this
evening.

J.P.McGlinn
Lieut-Col.
Brigade Major.
4th. Aust. Inf. Bde

O. C.
Battalions
O . O
to GOC

 

FOURTH    AUSTRALIAN    INFANTRY      BRIGADE.
R E T U R N    O F    T E N T S.
MOASCAR CAMP - 7-2-16.
------------------

144x4 = 576
              41____
             617 for full Brigade
             ====
 

Cox's Shipping Agency
Consign 7-2-16
Alexandria

No news yet of box case advised in  
[[ns?]] xx twenty ninth Please expedite
General Monash
Ismailia
 

                                                                       100
various small sums jotted down, some illegible
no words

 

TELEPHONES 1401 - 1402
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS "COXIA" ALEXANDRIA
HEAD OFFICE
16 CHARING CROSS, LONDON S. W.

BRANCHES
ALEXANDRIA.                    BOMBAY.
PORT SAID.                         CALCUTTA.
CAIRO                                  KARACHI.
MARSEILLES (AGENCY).  RAWAL PINDI.
PARIS (AGENCY).               SRINAGAR (KASHMIR).
BOULOGNE (AGENCY).   (AGENCY W.H.MILLS &
CO.)
LIVERPOOL.                        PIREUS (AGENCY).
ROUEN (AGENCY).            SOUTHAMPTON.

Cox's Shipping Agency L^td
(in connection with Mess^rs Cox & C^o.
1, Rue Cherif Pacha,
Alexandria
(P.O. BOX N^o 844)
IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE
CG/.
SHIPPING DEP^T.
Februar 8th.1916        191.....

Brig. General J. Monash,
G.O.C. 4th Inf. Bde.,
ISMAILIA

Sir,
In accordance with your telegraphic
 instructions of the
7th inst., we have despatched to you the case
we were holding
in your name, for which we enclose Railway
ticket N^o96484/147.
We beg to hand you herewith our account
N^o1630, for
₣ 83.5 or 17/2d, and shall be glad to receive a
remittance for
same at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully
[[?]]
Manager

(*Money order N^o 4050/65 sent 14-2-16.
receipt same attached.*)
 

N^o 1630
_________________
C. &.S. 1761

1, Rue Cherif Pacha,
ALEXANDRIA, (EGYPT) FEBRUARY 8, 1916

Brig.-Gen. J. Monash,
G.O.C. 4th Inf. Bde.,
ISMAILIA

In account with Cox's Shipping Agency L^td
FREIGHT & INSURANCE BROKERS & AGENTS
Charges on 1 Packages   Shipped perxxx  
S/S  Sent to Ismailia

MARKS & Nos.
Havza   }
C. H. D. }   ....   Port Said Office Charges     .... 
                                                                ₣ 49  5
Frais locaux     }
Local charges }
Camionnage                                           "  10  -
Cartage or porterage }
Debarquement }
Landing               }
Embarquement }
Shipping              }
Droits de Douane }
Customs dues        }
Droits de Quai }
Quay dues        }
Ardich (Magasinage) }
              (Storage)          }
Ardahal (papier timbré)    }
                (stamped paper) }
Transport par chemin de fer} R/P No. 484/147
Freight by Rail                           }             " 14  -
Transport par le Nil                   }
Freight by Nile                           }  B/L No.
Frais d'encaissement par Poste }
Postal collecting expenses          }
Menus frais, déclaration de douane, timbres-
poste, Télégrammes, Phone etc. } 
Charges, expenses postages Telegrams, Phone}
Bonded Receipt No.

.......office a/c/  }  £ ........ }
                           } Frs........}
Commission d'Agence)                          " 10 -
Agency fee and Collection Commission }
               Insurance  £   ....  @ .....
                                                                                                                                                         ____________                                                                                                                                                                        ₣ 83  5                                                                           ===========
₤   17/2   For COX'S SHIPPING AGENCY Ltd.
 

AUSTRALIAN 
IMPERIAL FORCE
FEB 8 1916
4th Infantry Brigade.

UNIDENTIFIED CASES OF DEATHS ON HOSPITAL SHIPS & IN HOSPITALS.
                       ___________________

IF ANY INFORMATION OF VALUE WHICH MAY LEAD
TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE
INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED BELOW CAN BE GIVEN, IT SHOULD
BE FORWARDED TO D.A.G., 3^RD ECHELON, ALEXANDRIA.
                     ____________________

1.  Patient admitted to 19 General Hospital
unconscious ex Hospital Ship "DEVANHA".
No particulars regarding Unit, Name, Number,
Rank or Initials available; no other possible
means of identification. Arrived at Hospital in
Ambulance with three other Australian patients,
all of whom have seen man and failed to
recognise him. Date of admission to Hospital
13-8-15, died 4-45 p.m., 22-8-15, gunshot wound,
head, fractured skull.

