Diary Henry Arthur Goddard 1919 - Part 4
ACHEUX.
MARS
1 SAMEDI.
Weather seems to have taken up the morning turned out quite
fine. I walked to EP CHÈPY. to 33 Bn. Look in at their Guard Room
Saw Morshead and his officers at his Hqrs. Walked back with
Capt Paterson.
ACHEUX.
MARS
2 DIMANCHE.
Fair day. Working mostly at getting up data
for history. Feel a bit worried about not
hearing re Command in London. I know Cannan in
his mean souled way would have taken advantage
at being at the Div to score. In this game the
dodger and schemer always scores. What one does
or how one sacrifices oneself counts nothing.
Leo up in evening. Did not sleep well
ACHEUX.
MARS
3 LUNDI.
Cloudy morning. do not feel well
Rode over to MIANNAY to 34 Bn Col Woolcock
is laid up in bed with water on knee. There
has been some trouble with his men refusing
to move equipment. I went round the billets
and chatted to the men. It came on to rain
and Mackie and I got soaked, as it rained
steadily all the ride back.
Capt Goldrick was down in afternoon re Command
of 33. Told him that Capt Douglas must take
command as the Cadre must be left complete when
concentration took place.
Very bad night.
Staff Capt (Patterson) left on leave his sister being ill.
ACHEUX.
MARS
4 MARDI.
Wet miserable day.
Gen Cannan was up in morning. Discussed with
him personnel, concentration &c.
Do not feel very fit.
ACHEUX.
MARS
5 MERCREDI,
Fine sunny morning. Took with me
Capt Mackie and rode to 33 Bn cdrs Major
Grant Capts Douglas and Goldrick. discussed
departure arrangement first demob! quota. History &c.
from thence rode to the 9th Fd. Amb at VALINES
saw Col discussed with him demob. history &c.
Back to Hqrs 12.30 p.m.
ACHEUX.
MARS
6 JEUDI.
Wild wet, windy day
Lieut Timbrell reported to Hqrs re 35 Bn History
Went into same with him and supplied a lot
of missing data.
A Court of Enquiry was held during the day on all
missing officers and men.
6. p. m. D.A.D.O.S. called re handing in stores and
equipment of 35 Bn. He said that everything was
satisfactory and that the T.M. Battery stuff was in good
order when taken over.
ACHEUX.
MARS
7 VENDREDI.
Bad weather continues. It is wet, cold & storming.
Got word that Corpl Knight, my groom, had died of
Influenza in Edinburgh. After coming through all. it is hard.
Gen. Gellibrand called in morning ^11.30.a.m. Discussed
concentration; the trouble with the 3 Div Artillery.
lots on after amalgamation with 10 Bde which
takes place immediately after 1st Quota leaves I
take command of the two Bdes.
2.30.p.m. Lieut Bauld paraded re recommendation for his
promotion being turned down. asked to be paraded before Div Comd
to which I agreed and told him I would do my best for him
ACHEUX.
MARS
8 SAMEDI.
Another wretched wet morning.
Attended conference at 10 Bde Hqrs at MARTAINNEVILLE
re closing up, demobilization &c. back to Hqrs 5.p.m.
ACHEUX.
MARS
9 DIMANCHE.
Dull wet day.
10.a.m. interviewed suspended sentence men
11. " " " Major Grant ref. arrangements made
of our first embarkation quota.
In afternoon motored to 10 Bde Hqrs MARTINNEVILLE
saw Gen. Jess re amalgamation two Bds. from thence
we went to look round for more suitable Hqrs.
motored through BOUILLANCOURT where 38 & 39 Bns are
and to a very fine Chateau about a mile S.W of
there. Here we were well received - the people
being very courteous. Madame who speaks English
and an old gentleman probably her brother showing
us round. There are excellent rooms. Told them we
would take up our quarters there.
Back to Hqrs 6.30 p m via GAMACHES and FEUQUIERES.
ACHEUX.
