General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 8 May - 25 May 1918, Part 8

G.O.C.    18/5/18

The Corps Commander would

like to speak to you on the 'phone

on your return.

(H.W.G?)

10.15 AM

18/5/18

11.30 a.m. -

Corps Commander says "Had a

cable. Australia agrees to

everything xxx i.e. all the

appointments; but as regards*]

himself, it must go before the Cabinet :- There is however no

hurry. Matters are in abeyance just at present; & it is likely to

be the end of the month before much happens. - We shall do 

nothing for a day or two." -

19/5/18
4^th Div. 

Infantry dispositions. ✓

Rôle of Rescue Brigade. ✓

M.G. dispositions. 50 guns in.

Arty. dispositions ✓

Engineers ✓   (C.R.E. = Dyer)

Pioneers. ✓

Liaison with French ✓     [ Benerd de Division
                                              Garnier du Plessin.

Liaison with 5^th Div. ✓       37th Div. in T.I.

                                                  Liaison Officer

Enemy Order of Battle [ Jăger.        H.Q. Amblin.-

Enemy attitude.  |alert but 
                                        quiescent       & Capt. [[?]] for G.H.O.

Heavy artillery ✓  | 6th Hows, 60 prs,    

Time for taking over | 22^nd - at 10 a.m. -

Dumps of Food |

                  Water |

                   S.A.A. |

[[Send?]] Capt. Jackson.

visit [[?Madagan?]] 2.30 to 2.45. on 21st

B.G.Carruthers. on 20^th to lunch

Mission Militaire Française 

attachée à

l'Armée Britannique

3rd Australian Division H.Q.

Officier Interprete de

Jail, 3^e D^au Australialienne,

à Major General Sir John Monash

KCB. V.D Commandant la 3^e D^au

Australienne- 

April 1918

May 19/18

Cher Général Monash
Je me fais un heureuse devoir de

vous transmettre la lettre èlogieuse
et reconnaissante que M^r Haurdequin,
propriétaire de la filature de

Ribemont, m'a prié de vous faire
parvenir. Je vous l'adresse en
français car je sais que vous la

comprendrez facilement. Cette 
lettre constitue un précieux 

Translation
French Military Mission attached to 
the British Army 3rd Australian Division Headquarters 
Interpreting Officer of the Jail, 3rd Australian Division 
to Major General Sir John Monash KCB.V.D. Commanding the 3rd Australian Division - 
April 1918 May 19/18 
Dear General Monash, 
I am pleased to convey to you the 
complimentary and grateful letter that Mr. Haurdequin, 
owner of the Ribemont spinning mill, asked me to send you
 I am addressing it to you in French because I know you
will understand it easily. This letter constitutes a valuable

témoignage de reconnaissance
en faveur de la vaillante Division 
que vous commandez, et que j’ai
vue à l’œuvre depuis plus de 18
mois: à Messines, à Paschendaele
et dans la Somme. Les Australiens
pourrant dire avec fierté: qu'ils
savent aussi bien organiser et
sauver qu'ils savent se battre!
Je suis heureux de profiter de
cette occasion pour vous remercier
du précieux et assidû concours
que vos officiers et vos  soldats
m'ont prêté dans les circumstances
difficiles que nos populations

Translation
A token of gratitude 
in favor of the valiant Division 
that you command, and which I have 
seen in action for over 18 
months: at Messines, at Paschendaele 
and on the Somme. The Australians 
can proudly say that they know 
how to organize and rescue as well as 
they know how to fight! 
I am happy to take this opportunity to t
hank you for the valuable and 
diligent support that your officers and soldiers 
have given me in the 
difficult circumstances that our people

viennent de traverser.
Veuillez croire, cher Général Monash,

à mon respecteux (sentiments?)
L^te. de Jail
officier interprête
M.C.
19/5. 1918
Translation
have just crossed. 
Please accept, dear General Monash, 
my respectful (sentiments?) Lieutenant 
of Jail Interpreting Officer

Monsieur le Major Général Monash.
Commandant la 3^ieme Division Australienne
France
Avant de quitter la Somme et la region devastée de
Ribèmont où je possède ma filature de laines, je me fais
un devoir de vous remercier de concours aussi devoir
qu'assidu, (prite)par votre Division au Sauvetage et à

l'évacuation de mes laines. Grace à ce concours j'ai
recupier toutes mes marchandises répercutant
environ Deux Millions de Francs et éviter aussi me désastre
irréparable pour moi, comme pour le pays.
Je vous adresse comme chef de la 3^ieme Division

mes plus  au vous priant
de les transmettre à vos vaillants officiers & soldats
aussi membres de la  Francaise:
Monsieur l. Officier Interprête De Gail, les interprêtes
Petit, Giraud, (Sulodared?), qui efforts
a ceux de vos vaillantes troupes que vous commandez;
 mériteuse une recompense qui eux? zero j'espère,
accordés
Recevez, mon Général, l'assurance de ma
haute considèration
Ch^es Hourdequien
Réfugié a Lardy 

