General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 8 May - 25 May 1918, Part 12
(2) 25/5/18.
been forced -
A considerable amount of furniture was found stored in
an upstairs room, and this room was immediately placed out of
bounds by General CANNAN. - Any looting or wilful damage that
may have been done in this Chateau, or in the adjoining pavilion,
was, I am assured both by General CANNAN and by General McNICOLL,
done prior to the arrival of Australian troops. -
Subsequently, a shell burst in the dining room of the
Chateau and completely destroyed everything in it. - Apart
from this damage the Chateau and the Pavilion were left by the
troops of this Division in the same condition as they were in
when we first entered. -
Although much private property was collected from other
residences in HEILLY by the Town Major and his taff, and handed
over to the French Mission and receipts taken, it so happens
that no property was collected from either the Chateau or the
Pavilion. -
M' DEMARGUET, who is referred to in Madame FURSY's letter
as her representative, is known to have visited HEILLY, although
he did not live there. - He was not seen in the Chateau. -
His wife visited the grounds on one occasion in company with two
Corps Officers. -
Neither the antiquary mentioned in the letter or any
(3) 25/5/18.
other civilian were ever seen in the Chateau or the Pavilion,
during their occupancy by the two Brigade Headquarters of this
Division. -
I am afraid that, beyond this, I am not able to throw
any further light upon the cause of the damages of which Madame
FURSY complains. -
I may add that my Claims Officer, who is usually most
sympathetic towards the French population, informs me that, now
that all immediate danger to the surrounding villages has passed,
there is a decided tendency on the part of the French population
to magnify their losses, and to initiate exhorbitant claims
against the troops for alleged damages and pilfering, many of
which have been shown to be entirely without foundation. -
It is difficult to know what other action was open to
me to take in the villages of HEILLY, BUIRE, BONNAY, RIBEMONT,
etc., than to have the most valuable personal property, - clocks
jewellry, etc., - methodically collected and handed over to the
French Mission. - This was most scrupulously done; and also all
Live Stock was collected and sent to back areas into Concentration Camps. -
Yours faithfully,
General Sir W. R. Birdwood, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., etc.
Commanding Australian Corps.
[*ASSISTANT PROVOST MARSHAL
3rd AUSTRALIAN DIVN.
Date 25.5.18
No. MP2115*]
To
Major General Sir John Monash, K.C.B., V.D.
3rd Aust. Div.
Reference
Damage done to Chateau at HEILLY
Sir,
I have investigated the complaints made
by M. Fursy as to damage done to his
furniture and belongings in the Chateau
at Heilly. The facts as disclosed by my
investigations are as follows :-
Captain Gard and M. Migus, interpreter,
11th Aust. Inf. Bde. Hqts. arrived in Heilly
at about 4am. on 27th March, at least
1 ½ hours in advance of any Australian troops.
They went to the Chateau at once which
was then occupied by the Staff of Brigadier
General Cumming. It was then in a very
neglected state. Judging by appearances
it had been vacated by civilians and
used as a Headquarters for a very considerable
time. Apparently very little care had been
taken of the Chateau and it was remarked
that every article of furniture which bore
a lock had been forced.
A considerable amount of furniture
was stored in an upstairs room and this
room was immediately placed "Out of Bounds"
by Capt. Gard.
Any looting or ^wilful damage that was done
in the Chateau or Pavillon was done prior
to the arrival of Australian troops.
Subsequently a shell burst in the dining
room and completely destroyed everything
in it.
Apart form this damage, the contents
of the Chateau were left by the troops of this
Division in the same condition as they
were in when we first entered. Nothing
was collected from it as salvage by the
Town Major or his staff.
M. De'marquet is known to have visited
Heilly although he did not stay there. He
was not seen in the Chateau.
Mlle. Demarquet only visited the
Chateau ground on one occasion as far as
is known. This was in company with two
Corps Officers who were looking for subterranean
passages.
