Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 13, 1 July - 16 August 1916, Part 9

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14. Brigade Headquarters at No. 28 Rue de Lille, Bailleul, will

close, except for very urgent business, at 8 p.m. to-night.

It will close altogether at 12 midnight. It will re-open at

a time and place to be notified later.

15. To be promptly acknowledged in writing by C.Os. or Adjutant.

 

JMADurrant

Major.

Brigade Major.

4th Aust. Inf. Bde.

Issued at 2.45 p.m. co:-  File                                  Copy No. 1

                                             G.O.C.                                               2

                                             Orderly Officer                              3

                                             Brigade Major                              4

                                             13th Battn                                      5

                                             14th Battn                                      6

                                             15th Battn                                      7

                                             16th Battn                                      8

                                            No. 4 A.M.G. Coy                            9

                                            No. 4 A.L.T.M. Battery                  10

                                            No. 4 Field Coy.                             11

                                            Fourth Field Ambulance           12

                                             No. 7 A.S.C. Coy                            13

                                             4th Aust. Div.                                14

                                             Brigade Signals                           15

                                             Staff Captain                                16

                                             War Diary                                      17

 

To accompany Operation Order no. 21.

SECRET

4th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE

ENTRAINMENT PROGRAMME.

 

Train No. 1. Ready to load 12.28 a.m. Departure 3.28 a.m. from BAILLEUL

Unit - 4th Field Company

Train No. 2. Ready to load 1.28 a.m. Departure 4.28 a.m. from BAILLEUL WEST.

Units :- Brigade Headquarters

              Brigade Signal Section

               No. 4 A.M.G. Co.

               No. 4 A.L.T.M. Battery.

Train No. 3. Ready to load 3.33 a.m. Departure 6.28 a.m. from BAILLEUL.

UNIT: 15th Battalion.

Train No. 4. Ready to load 4.33 a.m. Departure 7.28 a.m. from BAILLEUL WEST.

UNIT: 16th Battalion.

Train No. 5. Ready to load 6.33 a.m. Departure 8.58 a.m. from BAILLEUL

UNIT: 14th Battalion.

Train No. 6. Ready to load 7.33 a.m. Departure 10.28 a.m. from BAILLEUL WEST.

UNITS: Fourth Field Company Ambulance

No. 7 A.S.C. Coy.

Train No. 7. Ready to load 9.3 a.m. Departure 12.28 a.m. from BAILLEUL

UNIT: 13th Battalion.

Note: L.T.M. Battery takes its mortars and barrows with it.

Blankets brought to present billets in bulk will be loaded in bulk.

 

FOURTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE.

BRIGADE ROUTINE ORDER NO. 557.

SPECIAL.

14th July 1916.

Upon relinquishing the command of the Fourth Australian

Infantry Brigade, in order to take up duties elsewhere, I

wish to convey to all ranks of the Brigade my very sincere

thanks for the loyal assistance and support which I have

at all times received from everyone; my warm appreciation

of the soldierly qualities of the Brigade, and my earnest

wishes for its future success in all its undertakings.

Having been with the Brigade continuously from the

day, nearly two years ago, of its first formation, and

throughout its war training and its campaigning in

Gallipoli, Egypt and Flanders, it is a source of pride

to me that the Brigade has made and maintained so high

a reputation among Australian troops.

I now part from you all with whom I have been so

long and so closely associated with feelings of great

regret, tempered only by the knowledge that you can be

relied upon to carry on, until complete victory crowns

our arms, the fine traditions for which all have so

earnestly striven.

JOHN MONASH

Brigadier-General.

 

 

14/7/1916

Copy of telegram from 1st ANZAC, dated 14th July, addressed

to 4th Australian Division. -

T410

begins - "Please direct General MONASH to proceed ENGLAND to

report to Military Secretary, War Office, LONDON, for

instructions AAA Authority G.H.Q. telegram F.8968, dated

13th July." - ends.

4th AUSTRALIAN DIVISION

14 JUL. 1916

M.L.O.

BASE BOULOGNE

15 JUL 1916

 

1st AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORPS.

Headquarters,

14th July, 1916.

Brig.-General J. MONASH, C.B., V.D.

You will proceed to ENGLAND in connection with

your duty forthwith, with Lieutenant SIMONSON and one batman.

Ralanuthers Maj. General

for Lieutenant-General.

Commanding 1st Australian & New Zealand Army Corps.

 

G.                        4 copies

INWARD           62/1/16

The Administrative Headquarters Australian Imperial Force.

COPY OF CABLEGRAM

As shown {  Date and time lodged for transmission  7.22 a.m. 16/7/16

on Cable  {  Date and time received in London           9.9 a.m.        "

No. T420  Date and time received at Administrative Headquarters A.I.F.

