General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 17, 1 November 1917 - 13 January 1918, Part 9

A.H.

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

Divisional Headquarters,

26th. November, 1917.

NOTES OF A TELEPHONIC CONVERSATION BETWEEN B.G.G.S., FIRST ANZAC,
AND G.S.O.I. THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION ON THE MORNING OF 25 26/11/1917.

B.G.G.S. rang up and complained that the Division had

shown two different Corps defensive systems. It was explained

that the line terminating near MAISON 1875 was continued at READING
TRENCH and it was not intended to run the Corps line through 
PLOEGSTEERT WOOD. B.G.G.S. approved but said it was essential

to have sufficient living accommodation in the front systems; that is

to say, the systems forward of the Corps system to accommodate the

garrisons of those systems. It was explained to the B.G.G.S that

this could be done but that the reserve battalions of the forward

brigades were held to be destined to retake or maintain our hold on

this forward system and that our front line or line of posts was our

line of resistance. Further, that the battalions in reserve could

not live in the forward systems because if they did they would not

be in a fit state to relieve the other battalions when their turn came.

The B.G.G.S. quite understood this and approved.

It was also pointed out to the B.G.G.S. that xxxx neucleus

garrisons for the Corps line would be furnished from the reserve

brigade. This he approved.

He raised the question of the Corps Line running as far

forward as LYS FARM and thought it should come back nearer to

ARMENTIERES. It was pointed out to him that the reasons for keeping

it forward were :–

(a) In order to conform to the Flank Division system

south of the LYS.

(b) In order to use GRAND RABEQUE and LA  FLENCQUE
FARM positions as starting strong points and so
organise defence in depth.

B.G.G.S. approved.

GOC
26/11/17
GHJ

[*26/11/17*]

11^th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE

FIRST ANNIVERSARY

OF OUR ARRIVAL IN FRANCE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26: 1917.

MENU

Hors d' OEuvre

Soupe Jardinière

Homard à l' Américaine

Poulet Froid    Veau Froid

Salade de saison

Pudding

Fromage

Amandes & Muscatelle

Noix & Dattes

Thé & Café

[* H. Cannan

G.H.J

[[Chas P Butler?]]

R.W. [[Marsh?]]

[[PMW Merick?]]

[[Mrs./MW Carstairs?]]*]

TOAST LIST

1.  "The King" Brigadier-General J. H.CANNAN, C.B.

2.  "The Day we celebrate," 
Brigadier-General J. H. CANNAN, C.B.

3.  "Absent Friends," 
Lieut-Colonel C. P. BUTLER, D.S.O.

4. "Third Australian Division," 
Lieut-Colonel A. R. WOOLCOCK, D.S.O.

5. Response, Major-General J. MONASH, C.B., V.D.

6.  "The Regular Army,"
Lieut-Colonel A.R. HERON, D.S.O.

7.  Response, Lieut-Colonel G. H. JACKSON, C.M.G., D.S.O.

BAND PROGRAMME
1. Quick March    "PRO PATRIA."
2. Waltz,                "DESTINY."

3. Selection,         "BOUND TO WIN."

4. Two-Step,         "KILTIE'S COURTSHIP."

5. March,               "SONS OF THE BRAVE."

 

[*G. Avasey

[[?Chas P Butler?]]

John Monash

Alex R Heron

J. H. Cannan

G. H. Jackson

[[R. W. Hanl…or Hanh…?]]

[[J R Mc..Alver?]]

[[R.W. Ham?]]

[[JH M..airit..y/s?]]

[[RS Donaldson?]]*]

No. 93 (Orders 492-499).

ROUTINE ORDERS

By Major-General J. MONASH. C.B., V.D.

Commanding 1st ANZAC CORPS.

HEADQUARTERS

November 26th, 1917.

A.

492. Gallant Conduct.

No. 168935, Spr JAMES, G , No. 12 Port Construction Coy. R.E. whilst a patient in hospital,

voluntarily acted as donor for blood transfusion to another patient with the object of saving his life.

A record of this act will be made in the Conduct Sheet of the above-mentioned man in accordance

with King's Regulation 1919 (XIV.)

493. Leave-Particulars in A.B.64.

(a) Attention is directed to G.R.O. 1267, 2684, and A.I.F. Order No. 959. These orders will

be read on parade once a month, and the men warned that non-compliance with this order may

entail their being sent back to their units from the port of embarkation.