MARS
10 LUNDI.
10.a.m Interviewed Major Wheeler Gave him instructions to
take command of the amalgamated 33 & 35 Bns. when this
move takes place.
After lunch addressed a meeting of officers of the old 36 Bn
called to arrange for reunion in Australia.
Wretched day.
There is in my mind indications of discontent at
the proposed move to Vismes. I will see the
33 and 35 Bns on parade tomorrow.
AY, MARCH 3, 1919.
AUSTRALIANS WAITING
FOR SHIPS.
SIR J. MONASH'S EXPLANATION
In a lecture on the "Principles of Demobilization"
at the A.I.F. War Chest Club,
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR JOHN MONASH said the
Repatriation and Demobilization Department, A.I.F.,
was doing its best for the men. There were 200,000
Australians in all waiting to be sent back, and one
of the chief points was how to maintain the moral
of the men, munition workers, &c., who were waiting
patiently for their turn to go home. Transportation
to Australia was an exceedingly complex matter, on
account of the way in which shipping facilities were
disorganized, and until this ponderous machine got
into working order again the difficulties of sending
men from France and England would be very great.
While the Shipping Controller appointed by the
British Cabinet was in full sympathy with them, and
while he was eager to do what he could to help
them, he could only give them those ships which were
actually available. It was impossible under present
circumstances for the Controller to say, "I can let
you have so many ships pro rata, or on basis of
population, &c." General Monash dealt briefly with
the commercial aspect of the position, and showed
how impossible it was for even the commerce of the
country in the absence of raw material for the carriage
of which they had to depend on ships to be carried on.
They had made a calculation that they could get out
of England in nine months, at the rate of 20,000 a
month from the time they started the repatriation
scheme, but he discovered that was too sanguine an
expectation. In December they had sent away
13,000, in January 13,000, while in February, he was
very sorry to tell them, they could only dispatch
5,000; so that they were 17,000 behind their estimate
on the nine months' basis. He was very much afraid
that unless conditions improved they would take
longer than nine months; anyhow he was doing his
best to remove the difficulties which had beset them
in the last three months. The Prime Minister had
worked zealously for them with that object, and he
with others had endeavoured to prove to the authorities
that the long distance which Australia troops
had to travel to reach their homes ought to have
due weight in entitling them to a greater proportion
per head of freight than countries nearer home. He
was hopeful that these arguments would prevail
and that in the near future they would have a bigger
allocation of ships.
Alluding to the industrial unrest, he pointed out
that certain strikes, which were admittedly unauthorized,
made the problem more difficult. He was glad
to tell them that the Shipping Controller had
promised space for 25,00 for March, but of course
that was subject to the state of the industrial market.
In conclusion, he thanked them for the generous way
in which they met himself and his responsible officers,
and for the patience with which they had borne their
enforced stay in England.
____________________
CANADIANS HOMEWARD
ACHEUX.
MARS
11 MARDI.
At 10.a.m. I addressed a parade of the 33 Bn at
Chépy with the Bde Major I then rode to FEUQUIERES
and addressed a parade of 35th Bn afterwards.
had a straight talk with the officer at the Bn
Mess. There is no doubt that the officer particularly
the junior officer are not putting ginger into their
work and the discontent of the men arises largely
from their selfishness. They are concerned about
their own comfort and have let the men see they
do not like the idea of going to inferior billets.
Back to HQRS about 1.p.m.
General Gellibrand called 2.30 p.m. I put
up to him the feeling of the men about leaving
their present location. He was sympathetic and
asked me to put it up to him in writing.
Interviewed Capt Coghill & Douglas re
this at Hqrs 6.p.m. & drafted a letter to Div.
ACHEUX - MARTAINNEVILLE
MARS
12 MERCREDI.
Everything went wrong this morning. First the typist
made a mess of the report to Division on the recommendation
re concentration Scheme. Then on getting
Douglas' report it was found to be different to what
he had been instructed to make it and finally it
missed the Div run.
