General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 18, 25 May - 3 June 1918, Part 8

[*3DRL/23/B*]

9/6/18

AUSTRALIAN CORPS, H.A.
Brigades.  11
Batteries.  51
Ration Strength.
Officers, 581
O. R.   13,920
            14,501
Horses. 1,890
Guns.
6" Hows: 130
8"     "        36
9.2"  "        22

12"    "          2

12" Guns.    1
6"     "        16
60-pdrs.  48 
                255
L Fasey B.G.R.A.
2/6/1918.

[*Copy
for
G.O.C.*]
Purchases (by Aubrey). . 3/6/18.
1 One pair Lace-up Leg Boots I like the style
that Aubrey is himself wearing, the foot portion
to be not too large and clumsy, - but strong, with
good soles. -
My boot trees will enable size & fit to be
determined. I like the boots long in the leg, -
say 1' - 6" from the ground to the top of the legging. -
As to color of the brown leather, I like a
medium color, not very light & not very dark.
2 Two pairs of long cord laces for above boots.
3 One pair of Mounted Officers riding boots, -
required for best wear on smart parades &
most ceremonial occasions. - Length and color
as above. – I prefer a laced up opening
in the foot portion. - Fit as per boot trees. -
I like leather strap to go over the top of
the calf.

                                                                            2.
4. Enquire for, but do not purchase, a
similar pair of boots to N^o 3, in black
leather, - as I may possibly like to get a
pair later, as alternative wear.
5. Pair of spurs Nickel or silver - Not too long. -
Leather to match the boots.
6. Underpants - thin summer wear, as light
as obtainable, but best quality. - No
objection to silk in the fabric - Waist
measurement 34". Three pairs required.
7. Summer Singlets - thin, light, short sleeves. -
best quality.- I rather like a light
cellular fabric, (see sample) 3 required.
8. Shirts, stiff collars & ties - all to match
in color, - for shade see sample. -
6 collars - size 17" - say 1½" high -
3 ties to match.

8.(Cont^d) 3 Shirts, with 16½" collar band, &
cuffs capable of being starched - Like
Aubrey's shirt in build, - but of
darker Kharkie -
9. Pyjamas - light, summer; - mercerized
silk - two suits required.
10. Collars - white linen- civilian - 17"
or 17 1”/2 x2", good quality. 6 required.
11. Gloves One pair buff colored - or
cream gloves, for civilian wear -
Size 8 ¼.

Headquarters, 5th Army,
3rd June, 1918.
My dear Monash,
I have been spending the last two days going
round our different people at Rouen - General Hospitals,
3rd Echelon, etc. While delving through papers there, I
came across the enclosed, which I am sure you will wish
to see - I only wish it had come to my notice while I
was still commanding the corps. In the last para. you
will see that Private Miller has apparently been knocking
about our Field Punishment Compound since the 7th of
March. It is one of the things I dislike thinking of
more than anything, and have often been rather
apprehensive that men were in the compound for unnecessary
periods. Perhaps you may care to call for a return
shewing all the men in the compound, and why they are
there. Naturally, the only men we want to see there are
those undergoing sentences, or awaiting commitment or
trial, and delays of this sort seem entirely wrong.
Please/

- 2 -
Please do not trouble to answer this, as the
matter is entirely within your jurisdiction now.
Yours very sincerely,
W.R. Birdwood. 
P.S. Many thanks for so kindly sending me a copy of
the letter which you propose sending to Mr Hughes. I
think this should do excellently, and will, at all events,
I imagine prevent his taking any hasty action. I hope
he will decide to discuss the whole matter with me - you
and others, after his arrival. I understand he is
likely to be in England about the 10th.
I hope you may be able to come over here and
see us; I suggested to Carruthers that probably you
would lunch on Wednesday.

Blouses for Melbourne
Aunt Vic has written as follows:-
"I should like you to get for me, at
a good blouse shop in Paris a White
Georgette Blouse. They will know what
you mean. - With long sleeves. -
Should like to get three of above, viz -
(a) Aunt Vic - OS. i.e. Out size.
(b) Bert - "Women's" size.
(c) Miss Monash - do  do
If not very expensive - get two of each, i.e.
6 in all.
(Signed) J.M.
3/6/18