Seine-et-Oise

N.B.:- je suis très reconnaissant au particulier au colonel
au 3^ieme Bataillon

Translation
Major General Monash. 
Commander of the 3rd Australian Division 
France Before leaving the Somme and the devastated region of 
Ribèmont where I own my woolen mill, I feel it 
is my duty to thank you for the dutiful and diligent assistance g
given by your Division in the rescue and 
evacuation of my wool. Thanks to this assistance, I 
recovered all my goods, costing 
approximately two million francs, and also avoided 
an irreparable disaster for me and for the country. 
I address to you, as head of the 3rd Division, 
my thanks, asking you to convey them to your 
valiant officers and soldiers also members of the French: 
Mr. 1. Interpreter Officer De Gail, the interpreters 
Petit, Giraud, (Sulodared?), who have made their efforts 
to those of your valiant troops whom you command; 
deserving of a reward that they deserve? Zero, I hope, 
granted 
Please accept, General, the assurance 
of my highest consideration
Ches Hourdequien 
Refugee in Lardy 
Seine-et-Oise 
N.B.: I am very grateful, in particular, to the colonel 
of the 3rd Battalion

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY.        20/5/18

To

Major-General Sir John MONASH, K.C.B., V.D.,

G.O.C., 3rd AUSTRALIAN DIVISION.

My Dear General,

I want to let you know how my Artillery is situated,

and what they are doing.

My Staff and I are located at EPAGNE; 7th F.A.

Brigade at COCQUEREL; 8th F.A. Brigade at EPAGNE, and D.A.C.

at EAUCOURT. They all arrived in this area on Thursday last.

I had a conference of Commanding Officers on Friday, and

told them that they would have 3 days clear in which to let the

men have as much rest as possible, and the Battery Commanders to

get hold of their Commands, and clean and straighten everything up.

Intensive training is being started to-day. I have

found a few uncultivated areas for the Batteries to work on, and

I have not the slightest doubt in a week's time they will show

full benefit of what they are doing.

The weather is delightful, and the men are thoroughly

appreciating their change. Most of their spare time is spent

in bathing in the River SOMME. I, myself, have been guilty of

enjoying a few dips also.

Major-General BUDWORTH came down and saw me, and the

Brigade Commanders, on Saturday, and ^had a good talk with us all. He

informed me that, unless anything unforseen happens, Batteries

will get a clear 14 days here; this, I hope, will eventuate, as

the Batteries thoroughly deserve it.

Lieut-Colonel KING reported for duty late yesterday,

and is busy taking over his Brigade to-day, and JAMES will go off

to LONDON tomorrow. The former was detained at HAVRE for six

days, which is a procedure I absolutely fail to understand.

We propose holding a Race Meeting on Sunday afternoon

next, schedule of which I enclose you herewith. It would be a 

P.T.O.

- 2 -

gratification to all of us if you could come down and be with us

on that afternoon; you would perhaps give us the pleasure of your

company at lunch at about 12.30 p.m.

I hope all is well with you, and that you are benefiting

by the rest you are getting.

With kind regards,

I remain,

Yours sincerely,

H.W. Grimwade

Brig-General.

Headquarters,

20-5-18.

P.S. Would it be possible for us to have the Pioneer Band for

Sunday next? A Motor Lorry could run them each way, and

their services would be much appreciated.

HWG

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY.

RACE MEETING - PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME.

Meeting will probably take place on Sunday, 26th May, 1918.

Place Meeting to be held - Second E of EPAGNE.

Abberville 1/100000

EVENT	DESCRIPTION.	Remarks.
(2 p.m.)	3 Furlong Scurry for Officers - (Officer up). Horses to be bona-fide Officers' chargers and to be entered in the name of the Officer owning horse.	Sweep-stake of 50 Frcs a head. 70% to Winner. 30% to 2nd. Entries:- D.A.H.Q.     1. 7th Bde.    3. 8th Bde.    3. D.A.C.         2
2.  2.30 p.m.	3 Furlong Scurry for Warrant Officers and Sgts. Horses to be bona-fide property of the entrant and to be ridden by Warrant Officer or Sgt.	Sweepstake of 25 Frcs a head. Entries as in Event 1. 70% to Winner. 30% to 2nd.
3.  3 p.m.	2 Furlong Scurry for N.C.Os. (under the rank of Sgt) and Gunners. No Officers' horses or horses entered for event 2 to compete.	Sweep-stake and  entries as for Event 2.
4.  3.30 p.m.	2 Furlong Scurry for Drivers - Drivers up & horses to be bona-fide team horses.	Sweepstake and  entries as for Event 2.
5.  4 p.m.	3 Furlong Scurry. For Officers, R.A., & 4th Army R.A. Rest Area. Entries limited to 8.	Sweepstake of 50 Frcs. 70% to winner. 30% to 2nd.
6.  5 p.m.	About 7 Furlongs over Hurdles. Open to Officers of 3rd Aust. D. Art only. - Officers up -	Prize - CUP to be  presented by Brig- Genl GRIMWADE, C.M.G. Entries -  7th Bde.              2. 8th Bde.              2. D.A.C.                   1. D.A.H.Q.               1.
7.  5.30 p.m.	3 Furlong Scurry. OPEN - Any rider.	Sweepstake of 50 Frcs. Entries - 7th Bde.         3. 8th Bde.         3. D.A.C.              2 D.A.H.Q.          1. 70% to winner. 30% to 2nd.

P.T.O.