2. Patient admitted Hospital Ship "NEURALIA"
28th June, no particulars regarding Unit,
Regimental Number, Name, Rank or Initials
available. Evidently over 30. Dark hair, brown
eyes, clean shaven. On left foot tattoo mark of
"The Anchor's Weighed". Anchor being
represented by symbol. Left arm tattoo mark
"Sailor and Flag" ; girl in short petticoats
carrying
basket. Underneath forearm "Clasped Hands"
right forearm Heart transfixed with Dagger.
Hands clasped encircled by words "Forget-me-
not". Girls head and shoulders and snake. Died
1st July gun-shot wound head buried at sea.

3.  Patient admitted Hospital Ship "DEVANHA"
2nd May, was wearing a coat, which
contained Pay Book of another wounded
soldier, no particulars of identification available.
Died
same day, buried at sea. Particulars of wound
not available.

4. Patient admitted to 15th General Hospital ex
Hospital Ship "GUILDFORD CASTLE"
16th May. No possible means of identification.
Died 24th May, gun shot-wound head.

5. Patient admitted H.M.T. "Franconia" 10th May,
no disc or Pay Book; no effects. Died
same day, gun-shot wound abdomen.

6. Patient admitted Hospital Ship "BRAEMAR
CASTLE" 9th May, no Disc or other means
of identification. Died same day, Abdominal
wounds.

7. Patient admitted Hospital Ship "BRAEMAR
CASTLE" 11th May, no Disc or other
means of identification. Died 12th May,
Abdominal wound (rifle).

8. Patient admitted Hospital Ship "SOMALI" 6th
June. No Identity Disc, no particulars
available. Died same day, gun-shot wound head.

9. Patient admitted Baviere Hospital Malta 15th
August, admitted from Hospital Ship, name
unknown. Died same day, fracture skull. Buried
Pieta Cemetery, Grave No. 6 B.

10. Patient admitted Greek Hospital Alexandria
22nd September from Hospital Ship
"NEURALIA", died 1st October gun-shot wound
head. No particulars available of any description.

11. Patient admitted No. 15 General Hospital ex
Hospital Ship "LUTZOW" 30th April.
died 4th May, gun-shot wound head. No
identity disc or other particulars available.

12. Patient admitted Hospital Ship
"GLOUCESTER CASTLE" 6th August from Beach.
Died 7th August gun-shot wound head. Buried
at sea. No identity disc or effects. Was wearing
Australian Breeches (only) when admitted.

13. Patient admitted 26th Casualty Clearing
Station 28th November. No Identity Disc or
effects. Died immediately after admission, from
exposure. Brought from Trenches unconscious.

T. E. O'LEARY.
Brigadier-General,
Deputy Adjutant General,
3rd Echelon General Headquarters,
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.
15th January 1916.
 

Statements With Regard to Officers Reported
Wounded and Traced to Dressing
Stations etc.,
of whom all Subsequent Trace has been Lost.

If any Further Information of value can be Given
it Should be Forwarded
to D.A.G., 3rd Echelon. Alexandria.
___________________

Case No. 2.

2nd Lieut PRETYMAN R. E.

2nd Lieut. Pretyman was reported missing 10th
August, and further reported wounded
not missing on A.F B.158, dated 31-8-15. This
officer was seen to fall apparently wounded
on CHUNUK BAIR about 0900 on the 10th
August. On the 11th August he was reported
missing believed wounded, and on the 14th
August was reported wounded by Captain R.V.
Pollok (Brigade Major) to G.H.Q. This report was
based on evidence received from Staff
of a Dressing Station which had been at No. 3
Post ANZAC DERE on 10th August. Although
2nd Lieut. Pretyman's name did not appear in
their books the officer in charge was certain
that he (2nd Lieut Pretyman) had passed
through. Cablegram from Staff Captain 29th
Infantry
Brigade dated 4th September states that he
was informed that 2nd Lieut Pretyman was
wounded in hand and passed through to
Hospital Ship. It is stated by Lieut. Reid 10th
Divisional
Royal Engineers that a sergeant in 2nd Lieut.
Pretyman's Section wired that he (2nd
Lieut. Pretyman) was on a Hospital Ship and
further stated that this information was
confirmed
by D.A.Q.M.G., Anzac, by wire, and a Corporal in
Lieut. Pretyman's Section. It is
stated that Captain McCleverty (Brigade Major)
fifteen minutes before he himself was
wounded saw Lieut. Pretyman hit in the groin
and sent him with a man (No. 44125,
Section 2, 10th Signal Coy. R.E., Corporal Arthur
Leslie Harris, formerly groom to
Lieut. Pretyman) to a Dressing Station, but
never saw him again. 2nd Lieut. Pretyman
was also seen going to the rear supported by
Harris, by Lieut. J. H. Pollock 6th Royal Irish
Rifles, and Lieut. Pollok appears to have lost
sight of the party about 300 yards behind the
firing line. 2nd Corporal L. Johnson, 2nd. Section,
10th Signals, with Sergeant Reeman of
the same section state they visited the Base at
Mudros to ask after their kits, and were
informed by the permanent guard that Lieut.
Pretyman's kit had been wired for from
Alexandria,
and had been sent. The guard could not say
from whom the wire was received.
 

