General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 21, 3 October - 24 November 1918 - Part 5

NOTES for CORPS COMMANDER      19/10/18
STAFF APPOINTMENTS 
(a) WYNTER informs me that in future G.O.C. , A.I.F. will

complete all arrangements for appointment of Staff officers below 
the grade of G.S.O.1. and A.A.&Q.M.G.  Officers of these grades 

and above will still be appointed by G.H.Q. on recommendation of G.O.C.
A.I.F.  
(b) HARRISON has been recommended to G.H.Q  for G.S.O.1.
3rd Australian Division. 
GELLIBRAND is anxious to have either PLANT, who is
G.S.O.2. 4th Australian Division, or Norman, who is a Brigade Major,
at 4th Army in PRIESTMAN'S place while the latter is away at a 
Senior Staff Course in England. This will be for three months . 

I propose to recommend to you that PLANT should go to 
the Staff Course next after this, and if you agree to this he would 

be away from his Division for six months all told.  After discussion  
with the 4th Australian Division, I think the best arrangement 
which would commend itself to all concerned would be 
to transfer PLANT to the 3rd Australian Division as G.S.O.2. 
Until PLANT should come back to the 4th Australian Division, 
General GELLIBRAND would be able to carry on. For the first 
three months, which will be the most active period, NORMAN would 
be available to officiate. If PLANT were transferred in this way 
it would leave a vacancy to be filled in the 4th Australian Division . 
This could be done by appointing WATSON from 2nd Aust.Inf. Brigade.
WATSON  is a man of about 35 years of age, holds a law degree of the 
Sydney university and is very much a man of the world.  He is a 
most successful Brigade Major and has been a self-sacrificing 

Staff Officer. My main reason for wishing to get him into a 
definite staff appointment as G.S.O.2, is that I have a note of 
him  as a possible G.S.O.1. at a later stage .

I have handed over to TOWNSEND details of a series of 
appointments which follow on this , and I have discussed each of
them with the Divisions concerned .       
(c) I have discussed RIDLEY'S position with the 4th
Australian Division. They do not wish to retain him particularly
as a Battalion Commander. When I saw General MAXSE a week ago,
he was very keen to have an Australian officer attached  to the

Inspectorate of Training. RIDLEY is a permanent soldier, has
done training work and has a personal leaning towards it. I wrote
to General WHITE and suggested that  RIDLEY might be appointed to
the Training Inspectorate. WYNTER has informed me, however, that
since this, RIDLEY has applied to go to Australia on 1914 furlough.
I have not seen RIDLEY or had any communication with him and I do
not know whether this is to get out of the possible slightly difficult
position in which he finds himself if he knows he is not looked on
with favour by G.O.C. 4th Australian Division.
(d) TOWNSEND has papers for you with reference to the appointment
of a C.O. 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion. I have told 4th
Australian Division that Major TOBELL will probably not receive
the appointment and that it must abide by your decision on your
return. General HOBBS is anxious to put up Major McLEAN of the
5th Pioneers for the command, but it seemed to me that there were
other officers who had better claims than McLEAN and General HOBBS
was desirous that the decision should be left in your hands.
(e) I received a wire from General MONTGOMERY on Friday
asking for HUNN'S services for a short time to replace VIVIAN
who has gone sick. HUNN went up on Sunday and was to let me know
how long he expected this duty to last.
GLOVER has gone to G.H.Q. for two weeks to assist in the
compilation of a book on BELGIUM - he should be back about 10th Nov.

                                                                                     

-2-

2. TRAINING

(a) At the request of the Inspectorate of Training, a series

of Divisional Conferences have been arranged at which General

GUGGISBERG attends to deal with the question of training of companies and platoons, etc. A copy of the instructions sent to divisions on the matter is attached.

(b) General MAXSE is very anxious to meet the Divisional

Commanders and rang up to ask if you would agree to this. I told 

him I was quite sure you would have no objections and he asked if

you would care to attend; I said I did not know about this. He said

that if I thought you would agree to this,  he would write you a letter

which should come in a day or two.

