General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 23, 1 June - 23 September 1919- Part 9

19.8.19

Rosenhain

B 17 SUFFOLK ROAD

Bournemouth West

Leaving by twelve thirty train from

Waterloo

Monash

RD

20/8/19

Lieut. Boa's

book

It is with very great pleasure that I respond to the invitation

to write a few words by way of introduction to this book.

It is a record which will enshrine, for the respectful and affectionate

regard _∧admiration of the coming generation, the memory of faithful

and loyal service to country and cause, and of self-sacrifice

in endurance, suffering and _∧even death. - The compiler of this

volume, Txf Lieut. Harold Boas _∧of the Australian YM.C.A. deserves the gratitude of his country no

less than the gallant comrades of whose _∧service he has gathered

the story.   For, more than most men has he devoted himself

with all his power and all his soul to the moral and physical

well being of the fighting men. - His work is typical

of that Social Service which has done so much, throughout

the War, and which has been such an invaluable factor

in the creation and upholding of the morale of the troops. -

No-one yields to me in my admiration for the work of all

the organizations which laboured for the soldier's welfare;

and away _∧above them all towers magnificently the work of the

Y.M.C.A. - That splendid Institution achieved its

ends not merely by the excellence of its administration

and its wise choice of able helpers, but also by the

breadth of its outlook upon the task which it had set

itself to do. - For it made no distinctions, recognized

no limits, and swept aside all barriers. - Its benificence

was showered alike upon Gentile and Jew, on the

worthy and the weaker brothers. - As a commander of

fighting troops I am glad once again to bear testimony

to the practical help which this body, and its workers

- among whom the author of this book was one of the

most indefatigable - uniformly rendered in caring

for their welfare, and in upholding their spirit to

endure until the victorious end.

John Monash

Lieutenant General

CONFERENCE - 26th August. / 19

PRESENT

The Minister for Defence

Sir P. Bates

Brig.-General Foott

Brig.-General Wisdom

Mr. Foley

Secretary to Controller.

Mr. PEARCE asked for ships to replace those

now dropping out of the September programme.

Mr. FOLEY pointed out that every effort had been

made to meet our requirements, but in view of the

demands of the War office and the attitude of Mr.

CHURCHILL, it was impossible to find another ship.

In the alternative, Mr. PEARCE asked that special

preference be given our ships as regards Berthing,

Docking, Discharge, and Loading, so as to ensure

as many as possible getting away in September.

The Acting Controller instructed Mr. FOLEY to do

this and Mr. FOLEY agreed.

(2)

Inter alia Mr. FOLEY stated that the percentages

of Dominion Troops embarked to total troops in Europe

at time of Armistice are as follows :-

CANADA               83% to 84%

AUSTRALIA          85% to 86%

NEW ZEALAND  93.8%

General WISDOM stated that these figures did not

square with the position as he knew it, namely that

on the 12th instant CANADA had only about 14000 to

repatriate, while we had 26000, and NEW ZEALAND 3500.

That the principle put up in March last was that

Dominion should be treated in such proportions that

in theory the last man of each Dominion should leave

on the same day

D

Sep/19

Lieut Douglas & Ross A.F.C.

Please allow me to send you my warmest

wishes for your success in your flight to Australia

John Monash

D.H.

Defence

Sep / 19

Upon embarking about one thousand soldiers and

dependents, chiefly comprising chiefly second class

passengers, xxx upon steamer Waimana at Tilbury

_∧on 29th inst. it was discovered that owing to faulty prior inspection

ship was overcrowded and otherwise seriously defective

aaa   After full enquiry I have decided that the ship is unfit

for sea in present condition and accordingly instructed

whole personnel to be disembarked  aaa  Sxx

Immediate 
Steps will be are being taken to recondition ship and to 

embark passengers on earliest possible other ships.

Monash

(Telegram

D.*)

Sep / 19

McGlinn

Thanks for letter Monday preferable

to us gratefully accept invitation dinner.

Monash

(whole page scored through) 
3 copies

Sep / 19

Minister for Defence.

I attach _∧special appreciation from Major - General Sir C. Rosenthal x This

officer applies for two mon  (a) two months leave on pay.  

(b) permission to visit Italy & the East at his

own expense.

(c) leave to embark for Australia in Egypt x

The circumstances are exceptional x General Rosenthal's war services

 have you know been 'exceptional character',, my opinion, deserving

every . most generous consideration x

He is, in any case, entitled , one months' leave, usual , grant

' all officers > A.I.F. Depots Staffs 'termination' service x  He also points

(out) ^c I relinquished, last year, one month ' o 1914 furlough, expectation

^c Division required, march into Germany x

General Rosenthal wishes ' employ the greater part > leave for preparing

 resume (profession ) Architect x Had he been 'junior rank

appreciation] one or two months N.M.E.  such purpose with pay

and subsistence would  granted ' him  course x In. present

case I does apply subsistence,  only (pay x If 
he were of junior rank a A refusal of N.M.E.

under . circumstance could hardly be defended x

 think assurance given by him  last para  letter 

 bona fide '

coming officer rank can be accepted x

His request re embarkation xx Egypt at involve no expense

 Commonwealth presents no difficulty x

On all. above grounds, I recommend 6 applications — 

favourable consideration x

Lt Gen.

 

5 copies

1-9-19

Dear Senator Pearce.

Permit me to draw your attention to the attached cutting

from the 'Times' of Aug. 25th. —

It is not true that the Australian troops who captured the

German field gun in August 1918 were under the command of

General Birdwood. —

I feel that I owe it to myself that you, as a representative

of the Commonwealth Government, should be made 
acquainted with the

facts. —

The total captures of guns made by the Australians in France

are 383. — Of these, 6 guns were captured in one of the Passchendale

battles of 1917 by _∧Australian troops commanded by General Birdwood, -

and 4 guns were captured at Messines, also in 1917, by Australian

troops commanded by General Godley.

The whole of the remainder, amounting to 373 guns, of all

calibres from 77 mm. up to the giant 15 inch, were captured

in 1918, in battles under my exclusive direction and command. —

I therefore feel it an injustice that others should be accorded receive

the credit which is really due to me; and I trust that the

Government will not allow the public of Australia to be

misinformed on this matter, as the English public is being

misled by press statements such as that annexed. -

yours faithfully                                   

18.9.19

TELEPHONE: CITY 1746.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE,

(IN CHARGE OF DEMOBILISATION)

AUSTRALIA HOUSE,

STRAND, LONDON, W.C.2.

16th September, 1919.

Dear General,

Your letter of 15/9/19 received. Before

I left Australia I approved of a commencement being made

of a compilation of the War Records of all those who

had served in the A.I.F., such record to shew ranks attained,

and all honours and awards granted, and the details in

connection therewith.

This is not quite the same as what you

suggest as it is more extensive, but on our return to

Australia, I shall be glad to go into this with you to

see whether the work is being carried on in the way that

you think most fitting.

Will you please make a point of reminding

me of this when we have both returned to Australia.

Yours sincerely,

G.F. Pearce

 

Lieut-General Sir J,Monash,

G.C.M.G., K.C.B., V.D.,

Director-General, Repatriation & Demobilisation,

54, Victoria Street,

LONDON. S.W.1.