                      9 30 a.m. 16/7/16

From  1st. Anzac France

To  Administrative Headquarters A.I.F. London

T420 15 July AAA Following message received from General

Headquarters Begins - Brigadier General MONASH and Colonel

GRIMWADE should report to A.I.F. 130 Horseferry Road

Westminster and not to War Office ends. Inform all

concerned.

1st. Anzac.

Working Copy to AB

Copies for information to Qa

 

 

AUSTRALIAN NATIVES' ASSOCIATION,

17/7/16

(LONDON BRANCH)

LADIES' SEWING ROOM.

Date as postmark

 

DEAR MADAM,

May I draw your attention to the LADIES' SEWING ROOM which is held, under the
 auspices of the London Branch of the Australian Natives' Association, at the Palace Hotel, 
Bloomsbury Street, W.C.  The Room is open for work on Tuesdays and Fridays, from
10.30 a.m. to 5.0 p.m., and the working parties consist of Lady Members of the A.N.A., and
other Australian Ladies in London.  The arrival of our Australian Soldiers in France gives
 rise to a new and urgent need for an energetic extension of the work of the Sewing Room,
and additional workers are much needed.  May I hope that you will be interested in the
matter, so that, if possible, you may join us as a regular worker? I may mention that a
number of ladies, whose work is of great value, do not find it possible to attend for two
whole days per week; such workers sometimes arrange to come regularly on one morning or
one afternoon per week, and such partial attendance, if reasonably regular, is very welcome.  In
certain cases, also, it is possible for ladies to call at the Sewing Room during working hours
and to take work home with them, to be returned when completed.

 

The Sewing Room has now been at work for a year, and during that time some 400
garments, including shirts, pyjamas and woollen articles, have been turned out.  A considerable 
number of these have been distributed through the Australian War Contingent
Association, while a number of others have been made in connection with the "Brisbane
Courier Patriotic Fund", administered by Lady Robinson.  A certain number of garments
have also been distributed direct to Soldiers on leave in London in cases of special need which
have been brought to the notice of the Committee.  This latter branch of the work is in need
of considerable extension, while the large increase in the numbers of the Australian Army
requires increased effort in all branches of the work.

 

If you are interested, I hope that you will call at the Sewing Room during working
hours to see the work in progress, when we hope to enrol you among our regular workers.
If you should not be able to call, I shall be glad if you will communicate by letter addressed
to the Sewing Room, Palace Hotel, Bloomsbury Street, W.C.  Donations, either in kind-such
as materials suitable for making shirts or pyjamas-or in money, will be welcomed by the 
Committee.

 

I am, dear Madam,

Yours faithfully,

(Mrs.) L. ROSENHAIM,

Hon. Organiser.

 

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE

HEADQUARTERS.

9TH INFANTRY BRIGADE.

No.2 Camp

Lark Hill

20th July, 1916

 

CONFIDENTIAL.

 

General Officer Commanding

3rd Division,

Australian Imperial Force.

 

I have to report as follows concerning Lieut. Col.
G.A.H. Holborrow, Commanding Officer, 35th Battalion A.I.F.

 

(1) This Officer's control over his men is not
 efficient.  The discipline of the Battalion was not
good while in Camp at Newcastle, N.S.W.  It became
much worse on the Transport, there being 14 Courts-
Martial and 184 Crimes dealt with during the voyage.
Two men escaped from detention - one man twice - but no 
one was crimed for want of vigilance.  There are now
three men awaiting District Court Martial whose papers
are being prepared.

 

(2) The sentences awarded by the Courts (drawn from
Officers of the 35th Battalion) in eleven cases were,
with two exceptions, under 28 days detention.

 

(3) After the Battalion's departure from Newcastle the 
Brigade Major inspected its camp and found it to be in 
a very dirty condition.  A report from the 36th Battalion, who cleaned up the Camp, confirms this and
states that 48 cartloads of rubbish were taken away.
A report from Lieut. Col. Holborrow on the matter states
that "the camp was inspected by me at an early hour on
the day of departure, and found to be in thoroughly 
good order".  He surmises the camp's condition was 
due to the immense crowd of visitors.  These visitors
should, however, have been kept out of the Show Ground,
in which the Camp was.

 

(4) I inspected the 35th Battalion Guard on board the 
Transport at Capetown and found the rifles of the 
Guard to be considerably rusted and the men slovenly
in their dress.

 

(5) The piquet supplied by the 35th Battalion at
Capetown was unsatisfactory and the orders given to the 
0.C. Piquet were so vague as to leave a doubt as to
whether the men were on piquet or on leave.

 

(6) In view of these facts and from personal
observation of Lieut. Col. Holborrow in his work, I am
of the opinion he has not that control over his
men which a Commanding Officer should have, and I have
therefore to recommend that he be replaced. 

 

Signature Brig. Gen.

