Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 15, 10 June - 31 July 1917, Part 13

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Headquarters.

17th. July, 1917.

Personal

Brig.-General A.E. DELAVOYE, C.M.G., D.S.O.

2nd. A. & N. Z. Army Corps.

I return herewith the communication of 15/7/'17 addressed

by Major C.B. STORY to the Corps Commander. -

After full inquiry, I find that,concurrently with having

addressed the Corps Commander direct, he has, also, forwarded

for transmission to me, a complete copy of his letter, and this

copy has since reached me through his Brigadier.

Although his action was quite irregular, I am of opinion,

under all the circumstances, that he acted quite bona fide in

the belief that he was carrying out the usual service procedure,

and I do not, therefore, as Divisional Commander, propose to

take exception to his action, and will take no further steps

beyond pointing out to him that an appeal of this nature should

have been forwarded through his Brigadier, and not direct.

As regards the merits of Major STORY's complaint, as 

same is directed against a decision of my own, I would prefer

not to deal with it, but to leave it for the Corps Commander,

himself, to consider.

(1).

(2).  17/7/1917.

In view of this, and in order to short circuit the

matter, I am attaching to Major STORY's complaint a statement

for the guidance of the Corps Commander.

Yours faithfully,

NEW BATTALION

ORGANIZATION.

18/7/17

Average Strength of

Platoons when Battalions

are of various strengths.

Platoon.	Battalion	Surplus
	Strength.	to replace
		Casualties.
44.	971.	61.
44	910.	--
43	894.
42	878.
41	862.
40	846.
39	830.
38	814.
37	798.
36	782.
35	766.
34	750.
33	734.
32	718.
31	702.
30	686.
29	670.
28	654.
27	638.
26	622.
25	606.
24	590.
23	574.
22	558.
21	542.
20	526.
19	510.
18	494.
17.	478.

Copy 12/8/1917.

No.5

U.S.M.S. "NEW YORK".

Thursday, 19th. July, 1917.

At Sea.

Lieut.-Colonel J.H. Peck,

General Staff, 3rd. Australian Divn.,

British Army.

My dear Colonel Peck,

Colonel ELY, Major SIMONDS and myself are all

greatly indebted to you for your valuable contributions supplementary

to our observations along your front. We found them awaiting us

on our return from the French Front, but our hurried days of work 

and travel have given me no opportunity to acknowledge your kindness

hitherto. Giving full credit to the serious side of our work and

conversation with you on the Anzac Front, I think none of us will

forget your description of an infantry soldier fully equipped as

"A Christmas tree gone wrong". That which stands out most

prominent probably of our day with you is the recollection of our 

conversation with your Chief, Major-General MONASH, his ability to 

say much in a few words and our very complete notes relative

thereto. Please give him our kindest regards and accept the same

for yourself.

Your Corps Commander, General GODLEY, we were 

fortunate enough to meet at BOULOGNE on our return to ENGLAND, but

for him we might have sat on that dock many hours longer that we did.

⁽1)

Copy 12/8/'17.

(2).

19/7/'17.

We found that our credentials were not sufficient to take us across

the Channel on a British transport. His kind offices put us

through.

Sincerely yours,

(Sgd. ) MARK L. HERSEY

COLONEL. U.S. ARMY.

19/7/17

Advising that the following team has been selected from

the 3RD AUSTRALIAN PIONEER BATTALION, A.I.F., to play the Officers 

from DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS, at Cricket, SUNDAY, 19th

AUGUST. 1917, 2 p.m., and will occupy the positions indicated

below:-

Captain A.G.STEPHENSON (Captain).	Bowler - change over to slip.
Lieut. J.H.LINDON	Slip - change over to Bowler.
Captain J.A.E.TOONE	Long on - change over to cover slip.
Lieut. L.F.ANDREWS	Long field - change over to long leg.
Major W.A.ADAMS	Long off - change over to square leg.
Lieut. A.R.E.RUSSELL.	Mid-wicket - change over to point.
Lieut. V.G.BARNDEN	Point - change over to mid-wicket.
Captain E.H.DIKE	Square leg - change over to long off.
Chap.-Capt.G.P.GUTTRISS.	Cover slip - change over to long on.
2nd/Lt. R.J.V.FOOTE.	Long leg - change over to long field.
Lieut. J.H.JAMES	Wicket-keeper.
UMPIRE:- Captain P. FENNELLY

Capt.A.G.STEPHENSON, CAPTAIN.

21/7/17

9th Brigade.

Conference with Gen. Jobson

A. Discussion of last nights' operation : -

(a)

(b)

(c) What progress of digging - B to A; C to D √

(d) Stickiness, parties to construct C^o H. Q in front line on

rt. Battalion, - held up. √

B. Preparations for 11th Bde offensive

√ (a) 9^th Bde to carry out Wellington Switch between Front &

Support line.

√ (b) Facilitate a 10th Bde party in carrying out cleaning up 

of Support Line, between Gapaard Avenue and Wellington Switch.

√ (c) Supply a working party of 200 men to make an Assembly

Trench, for 11^th Bde. — under C.R.E.

√ (d) Prepare proper Mortar beds (under Varley) for a L.T.M.

attack on posts 7 to 10 — C.R.E. to coordinate.

√ (e) Heavy bombardment — on 22^nd - five parties & times.

C. Practice Barrages & daylight attack. -

G.1 Report to Corps in our L.G. getting 20

*CAMP COMMANDANT *

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION

No 22.7.17

List of Invitations Accepted

for

3rd Australian Division Horse show.

Major Gen Sir A.H. Russell K.C.M.G. C.B.

Major Gen. R.W.R.R. Barnes C.B. D.S.O

Brig Gen J.C. Wray C.M.G

Brig Gen C Rosenthal C.B

Staff Officers New Zealand Division

Staff Officers 4^th Australian Division

Gen White by letter.

(Signature)