We moved off from our quarters about 11.30
after saying good bye to the Madame at my billet
and the men arriving at MARTAINNEVILLE just
before lunch. The new Hqrs are at the chateau
of the Marquise a high rambling
old structure. The interior barnlike and comfortless.
My room is in keeping, a ragged carpet, a tawdry
bed with a high canopy filthy with dust - a
costly walnut & ormolu chest of drawers surmounted
by a cheap framed mirror - a washstand made from
a box surrounded by a tawdry canopy. &c.
I take over command of the 10th Bde in addition to
the 9th also the 3 M. Gun Bn at Gamaches & the D.A.C.
& A.A.C. there.
The 10th Bde Staff are Major Lamble (Bde Major)
Capt Crowther & T/Capt White (Staff Capt & Art S. Capt.)
Lieut Mitchell. Education officer. Lt Taylor Claims officer
Lieut Smith (Sigs.)
Capt Nowland reported back from England.
The first demobolization quota from Brigade (9)
proceeded to GAMACHES today.
MARTAINNEVILLE.
MARS
13 JEUDI.
In morning with Capt Mackay & Mr Forrest went
to 39th Bn Hqrs in the latters box car. Found things
apparently satisfactory there. From thence to
GAMACHES to see the 1st Quota 9 Bde Saw Grant and
Dixon found everything very satisfactory. When
within a couple of Kilos of Hqrs on way back a
tyre blew out & Mackay and self walked in arriving
1.30.p.m.
5.p.m. Col Bruggy called discussed situation
re position 33" & 35. & generally on concentration -
the day has been fine, but cold. It is alright when
one is out, but in the barn of a chateau it is
wretched.
MARTAINNEVILLE
MARS
14 VENDREDI.
Cold wet day.
General Gellibrand called 6.p.m. Had long
talk with him on affairs generally. He says
he hopes to have the Bde closed by end of
month.
MARTAINNEVILLE - ANSELME
MARS
15 SAMEDI.
Moved Headquarters to Chateau d'Anselme.
reaching there by car at noon. This Chateau is modern
newly and well furnished. We should be very
comfortable.
Had lunch in Capt. Nowland's billet with him
& G.S.M.
Dull day but rain keeps off.
Bad night.
Le Chateau D'Ansennes ANSELME
BOUl BOUILLANCOURT- EN-SERY.
MARS
16 DIMANCHE.
Cold misty morning with drizzle.
Walked round the grounds of the Chateau after
breakfast. They are very fine & will be wonderfully
beautiful when the spring comes.
The people at the Chateau are very nice -
the household at present consists of Madame
& Monsieur Cottini and a ^their small child - Madame
Rouget the sister of Mme Cottini and her little
daughter Madame Rouget is terribly disfigured
one's heart goes out in pity to her. She wears
a veil always., poor thing. There is also
Monsieur Cottini Senr. a cheery happy old
gentleman and two little girls of about 11 years
nieces I think of the Cottinis - the House is very
beautifully kept and furnished.
CHATEAU D'ANSENNES
MARS
17 LUNDI.
The first quota from Brigade entrained at Gamaches
Station this morning from England I saw them
as they marched down to the Station & then in the
trucks. They got away at 10.45. I was glad it was
fine when they started & that enabled them to get
aboard dry. It came on to rain later and is very cold
I rode to Blangy. Gamaches & came back in Div Commdr
car. He came on to the Chateau with me & had a
look at our quarters.
34 Bn moved to Gamaches - They stayed at Chepy last night.
CHATEAU D'ANSENNES.
MARS
18 MARDI.
In morning rode with Capt Paterson to Blangy.
Had long talk with Div Commdr & lunched at Hqrs
Mess. The move (they think) is likely to be hurried
up and we shall close down earlier than
expected. Back to Chateau about 3.
Col Bruggy called - He wants to clear up on
stores 22nd Told him it could not be done.
Agreed to 26.th
Col Major Giblin of 40 Bn in - Discussed move
with him.
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