Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 16, 3 September - 9 October 1917, Part 7

23^RD M. G. CO.
Rec'd
Forw'd
No.
A.I.F.
18/9/17

To D.M.G.O.
3^rd Aus. Division.
The undermentioned
men marched into this Company
from Grantham on 16-8-17 with
a certificate from the Adjutant, A.M.G.T.D
to the effect that they had passed
through seven weeks Machine Gun
Training and were qualified Machine
Gunners: -
No 517 Pte Willsdon W.C.
"    4577   "  Pavy H.L.
"    6707   "  Ryan R.C.
"   4607   "  Taylor W.G.
"   4282   "  Dohse  R.R.
"   4572   "  Nuttall C.
"   4609   "  Taylor R.A.
"   3102   "  Levis F.J.
"   2809   "  Freeman W.
"   3193   "  Latimer F.L.
"   3100    "  Miller J.
"   3097   "  Martin S.L.
"   2845   "  Miles H.
"     524   "  Woodward S.
"   3140   "  Sutherland J.W.
"   5081   "  Trowbridge R.F.
"   2919   "  Dickson V.
"   4664  "   Roberts E.F.
"   3092   "  Mann V.
"   3071   "   Kasper T.E.
The following men marched
in ^ from Grantham on the 27-8-17 with a 

similar certificate :- 
No  615  Pte Holly A.A.
"     561    "     McClellan F.D.
"     604   "     Shreeve E.
"     564   "     Styles G.F.
"     376   "     Tracey W.M.
It has been found necessary to
form ^all these men into a Recruits
Class and recommence their 
training
C Wedd Lieut.
23^RD M.G.CO. A.I.F.
23rd M.G. Co. A.I.F
18-9-17. 

CONFIDENTIAL.
19/9/17
HEADQUARTERS 
3RD AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY
DA/5/87
Headquarters,
18th Septr., 1917.
To
Major-General J. Monash, C.B. V.D.
G.O.C., 3rd Australian Division.
----------------------
Dear General,
I received your letter of 14th instant on my return on
Saturday last.
I have already acted in reference to Honours Despatch.
What is worrying me at present is a shortage of L.D.
Horses - in some way the Division "Q" Branch never seem to make
their Surplus and Deficiency return tally with our requirements,
and the result is we seem to continually be in a state of shortage.
To-day we are short of 56 L.D. horses for the whole of the Division.
As every wagon is required for ammunition supply, this means 9 wagon
teams short, which is serious. As well as this shortage, there
are 30 L.D. which are reported as unserviceable, and should be cast
and replaced. Our horses arrived here in quite good working
condition, but will soon go to pieces, and I dread the results of
the coming Winter.
Activity continues; Boche is exceedingly active in the
air, and was over us practically the whole of yesterday Sunday - at 11 a.m.
Sunday, a flight of 15, including two large Fokkers, bombed the
district - amongst other Units casualtied, they got 6 in No. 1
Section, 3rd D.A.C., 2 killed and 4 wounded. Up to to-day, our
casualty list is:-

Killed          Wounded       Total.
Off. O.R.      Off. O.R.           Off. O.R.
2       14            2     80                4    94
_____           ________           ________
and this in less than a week. I fear the next week may be worse.
We got 69 reinforcements in yesterday, so are fairly well up, being

only 80 (approx.) short.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
HW Grimwade

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
HEADQUARTERS
No M.G. 2
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Divisional Headquarters
19th September, 1917.
HEADQUARTERS
No G40/78
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Headquarters,
3rd Aust. Division.
The attached letter received from the Acting O.C., 23rd M.G.
Coy. is forwarded herewith.
I joined the 23rd M.G. Coy. in ENGLAND on 2nd September, 1917,
and sailed with them overseas on the 5th inst., therefore I had not
time to go into the training of the Company before sailing.
Since arrival in FRANCE I have inspected these men and have
had them put through tests of Elementary Training, and find that they
are in no way efficient Machine Gunners; therefore I gave orders for
all of these men to start on very elementary work.
I consider this a very serious matter as these men have been
certified fully trained, whereas I do not consider they will be fit
to go into action until they have gone through a thorough training.
[*GA to see
SHJ 
G.O.C.
GM*]

J.W. McCay
Major,
D.M.G.O, 3rd Aust. Division. 