(b) When men are transferred from one unit to another the O.C. transferring will ensure that

the date of the last leave or that the man has yet had no leave is entered in his A.B. 64. In the

case of a man arriving at a unit with no entry in his A.B. 64 it will be presumed that he has just

returned from leave.

494. Bounds-Leave.

Owing to outbreak of measles, NEWARK-ON-TRENT is placed out of bounds until further

orders to troops proceeding on leave.
(Authority : Secon 1 Army A 314/115 of 17-11-17).

495. Private Telegrams.

Attention is called to G.R.O. 2255.

Private telegrams cannot be accepted at Signal Offices. They can be despatched from the French

Civil Post Office, BAILLEUL, but must bear the Censor stamp of the Town Major, BAILLEUL.

496. Corrigenda.

In 1st Anzac Corps Routine Order No. 452 of 31-10-17, under heading "Bar to Military Cross"

For	T. DEAM, M.C.,	12th Inf. Bde. H.Q att. 4th Div.	Sig. Coy. Aust. Engnrs.
Read	T. Deam. M.C.	12th Inf. Bde.  Sig. Section 4th Div.	Sig. Coy. Aust. Engnrs.

In 1st Anzac Corps Routine Order No. 453 of 31-10-17, under heading of "Military Medals"

For	4410	Pte.W. H. CROULL	5th A.M.G. Coy. A.I.F.
	29885	Fitter O. H. RHODES	51st Battery 13th Bde. A.F.A.
	1271	Dvr. A. K. ROBINSON	26th Coy. A.A.S.C.
Read	4410	Pte. W. H. COULL	5th A.M.G. Coy. A.I.F.
	29885	Fitter O. H. ROHDE	51st Battery 13th Bde. A.F.A.
	1271	Dvr. A. K. ROBINSON	27th Coy. A.A.S.C.

In 1st Anzac Corps Routine Order No. 454 of 31-10-17, under the heading of "Congratulatory"

For	4575	Pte. W. J. WALSH	1st Field Company A.E. att. 3rd Battalion A.I.F.
	6120	Pte. G. F. WIXTED	1st Field Company A.E. att. 3rd Battalion A.I.F.
	9771	Pte. W. N. ELKIN	3rd Field Company A.E. att. 1st Field Ambulance.
Read	4575	Pte. W. J. WALSH	3rd Battalion A.I.F. att. 1st Field Company A.E.
	6120	Pte. G. P. WIXTED	3rd Battalion A.I.F. att. 1st Field Company A.E.
	9771	Pte. W. N. ELKIN	1st Field Ambulance att. 3rd Field Company A.E.

2.

Q.

497. Returns.   Anti-Gas Equipment.

1st Anzac Corps Routine Order No. 420 of 9-10-17, is republished for information.

All Corps Troops and Army Troops in 1st Anzac Corps Area will render a return as per attached 

pro forma to reach Corps Headquarters by noon every Monday.

The return will be forwarded through the Officer on Corps Headquarters who administers the

unit, formation or detachment concerned, to Corps Chemical Adviser.

498. Disposal of Unserviceable Clothing.

As directed by A.R.O. 1185, dated 18th September, 1917, all unserviceable clothing (including

unserviceable from Divisional Baths, etc) will be returned to Ordnance Officers of Formation and

not to Salvage.

499. Instructions re Indenting for Small Box Respirators and Spare
Boxes (Containers).

1st Anzac Corps Routine Order 422 of 9-10-17, is republished for information.

When Boxes (Containers) are worn out (i.e., have been worn for drill or in shell gas for 40

hours) or rendered useless in any way, new containers only should be indented for (not complete 

Respirators). Old boxes (Containers) should be replaced under the supervision of an Officer or the

Gas N.C.O.

Complete S.B.Rs. should not be indented for unless the rubber tube or mask is damaged, as a

man should retain a mask he is used to as long as possible.

If complete S.B.Rs. are indented for the number of each size should be stated. The size of

the mask is printed on the front of the mask, usually in the circle made by the ring of the nose-clip.

Extensions for S.B.Rs. are not now issued.

A "Tool for detaching Containers" should be requisioned for when demanding a first

supply of Containers.

It should be stated clearly on the indent why the materials are required.

 

Notices.

MEMA OF EXAMINATION – GUNS AND HOWITZERS – Memoranda of examinations for the

Guns and Howitzers are available and applications for any required should be made to A,D.O.S.

18 PDR. Q.F.– 5371 2876 3541 3525 5360 3584 1127 2850 2091 2960 1188 2796 1799 4666.

4.5 in . HOWITZERS. – 1190 1243 1754.