Neither the antiquary mentioned in
M. Fursy's letter nor any other civilian were
ever in the Chateau
J.A.F. Loveless
Lt
for Assistant Provost Marshal,
3rd Australian Divn:
[*3DRL12316*]
PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN MAY 25TH, 1918
of
DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS STAFF, 3RD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
[*first row left to right*]
- Major S. KING, DSO. Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General.
- Major L.E. McKENZIE, DSO. Deputy Asst.Director of Veterinary Services
- Colonel F.A. MAGUIRE Asst.Director of Medical Services.
- Lt. -Colonel C.H. JESS, DSO Chief of Staff
-
Maj. -General Sir John MONASH Commander
KCB., VD.
- Lt. -Colonel R.E. JACKSON, DSO. Asst.Adjutant & Quartermaster General.
- Major H. BACHTOLD, DSO., MC. Commanding Engineer.
- Major E.W. CONNELLY, DSO. General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade
- Major C.A. PYKE, MC. Deputy Asst.Adjutant General.
[*second row*] - Lieut. E.M. BRISSENDEN Divisional Claims Officer.
- Captain W. JACK Deputy Asst.Director of Ordnance Services.
-
Major W. VICKERS Deputy Asst.Director of Medical Services.
↓ 15. 15 CAPTAIN A.M MOSS √ A.D.C. & Camp Commandant.14. 16 Captain S.H. JACKSON General Staff Officer, 3rd Grade.
↑13. 13 Captain P.W. SIMONSON √ A.D.C.
16. 14 Major R.G. HAMILTON, MC. Divisional Signals Officer.
17.Lieut. J.H. LOVELESS Assistant Provost Marshal.18. Lieut. Baron de GAIL, MC. Chief of the French Mission.
{19. Lieut. J. LONGSTAFF Divisional Artist.{20.Lieut. L.H. BIDDULPH, MC. Divisional Musketry Officer. /21. [*third row*]
- 2 -
21. Lieut. R.C. PHILLIPS Field Cashier.
22. Lieut. H.J. HARRISON, MC. Divisional Gas Officer
23. Captain D.G. MOLESWORTH Staff Trainee.24. 2/Lieut. A.H. LEWIS Divisional Courts-Martial Officer.
25. Lieut. S. IRWIN Divisional Canteens Officer.
26. 2/Lieut. C.H. FAWCETT Divisional Intelligence Officer.
27. Lieut. J.B. O'DONNELL Divisional Anti-Aircraft Officer.
Commander in Chief
Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig
First Army General Sir H. S. Horne
1 Corps Lt. Genr Sir C.A. Anderson
6th. Division Maj. Gen C. Ross
21st “ “ “ D.G.M. Campbell
24th “ “ “ J.E. Capper
X1 Corps. Lt. Gen Sir H.B. Haking
5th Division Maj. Gen. A.A. Stephens
37th “ “ “ H.B. Williams
56th. “ “. “. C.P.A. Hill
Canadian Corps Lt. Gen. Sir. J.H.G. Byng.
1st Canadian Div. Maj. Gen. A.H. Currie
2nd " " " " H.E. Burstall
3rd " " " " L.J. Lipshutt
4th " " " " D. Watson
Second Army General Sir. H.C.O. Plumer
IX Corps Lieut. Gen. Hamilton-Gordon
16th Division Maj. Gen. W.B. Hickie
25th " " " E.G.T. Bainbridge
36th " " " O.S.W. Nugent
X Corps Lieut. Gen. Sir T. L. N. Moreland
23rd Division Maj. General Sir. J.M. Babington
41st " " " S.T.B. Lawford
47th " " " Sir. G.F. Gorringe
11 Anzac Lieut. General Sir. A. J. Godley
34th Division Maj. Gen. C. L. Nicholson
N .Z. " " " Sir. A.H. Russel
※ 3rd Auste. Div. " " J. Monash
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