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION,
Divisional Headquarters,
20/9/17.
173A
HEADQUARTERS
No G40/78
THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Major-General J.W. McCay, C.B. ,V.D.
A.I.F. Depots in United Kingdom.
My dear McCay,
I do not wish to make an official matter of it,
but I thought you would like to know that I received complaints
about the training of some of the personnel forming part of the
23rd Machine Gun Company, which has just joined this Division. The
attached copy of report specifically states that some 25 men who
joined the Company from GRANTHAM in the later half of August were
found to be practically untrained as Machine Gunners.
I am personally very chary about raising any
questions as to the efficiency of the training in ENCLAND because
I am afraid that the action of others who have in the past raised
such questions has resulted in procedures which operate to delay the
arrival of much needed reinforcements. - However, as the matter
has come under notice, I thought you would like to know that the
training methods at GRANTHAM do not appear to be altogether satisfactory.
Trusting you are well, and with kindest regards,
Yours sincerely,
JM
 

SPECIAL
DIVISIONAL ROUTINE ORDER
by
Major-General JOHN MONASH, C.B., V.D.
Commanding Third Australian Division.
Divisional Headquarters,
20th. September, 1917.
REVIEW OF THE DIVISION
by
Field-Marshal Sir DOUGLAS HAIG, K.T., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E.
Commander-in-Chief British Armies is France.
1409. FORMATION.
1. The Division (less Divisional Artillery, Divisional Train,
Mobile Veterinary Section and Transport) will parade on the
ground west of the DRIONVIILE - THIEMBRONNE Road, 1000 yards
south of DRIONVILLE, for Inspection by the Commander-in-Chief,
at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, 22nd. September, 1917.
2. (A) Troops will be formed up by 10 a.m. as under, facing the
Saluting Base and in the order shown on the Plan of Parade
Ground issued with this Order to all concerned.
(i) INFANTRY BRIGADES.
Battalions in line on a two platoon frontage, with
Machine Gun Companies and Light Trench Mortar Batteries
combined, in quarter column of sections on left flanks.
(ii) PIONEER BATTALION.
In line on a two platoon frontage.
(iii) ALL OTHER UNITS.
In quarter column of sections.
Intervals between Units within Brigades and between all
other Units will be 5 paces.
Intervals between and on flanks of Infantry Brigades will
be 10 paces.
Lewis Gun Sections will form Left Sections of Platoons.
(B) Officers will take post in front of the Front Rank of whole
Parade as follows: -
P.T.0.
A D. C.
 

2.
(i) Officers of Battalions and Divisional Units - 6 paces.
Senior Majors of Infantry and Pioneer Battalions on Right, and
Adjutants on Left of their respective Battalions.
(ii) Commanding Officers - 10 paces.
(iii) Brigade Commanders - 40 paces.
Brigade Staff - 10 paces in rear of Brigadier.
Brigade Majors on Right, Staff Captains on Left.
(iv) Divisional Commander - 70 paces.
(C) Bands of the Division (under command of Lieutenant T.B. DUNCAN,
3rd. Australian Pioneer Battalion) will be massed in rear of the
Centre of the Division.
3. Parade States giving names of Commanding Officers will be rendered
to Divisional Headquarters by 6 p.m. on 21st. September, 1917.
4. DRESS.
Drill Order.
5. MARKERS.
Staff Captains and 1 Officer and two markers per Unit will report
to the D.A.A.G. on the ground at 9 a.m.
6. ROUTES.  Assembly.
9th. Infantry Brigade Group.
33rd. Battalion, 9th. Machine Gun Co., 9th. Field Company Engineers,
via THIEMBRONNE, to be clear of THIEMBRONNE by 9 a.m.
34th. and 35th. Battalions via DRIONVILLE, tail to be clear of cross
roads DRIONVILLL by 9 a.m.
36th. Battalion, 9th. Light Trench Mortar Battery, via SENLECQUES -
DRIONVILLE to cross roads ECUIRE, tail to pass cross roads ECUIRE at
9 a.m.
10th. Infantry Brigade Group. (less 39th. Battalion)
Any roads west of cross roads N.W. of BOIS de THIEMBRONNE via
cross roads ECUIRE, head of column to reach those cross roads at
9 a.m.
11th. Infantry Brigade Group.
Any roads east of DRIONVILLE, head of column to be at cross roads
DRIONVILLE at 9 a.m.
23rd. Machine Gun Company. Divisional Salvage Company, via THIEMBRONNE,
to be clear of THlEMBRONNE by 9:15 a.m.
 