The only other point about the training is that I think

Divisions might keep in mind 'Training in Wood Fighting' as the

country in front of a further advance of the 4th Army will be very

wooded. I have taken no action beyond discussing this with one or

two of the G.S.O.1s.

(c) The 1st Division is arranging a big divisional ceremonial

parade. General GLASGOW tells me he has written you with the idea

of getting a reviewing officer. The date proposed by General GLASGOW

is about 6th Novr, but it is dependent on the date which the reviewing

officer can best arrange.

3. VISITORS

(a) In connection with the parade of the 1st Australian

Division, I thought it might be as well if it could be arranged to

take place during the visit of the Prince of Wales to the Corps. So

far, no definite information has been received of the Prince's visit.

but he is in the country and is staying for a certain period of time

with each body of the Dominion troops. I asked General RAWLINSON

yesterday if he could give us the date of the visit to this Corps,

he said 'No', but when he did come he would probably stay with us for

about a month. Information that he is coming is known at present 

to the following.-

General CARRUTHERS,

Lt. Col. MILLIGAN,

Major HUNN,

Major BERRY

The two latter stumbled on the knowledge by accident though I have

informed both that it is not a matter to be discussed.

(b) A wire has been received from Mr. HUGHES to say that

Lord BLYTH and Brig-General ROME would visit us, and asking us to

entertain them. So far, nothing has been heard from them.

(c) You probably know all about Mrs HUGHES' visit since the

letter from DODDS that I saw, which stated that the matter had been

referred to you - in any case, MOSS has all the papers.

4. FURTHER EMPLOYMENT.

General RAWLINSON discussed the matter fully and asked

what I thought a fair thing. I said that I thought the men ought

not be employed until they had two months out. The 4th Division

was the first to come out and it was withdrawn from the line 21st/22nd September, 

and the 1st Division on the 23/24th. The 2nd Division, you will

remember, although the last in the line, had upwards of three weeks'

rest before this last effort, which only lasted three or four days.

Army H.Q. is now in a railway train at MONTIGNY Farm.

The quickest way to get to it is straight along the main AMIENS-

St. QUENTIN Road, turning off to the north about five miles west of

the SOMME.

-3-

5. 5th Army H.Q. moved to LILLE yesterday. Both General BIRDWOOD

and General WHITE have been down with influenza.

6. As regards your letter about STREETON. He has gone up to the

2nd Aust. Division. Artillery at PERONNE, which should suit him very well.

7. ARTILLERY

The artillery is all out of the line except the 3rd and

4th Divisions and 6th Army Brigade and their interests are being

well looked after by the Army. General COXEN has gone up there for

two or three days to visit the whole lot. He is staying with

General COURAGE at our old headquarters near BARLEUX.

Fourth Army No. G.S.2/23

Australian Corps.

Since the Australian Corps joined the Fourth Army on the

8th April, 1918, they have passed through a period of hard and

uniformly successful fighting of which all ranks have every

right to feel proud.

Now that it has been possible to give the Australian

Corps a well-earned period of rest I wish to express to them my

gratitude for all that they have done. I have watched with the

greatest interest and admiration the various stages through which

they have passed from the hard times of FLERS and POZIERES to

their culminating victories at MONT ST. QUENTIN and the great

Hindenburg System at BONY, BELLICOURT Tunnel and MONTBREHAIN.

During the summer of 1918 the safety of AMIENS has been

principally due to their determination, tenacity and valour.

The story of what they have accomplished as a fighting

Army Corps, of the diligence, gallantry and skill which they have

exhibited, and of the scientific methods which they have so thoroughly

learned and so successfully applied, has gained for all

Australians a place of honour amongst nations and amongst the

English speaking races in particular.

It has been my privilege to lead the Australian Corps

in the Fourth Army during the decisive battles since August 8th

which bid fair to bring the war to a successful conclusion at no

distant date.

No one realises more than I do the very prominent part

that they have played, for I have watched from day to day every

detail of their fighting, and learned to value beyond measure the

prowess and determination of all ranks.

