Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 12, 1 March - 29 April 1916, Part 3

COMPOSITION IN DETAIL

(a) includes 1 corporal                  (b) 8 range takers and 8 scouts
(c) All batmen are fully armed and trained soldiers and are available for duty in the ranks

MACHINE GUN COMPANY
TRANSPORT

(d) for lead horses   (e) 7,000 rounds in each limbered wagon.
                                     (f) 18,000 rounds.

Tel-el-Kebir.
2nd. March 1916.
To.    Officers Commanding Brigades & Divisional Units
FOURTH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
It has been suggested to me that, as a medium for the
social intercourse of officers of the Fourth Division, and for
their comfort and entertainment during the stay at Tel-el-Kebir,
it would be desirable to organise an Officer's Club, located
in a central position in the Camps of the Division.
An outline proposal for such an Institution is annexed.
 Its establishment would, of course, require the approval
of higher authority.
If you favour the idea, will you please let me know,
and I would thereupon ask each Brigade and Divisional Unit
to send, say, two representatives to a general meeting to go more
closely into details and to launch the proposal.
Yours faithfully,
BRIG-GENL.
Commdg. 4th. Aust. Inf. Bde
Copies to.
C. E. A.
C. R. E.
G.O. 12th. Inf. Bde.
G.O. 13th. Inf. Bde.
C.O. Div. Sigs.
C.O. Div. Train.
Senior C.O. Field. Ambulance.

FOURTH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION OFFICER'S CLUB
The membership of the "Club" to be confined to Officers of 
the Fourth Australian Division..
The subscription to be two shillings per week per officer.
On the full strength of the Division, this subscription would
yield (roughly) sixty pounds per week, but in the earlier stages
until Divisional Troops join, and while the Brigades are under
strength, a revenue of about thirty pounds per week can be
counted upon.
These sums would suffice to pay for upkeep of building, hire
of furniture, piano and other plant, magazines and newspapers,
salaries and wages, and general expenses.
To simplify finances, the subscriptions would be handed to
the committee in bulk each week by Brigades and Divisional
Units.
The affairs of the Club to be administered by a Committee
comprising one representative of each Infantry Brigade and a
each Divisional Formation;  the Committee to appoint a
Chairman, Secretary , and Treasurer.
A paid manager or steward and necessary servants would be
engaged by the committee.

2.
The conveniences of the Club would comprise:- A large
common room, with bar and buffet annexed, a card room,
a billiard room with two or more tables, shower baths,
and latrines, a reading and writing room, a committee
room or office and necessary sanitary and managerial
adjuncts.
The bar would provide wines, ale, spirits, tobacco,
cigarettes, cigars and sweets on a price scale to be
settled by the Committee;  the reading and writing room would
provide a full supply of stationery, and reference
literature, also current French and English daily, weekly
and monthly magazines, journals and newspapers.  The
billiard and card rooms would be suitably organised.
The common room would have a piano and facilities for
smoke concerts and social meetings of officers.
The provision of set meals would probably interfere with
regimental messes, but arrangements could be made to serve
afternoon tea on the usual lines, and a light supper of
coffee, soups and sandwiches.
Billiards, cards, bar and other refreshments, would be
self supporting on a scale of payment to be arranged by
the committee.  The revenue of the Club would be devoted
to the cost of establishing the building, the provision

3
by hire and purchase of furniture and plant, reading matter
stationery, gramophone etc. etc., and the payment of services
and conservancy.
Special arrangements to be made for receiving and posting
war and other news and bulletins of interest.
As an adjunct to the club there could be run, under its
supervision, a high class laundry, and the repair cleaning
and pressing of clothing.
The costs of the building would be covered by the actual
cost of labour of erection and furnishing, and the temporary
hire for a period of say 8 weeks or more of the necessary
materials and furniture.  It is probable that a Contractor
would be found who would undertake the provision of all
requirements in the matter of fixtures for a moderate fixed
sum, to cover initial expenditure plus the prospective
profits from sales of refreshments, and revenue from games.
When the club dissolves, any monies remaining in the hands
of the committee can be refunded to units, pro rata, for
regimental comforts funds.
The Committee would be wholly responsible for the establishment
and enforcement of rules for the good order and management
of the club on lines which would render the Club an agreeable
and comfortable meeting place for all officers,
both senior and junior, of the whole Division.

2/3/16
Nominal Roll of Officers available to command
4^th Machine Gun Company
Major Wilton 16^th B^n.
M.G. course at Duntroon 1914
Rather lacking in force and initiative
Capt. Black 16^th B^n.
Gallipoli experience with 
Acting Bde. M.G.O. 4^th B^de for a time.
Good Subordinate Officer but unsuitable for
such a command which is practically independent.
Capt. Hopkins 13^th B^n.
M.G. Course Duntroon 1914
Commanded a company in Gallipoli
Good fighter with dash & initiative
Good drill & disciplinarian.
R. G. Sigge  Capt
B.M.G.O.   4^th A.I.Bde.
 [*15*]
[*  1
    6
    4
   __
    11 *] 

3/3/16

PROGRAMME OF TRAINING - LEWIS GUNS
 

PROGRAMME OF TRAINING, LEWIS GUNS (Continued)

M.E.F. 21st. February 1916.

4/3/16
3 Ambulances in
Divn 4 12 13
quite agreeable re
Club & will fall
into line