3.
7. PROCEDURE.
Bayonets will be fixed and Officers posted in Review Order by Brigade
or Divisional Unit Commanders.
On approach of the Commander-in-Chief:-
(i) One "G" will be sounded by the Bugler and a Lance visible to the
whole parade will be raised.
Brigade Commanders will give the caution -
"Brigade will come to attention and slope arms"
Battalion and other Commanders will give the words -
"BATTALION (etc), SLOPE"
and as the Iance is dropped the executive word -
"ARMS!"
On arrival of the Commander-in-Chief at Saluting Point:-
(ii) As the lance is raised for the second time the words "General
Salute, Present" re given, and as it is lowered
"ARMS!"
Officers salute with the second motion of the "Present" and
remain so as the massed bands play the salute.
(iii) As the lance is raised and lowered for the third time-
The command "Slope Arms" is given.
(iv) As the lance is raised and lowered for the fourth time -
The command "Order Arms" is given followed by "Stand
at Ease."
8. INSPECTION.
The Commander-in-Chief will then move to the right of the line
accompanied by the Divisional General and his Staff. Brigade
Commanders will meet him at the right of their Brigades and
accompany him during his inspection of the Brigade. Units
will be called to attention is succession as the Commander-in-Chief
approaches.
9. MARCH PAST.
On completion of the Inspection the Commander-in-Chief will take
up position at the Saluting Base and the Division will march past
in column of Platoons or Sections from the Right.
P.T.0.
 

4.
9. MARCH PAST. (continued)
Distances will be maintained as follows: -
60 paces between Arms and Brigades,
30 paces between Battalions,
16 paces between Companies and Platoons.
Brigadiers will fall out after passing the Saluting Base.
C.0s. of Units will fall out 100 yards past the Saluting Base and
form up in order of Units, to be presented to the Commander-in-Chief.
10. Officers will take post as follows: -
Officers of Battalions and Divisional Units 5 paces in front of
their respective commands.
Commanding Officers and Senior Majors 10 paces in front of leading
Unit of their command. (Commanding Officer nearest the Saluting
Base and Adjutants 10 paces in rear of rear Unit of Battalion.)
Brigadiers 20 paces in front of the mounted officer of the loading
Battalion, preceded at a distance of 10 paces by their Staffs, who
will be in line 10 paces apart, (Brigade Major next the Saluting
Base.)
11. BANDS.
When the Commander-in-Chief has reached the left of the line the
massed bands will march through the line to a position opposite
the saluting base, and will play all troops past.
The Bandmaster will face the saluting point.
12. SALUTE.
All Officers will salute with the right hand, commencing the salute
10 paces from and completing it 10 paces beyond the Commander-in-Chief.
Platoon Commanders will give the command "Eyes right" as they
themselves salute, and "Eyes front" as the salute is completed.
N.C.Os. when in command of Platoons will salute in usual manner by
bringing the right hand to the small of the butt.
13. ROUTES FROM PARADE GROUND.
On the conclusion of the March Past, Units will proceed by shortest
available routes to their respective areas. Care will be taken
in marching off that no halt is made or change of formation undertaken 
which will check the troops marching past.
The same routes will be used as for the assembly of troops.
14. Units of the 9th. Brigade Group, 23rd. Machine Gun Company and
Divisional Salvage Company, returning via THIEMBRONNE will proceed west
from the parade to the ECUIRE - THIEMBRONNE ROAD.
Rob. E. Jackson
Major.
(DD) A.A. & Q.M.G., Third Australian Division.
 

Diagram/Map - See original document
Scale 90 yds In 1 inch