In once more congratulating the Corps on a series of

successes unsurpassed in this great war I feel that no mere words

of mine can adequately express the renown that they have won for

themselves and the position they have established for the Australian 

nation not only in France but throughout the world.

I wish every officer, N.C.O. and man all possible good

fortune in the future and a speedy ad safe return to their

beloved Australia.

(Sgd.) H. Rawlinson,

General,

Commanding Fourth Army.

H.Q Fourth Army.

20th October, 1918.

JS

Cl. 4303/4/49

ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE

21 OCT. 18-3- PM

CENTRAL REGISTRY

BRANCH

4303 / 4 /49

21st October, 8.

Headquarters A.I.F.,

c/c H.Q., 5th Army

FRANCE.

With reference to your 3/27 of the 5th October,

I desire to inform you that I have consulted with Lieutenant-

General Sir J. Monash regarding the proposed presentation of

flags to the representatives of Units by Mrs. Hughes, and he

concurs in the following arrangements if they meet the 

convenience of Mrs. Hughes:-

8th November. Leave London accompanied by Miss
 Anderson. Arrive Boulogne. To be met on arrival

by General Monash's A.D.C. and to be conducted to 

hotel.  Remain the night in Boulogne.

9th November. Leave Boulogne after breakfast by

motor-car for Corps Headquarters arriving for

lunch. Remain at hotel.

10th November. Presentation of flags as arranged by

General Monash.

11th November. Remain the day at Corps Headquarters.

12th November. Leave Corps Headquarters.Arrive

Boulogne for lunch. Return to London that evening.

[*B.F.

CN- [[Monroe?]]

TO:- C2*]

I have written to Mrs Hughes informing her of the

above and on receipt of her reply I shall officially approach

the War Office asking for their approval.

Should G.H. communicate with you concerning the

issue of permits, will you please ask for their approval.

General Monash will arrange suitable hotel accommodation at

Corps Headquarters and if the arrangements are concurred in, I

shall ask you to arrange for the hotel accommodation at 

Boulogne. General Monash will send his motor-car and an

A.D.C to meet Mrs Hughes on arrival, and will take them to

Corps Headquarters.

I have been informed privately by the War Office that

when the official application is made, it is not likely that

any obstacle will be created.

T.H.D

Brigadier-General

Commandant

Copies A:-

G.O.C. Aust Corps per A.O.C.

Transport Section

AB            

JS.
C1.4303/4/49.
21st October,   8.
Dear Mrs Hughes,
With reference to the correspondence you have had
with General Griffiths concerning your visit to France to
present flags with regimental bades of them to our Infantry
Battalions, I desire to inform you that I have consulted
General Monash on the subject and he thinks that about the
first week of November might be suitable, if convenient for
you. It it meets with your convenience therefore, I propose
to make arrangements something on the following lines:
8th November. Leave London accompanied by Miss
Anderson. Arrive Boulogne. To be met on arrival
by General Monash's A.D.C. and to be conducted to
hotel. Remain the night in Boulogne.
 9th November. Leave Boulogne after breakfast by
motor-car for Corps Headquarters arriving for
lunch. Remain at hotel.
10th November. Presentation of flags as arranged by
General Monash.
11th November. Leave Corps Headquarters. Arrive
Boulogne for lunch. Return to London that evening.
Kindly inform me at your earliest convenience if the
arrangements will meet with your wishes, in order that I may
have arrangements completed as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
T.H.D.
Mrs. Hughes,
"Carfax",
29, Elsworthy Road,N.W.3.
 

GOC

[*Called on
Mrs Hughes
23/10/18*]
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
PRIME MINISTER
tcf 22/18
My dear General Monash
I have your
letters referring
to proposed use
[[J 182?]] & 4^th divisions
J A - J-7 in the
immediate future

and shall be glad
to talk over the
matter with you.
In the meantime
you will of course
do nothing xx
inconsistent with
the policy I
laid down &
which you approved.
i.e: that the
troops should have 
a long & unbroken
rest before they

3
called upon to
go into the line
I am your
WM Hughes
P.S. I can see
you to-morrow
Wednesday afternoon
at say 3.30 pm.
at [[?]] house
WMH