Captain McCleverty at an interview with Mr.
William Pretyman (father of 2nd Lieut.
Pretyman) stated he was under the impression
that Lieut. Pretyman was wounded in the
groin, and this he gathered to be the case solely
from the fact that his tunic had a patch
of blood over that place on the right side, but
he, Captain McCleverty, now thinks that it must
have been his right hand that was wounded.

Sergeant Barge who was wounded two days
before Lieut. Pretyman states Lieut.
Pretyman carried his identity disc on a flimsy
chain, and knows of it having dropped off on
various occasions. it is stated that Sapper
Kennedy told Sergeant Barge that Lieut.
Pretyman got out of a stretcher to let someone
else get in, and that Sergeant Barge also
states he heard that the ground where Lieut.
Pretyman was standing was afterwards
shelled and caught fire.

Corporal Harris referred to above states that he
saw Lieut. Pretyman pass close to him on
10th August about 6 a.m., hurrying down the hill
towards the shore holding his right hand
away from his side. He Corporal Harris, was
taking a message at the time Captain
McCleverty told him to look after Lieut.
Pretyman. The message was an urgent one, but
he noticed the direction in which Lieut.
Pretyman was going, and having delivered the
message returned to the place ten minutes
later. The ground was steep, with thick
green bushes as high as a man. Harris searched
for half an hour when he was sent
with another message by the Brigade Major,
38th Brigade, down to the shore. On the way
he passed wounded, but none of these had
seen Lieut. Pretyman. Harris further states
that he heard that the place where he last saw
Lieut. Pretyman was shelled and caught
fire. No further official report beyond that of
being wounded 10th August has been
received.
 

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Order No. 4 (Training)       Copy No.
Ref 1:100,000
Sheet ISMAILIA

1.
INFORMATION.
The enemy attacked ISMAILIA from the North
on the night
6/7 and during the 7th February: all these
attacks were
repulsed. During the 8th he is reported to be
bringing up
fresh troops to the vicinity of K.5 with a view to
attack
at dawn on the 9th Feb.

2.
INTENTION.
The Division will move out through the
defensive line
through gap "C" (250 yards wide) to a position of
assembly
(marked by a red flag) 1 mile N.W. of the gap
and from there
will advance on K.5 with a view to attacking the
enemy at
0430 - 9th Feb. on a frontage of 1500 yards, the
left being
directed on K.5.

The following orders apply to the DAYLIGHT
Practise only :-
3.
ORDER OF MARCH
Div. H.Q.            8.30 a.m.   ) Troops will pass the                                                       West Level
4th A.I.Bde.      8.30 a.m.   )  Crossing over the                                                          Cairo -
N.Z.Inf.Bde.      8.45 a.m.   )  Ismailia Railway as                                                         per margin.
N.Z.Rifle Bde    9.0   a.m.   )  The general direction                                                     of the
(less 3 Battns)                      )  "gap" will be the                                                              N.W. by W.
1st Line Transport               )  distance 1½ miles .                                                         At a
& led Horses      9.5   a.m.   )  distance of 1 mile                                                           from the
(less M. Guns) .                     )  starting point Brigades will
                                                    assume the
formation in which
they will pass the gap (vide diagram). The N.Z.
Inf. Bde.
will form up on the right of the 4th A.I. Bde. The
N.Z.
Rifle Bde. (less 3 Battalions) will be in reserve.

4.
POSITION OF 
DEPLOYMENT.
The position of deployment will be marked by
three
flags. The distance and compass bearing to this
position
will be communicated on the ground.
For formation to be adopted at position of
deployment
see diagram.

5. A haversack ration will be carried.

(Sgd. ) W.R. PINWILL, Lieut-Colonel,

General Staff,
N.Z. & A. Division.
------------------------
Copies issued to all concerned.