STOLEN on the 11th instant from a Driver of the 117th Labour Coy. on Reninghelst–La Clytte

Road H.D. iron grey gelding, H7 over bar over LC off hind hoof, No. 3 near hind hoof, 3 white socks,

blaze, short dock, about 15 hands, 5 years.

On night of 16th instant from 4th Aust. Div. Headquarters, Douglas Motor Cycle 2 3/4 h.p.

W.D. No. 1881, Frame No.28314 belonging to 4th A.A.S.P.

On night of 16/17th instant from Headquarters 2nd Aust. Div., bay pony mare, white face,

white hind foot, aged, clipped except legs, branded DC near side rump, head stall. chain and rug.

Grey mare, height 14.2, rug and headstall.

STOLEN from 1st Aust Div. Salvage Coy., bay gelding D.H., 16 hands, 8 years, small star, O on

near wither, near sighted.

(Information to A.P.M. 1st Anzac Corps).

LOST from Hyde Park Corner on night of 11th:12th instant. L.D. black mare, R and broad arrow 

near rump, both hind legs half white, F 163 on near hind, A8 on off hind.

L.D. bay mare, broad arrow near rump, star, F 78 on near hind, A8 on off hind)

(Information to A.P.M. 3rd Aust. Div.)

From M.D.S. PONT D'ACHELLES on night of 13th/14th instant chestnut gelding, branded A66

near hind and A.A.M.C. off hind, bald face, near hind white, bump on off hind, 15.1 hands

(Information to A.P.M. 1st Anzac Corps)

A.I.F., P.S. – 367 – DLX – 11-17   

General Monash

[*[[J Detchildt?]]*]

[*[[R Weberol Couter?]]*]

[*Steeruwerit 27 November 1917*]

Potage Printanier

Hors D'oeuvres

Langue de Boeuf Sauce Piquante

Vol au Vent.

Poulet Marengo

[[Risoles?]] de Pommes de Terre

Petits Pois

Salade

Diplomate au Rhum

Dessert

TOAST : THE KING.

[*27/11/17*]

[*27/11/17*]

3

AUSTRALIAN   COMMONWEALTH

25.NOV.1916
MILITARY FORCES
27. NOV 1917.

S E C R E T         Copy No........

[*GOC*]

10th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE ORDER No. 80

[*HEADQUARTERS [[?]] AUSTRALIAN DIVISION 29 NOV. 1917. SGI/430*]

28 November 1917.

REFERENCE MAP :- Special WARNETON SHEET Ed. 26 b. 1/10,000

INTENTION
1. Two raids will be carried out on

German trenches on night 30th Nov./ 1st Dec.

The first will be carried out by the

39th Battalion Party.

The second by the 40th Battalion Party

ZERO HOUR will be notified later.

ARTILLERY
2. The ^Left Artillery Group, 3rd Australian

Divisional  Artillery assisted by portion of 5th
Australian Divisional Artillery will co-operate.

23rd Australian Machine Gun Coy.;

10th Aus. Light Trench Mortar Battery will also assist.

Special attention will be given to certain localities

known to contain H.Gs and Minenwerfer.

Counter battery work will be carried out

to fullest extent possible, commencing at ZERO.

OBJECTIVE
3. Enemy front line from U.11.d.90.35 to

U.11.d.97.85, penetrating to U.12.c.25.70
OBJECT OF

RAID  
4. The objects of the raid are to,
(i) Inflict casualties.

(ii) Obtain identifications

(iii) Destroy materiel.
COMPOSITION

OF PARTIES
5.  PARTY NO.1
 

O.C. RAID -	Captain N.C.BOOTH,	39th Battalion, who
	will have with him -	2 Signallers
		2 runners 8 stretcher bearers (supplied by 39th Battn)
PARAPET PARTY - O.C. -	Lieut. C.J.A. RAMSAY,	39th Bn
		4 Scouts. 2 Signallers 2 runners 2 stretcher bearers
	Mopping up Party	1 N.C.O. 2 Bayonet men 1 bomber 1 carrier.
	Right & Left Flanking Party	Each 1 Lewis Gun and 4 Other Ranks.
RIGHT PARTY  -	O.C.  Lieut. A.J.E. LEE,	39th Battn
	Storming Party	1 N.C.O. 2 Bayonet men 2 Bombers 1 Carrier 1 spare man
	Demolition Party	1 N.C.O. 2 Searchers 2 demolition men.

                               

[*JM

29/11/17*]