Commanding Ninth Infantry Brigade.

A.I.F.

Notes from Conference with General Monash on the 21st

July 1916. 

 

    1. A portion of one Section of each Field Ambulance

to pitch tents and act as evacuating centre for each Infantry

Brigade. Irrigation sets given out by Medical authorities

Query private wash houses. 

    2. Maguire acting A.D.M.S. pending arrival of White. 

    3. 9th Brigade New South Wales; 10th, 3 Battalions

Victoria one Tasmania; 11th Queensland and South and West

Australis. 

   4. Get Instructors away to courses and carry on

instruction of others concurrently. Refer to this in Training 

Circular No. 1. 

   5. Speak Grimmade re 50 officers and 700 men. 

   6. Brigade Headquarters must no live with Battalions

Machine Gun Companies must lice near Brigades. 

   7. D.A.D.O.S. to prepare statement of fighting 

deficiencies. 

   8. Bi-weekly conference. Mention it in Training 

Circular No. 1. 

   9. Training Battalion Intelligence Officers by lectures 

and observation. Also scout and observe especially in map

reading. 

   10. Take up question of higher training of Officers at 

Divisional School in subjects such as Reconnaissance, Order

and Message writing, Marches and billets, Major and minor 

offensive. Also start early as possible Divisional Bayonet

School Bomb School and with Stokes Gun wing, and Gas School. 

    G.O.C. will address all officers off duty on suitable day

and at a suitable time and place soon after joining on Tuesday

next. This will not take place until he has seen Brigade

Commanders of Infantry and Artillery Brigades, C.D.A., C.D.E., 

G.S.O. 1, and AQ at a smaller conference. 

   11. G.O.C. comes down on Tuesday 25th inst for good

and will live with AQ. Will require car to meet him and

horse transport for kit. He will wire the time of arrival at

SALISBURY Station on Tuesday afternoon. G.S.O.1 to produce

horses and groom. 

   12. AQ to obtain copies of old A.I.F. Orders re

establishment of various units such as T.M. Batteries etc at

very earliest opportunity. Get copies of all future A.I.F. 

Orders sent to Division by A.I.F. HEADQUARTERS London or

direct from 1st ANZAC. If possible get enough for units, if

not duplicate portions affecting them. AQ to see this. 

   13. Has indent gone in in normal way for the 5 chargers

we have drawn?

   14. What action has been taken to borrow Lews Guns and 

Vickers Guns to train on? 

    15. G.S.O.1 to see C.R.E. re erection of bayonet

courses. One per Battallion. Also re Field Companies going

away pontooning. 

    16. G.S.O1 to see Instructor of Gymnasia

ALDERSHOT if possible. 

   Note - Bombing at LYNDHURST, Stokes at PERHAM DOWNS. 

    17. Weekly training plans for SALISBURY due on

Saturdays stating nature of work, unit or formation, 

time and place, duration. 

   18. Units pick out Scouts and Battalion Police. 

   19. Transport Officers not necessary for 

Brigades. Senior Battalion Transport Officer can act when 

required. Staff Captain bosses up generally. 

   20. Get all leave over as quickly as possible.

   21. G.S.O'S 1. and 2. inspect digging ground

and arrange training areas. 

   2. S.C. letter of instructions in office routine

Put in force. 

   23. S.C. trench photographs to pass round Brigades. 

   24. G.S.0.i. prepare Divisional Standing Orders

Check trench Standing Orders get more copies printed and 

issued. S.C. to produce what copies we have for issues

forthwith. 

   25. G.S.O.1, draft Affiliation of units. 

   26. AQ re Derry's ^APM's servant and other Imperial

soldiers if attached. AQ re what Lloyd said concering this

and attachment of Imperial Officers. 

   27. Where are training centres of Australians?

Query (a) LARKHILL (b) TIDMOUTH (c) PARKHOUSE. 

   28. General Monash's address :-

                 c/o Dr Rosenham, "Warrawee" Coombe Lane

                               Kingston Hill Surrey. 

         Telegrams "Kingston 1302" which is phone

number. They are phoned on. 

   29. AQ re W.O. Shaw as Senior AQ clerk in case

Henningham does not turn up. Query his stepping down to

S.Q.M.S. 

   30. AQ re W.O. Walker as Camp Cdt in case Coleman 

does not arrive. 

   31. Possible minimum communication trenches to be 

verifies by various pamphlets, suggested 2 per platoon

between firing line and support line; 2 per Company between

Support and reserve lines; oner per Company between Reserve

and Subsidiary line. 

   32. AQ re Officers lent by Dominions to Imperial Army

and Imperial Officers in Colonial Army. Type written statement

attached. 

   33. Car for mafic lantern man. Baker Clothing shop

on right hand side going down to Station about 5.30 p.m. Wednesday.