Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 16, 1 August - 3 September 1917, Part 18

HEADQUARTERS

NINTH INFANTRY BRIGADE
23 JUL 1917
B.M.No  M/4
A.I.F.
 
NINTH  AUSTRALIAN  INFANTRY  BRIGADE.

Brigade Headquarters,
23rd  July,  1917.

Major-General J. MONASH, C.B.,  V.D.,
G.O.C.,
3rd Australian Division.
 

I return herewith the correspondence re Major
RODD.

I have read his letter carefully and have
reviewed the position thoroughly after referring to my diary
narrative of the facts of the case.   I see no reason to change
the opinion expressed by me to this Officer at the time that he
was unfitted temperamentally to command a Company in the trenches.

On the night in question he placed a Sergeant
under close arrest on the ground of being a traitor, but could
give me no good reason for his action.   On the S.O.S. being sent
up from his post front line, he immediately repeated it without
confirming it, and moreover did not give any definite information
to his Commanding Officer for some time afterwards.   I sent for
him after his Commanding Officer had reported against him, and
I gave him every possible chance to explain his actions.   After
hearing all he had to say, and reviewing the facts I decided that
he was temperamentally unfit for trench work and told him so.

I am not prepared to accept him back into the
Brigade for the above reasons, and would recommend that he be
informed accordingly so that he may obtain employment elsewhere.
 

Alex Jobson
Brig-General.
Commanding  9th  Aust.  Inf.  Brigade.

EMR.
 

ew.

CR.AIF. OR / 273  ( A )

13th  July,  1917.

G.O.C.,
3rd Australian Division,
B.E.F.,
F r a n c e.

Re  Major  B.  B.  RODD.

Attached correspondence forwarded for
your consideration, please.

J S Knox  Lt. Col.
A.A.G.
for Major-General.
Commanding A.I.F. Depots in U.K.
 

E 112 c

Headquarters,
No.3 "E" Group,
Durrington.

The enclosed letter was not forwarded
owing to my being posted in Orders for overseas, but after
having seen G.O.C.Division, it is now forwarded in accordance
with his suggestion.

Brett B Rodd
Major,

No.13 Durrington Camp,
6-7-17.

[*Noted.  Forward*]
[[M.L.?]] 
 

E 112 c

No.13 Durrington Camp ,
12/ 6 /17.

CONFIDENTIAL.

Headquarters,
No.3 "E" Group,

Durrington.

On the 20th. of this month I shall have been seconded from
my Battalion for three months, and, as I have heard nothing since
coming here of what is likely to become of me, I am anxious to
learn if I may, what my position is.
I left my Battalion fully understanding that I would event-

ually be posted to a new Unit,, but since this does not appear
likely to eventuate, I request that my case be enquired into ;
for at present it will  would appear that I am to be at a disadvantage.
The facts are these and they can be proven by evidence which is
easily obtainable, also I have copies of all messages, etc.
( 1 )   On the 28th. February when my Company front was being
heavily bombarded, there was delay in a full written report reaching
Divisional Headquarters and this delay was caused by the failure of
a Subaltern in not coming to Company Headquarters to give the
necessary information when ordered to do so. This Subaltern had made
a serious error of judgment in firing S.O.S. and it was admitted
by himself.  He had also admitted that he felt unsuited for a Platoon
Commander and this had been reported by me. Also my Commanding
Officer had stated (when I had previously complained of the Subaltern
in question) that he had been appointed to a Commission notwithstanding
that both his Coy. Commander and Commanding Officer had refused to
recommend him.   Just after he did arrive at Company Headquarters,
and whilst the message was being written, my dug-out was blown in
by shell-fire, and this caused further delay.  All information 

possible had been at once given by me by telephone to Battalion
Headquarters.
( 2 ).   On the same evening, just after the Artillery had
telephoned stating a most peculiar messagex had been received from
my front line, my Commanding Officer telephoned me pointing out
the serious responsibility I had taken in asking for "retaliation"
and I replied that a Sergeant had deliberately disobeyed for a second
time my orders, having telephoned from the front line to Artillery
direct for "retaliation".   I replied that necessary action was being
taken to right matters and the sergeant in question was put under
arrest for safety's sake, as I knew him to be unreliable owing to
his excitable nature.   It was afterwards shewn by reliable evidence
that he was not accountable for his actions.
( 3 ).   The above matters were enquired into next morning,
but not knowing that my reputation was to be at stake, I did not
call any witnesses to give my side of the case. Also it was apparent
to me that my Commanding Officer was too ill to conduct the enquiry.
The next morning my C.O. stated that he had been asked to put in
an adverse report on me, and in this connection I would claim that
I had never before been reported for any shortcoming, but rather
I had been complimented generally  on occasions by my C.O., and especially it had
been mentioned when the Battalion on our left had been raided at
Houplines sector.   Also my Company excelled in several respects, and
this notwithstanding that my C.O. had on several occasions pointed
out that, in his opinion, I had been unfortunate in having the
weakest officers in the Battalion allotted to my Company.
I would explain that I have not previously asked for my
case to be enquired into owing to the fact that it appeared
inadvisable in the interests of the Service and also my C.O. had
pointed out that I should in all probability be much better off
than before.   He mentioned that he would recommend me for the
Commanding Officers School and that I should probably be appointed
to a new fighting unit, the name of which could not then be
mentioned.
I know my Commanding Officer will bear me out in saying
that he had no Officer more loyal than I, and it is hard for me to se
see how he could have reported unfavourably except for the reason
that he had perhaps wrong information before him.
My health is perfect and my C.O. remarked particularly that there 
was nothing 
 

E 112 c
( 2 )

wanting in my personal bravery.   Since arriving here I have had
particularly strenuous work, the Battalion being over 2000 strong
at times, with only a few Officers comparatively speaking to carry
out the administrative duties, and with no second in command.
Notwithstanding being at a disadvantage I have been
informed on many an occasion that the Battalion excells both the in
administration and training.   As I was informed that a good report
would assist me in getting overseas, I trust the present satisfactory
reports will be considered.
I feel certain that I could give a satisfactory explanat

-ion on the any point in doubt, and if I could have the priviledge of
seeing my Divisional Commander I hope, it will be possible for me to
serve with the Division for which I have loyally worked since its 
formation.
I would mention that I tried to meet Lieut-Colonel
Goddard when he was over here on leave, but owing to delay in his
letter reaching me, I was unable to see him with a view of talking the
matter over before doing anything further. However, I have no doubt
he will remember all facts and be able to give any further
information required.

Brett B Rodd
Major.