AWM52 1/11/18/5 - Headquarters London Victory March Contingent, 1946, part 4, Summary of events and correspondence - Part 11

2
period which directly concerns
the incident in question. I 
rather think Silversides [[comes?]]
Into the mess looking for 
a drink some half an hour
before the incident, and  and was
disposed of by Maj Gluth or 
possibly the Mess Steward. I 
can not be sure of this as 
there were four or five of 
us in the mess at the time
& I was very much engaged 
in conversation with Maj
McLennan & Capt Johnstone,
and didn’t take the slightest
notice of, or interest in,
it.
I mention this sir, because 
I feel it may have motivated 
Gen Eathers request for a 
statement, and [[information?]]
supplied by one of the above 
officers. As this was the first

3
time I had ever entered
this particular mess & only 
entered it once afterwards,
I haven’t a clue as to who 
the steward was, or where 
he came from. I presumed
him to be more or less 
permanent, as the other officers, 
who had used the mess
prior to the occasion, seemed
to know him quite well. In
fact, I remember one of them, 
I think Capt Johnstone, call 
him by his christian name. 
I’m sorry I can’t be 
more helpful, sir. 
Yours Sincerely
G Forbes

 

TELEGRAMS:                                       Pers/FORBES
AUSTARM, KNIGHTS. LONDON,   AUSTRALLIAN ARMY STAFF
TELEPHONE:                                    23 SLOANE GARDENS
SLOANE 4575

In reply please quote
London Victory March Contingent,
c/o HMAS SHROPSHIRE.
Reference is made to your signal dated 2 Jul 46
requesting statements from Capt Weir, Lt: Forbes and Mess Steward
concerning an incident at Kensington Gardens Camp before the
contingent left London.
2. Attached hereto is statement by Lt Forbes and a
letter written by him to this HQ.
3. Capt Weir stated that he personally has no
knowledge of the incident as he was not present.
4. Investigations made by the Kensington Gardens
Camp authorities to trace any Mess Steward who witnessed the
attack have been unavailing. The Officers' Mess staff have been
questioned but state they know nothing of the circumstances.
[[?]]
per Major- General
Australian Army Representative
[*In [[?]] of lack of suitable evidence of [[?]] case to be dismissed*]
[*?? 14/?/46*]


 

2[[?]]

STATEMENT BY [[NO38171?]] LIEUT. A.J. de B. FORBES, MC, AMF 
At approximately 22.30 hrs. on June 30th, 1946, I vas sitting alone in
"A" lines, Officers' Mess, Kensington Gardens Camp, London.  A soldier, known to
me by sight as Pte SILVERSIDES entered the Mess, obviously in a drunken
condition, and asked for a drink. I told him there wasn't any, and to go to
bed. He then examined the cupboards where the drink is kept. Finding them
locked, he came over to where I was sitting and said, "GLUTH is the only
officer in this contingent worth anything" - or words to that effect. I
replied "Is that what you think? Go to bed" - or words to that effect. Pte.
SILVERSIDES took offence at this remark and attempted to make me rise and fight
him. This I refused to do. He then struck me on the left eye with his fist.
After making further futile attempts to make me rise, and making further
insulting remarks, none of which can remember, he left the mess. Prior to
this incident, I had had no dealings with Pte. SILVERSIDES, nor had I ever
spoken to him, or he to me.
I detailed this incident in full to my Company Commander, Major GLUTH,
and the Adjutant, Lieut. MENTIPLAY, next morning. I told them that as I was
staying in England, and Pte SILVERSIDES was leaving that day for AUSTRALIA,
and the consequent difficulties of evidence, it was not my intention to charge
the soldier. In this they concurred.

Signed A FORBES Lt
CERTIFICATE
Having been duly sworn, Lieut. A.J. do B. F0RBES, M.C., A.M.F. has read
over the above statement in my presence, and makes the following declaration:
"I, A.J. de B. FORBES, Lieutenant of the A.M.F. declare upon oath that
the foregoing statement is true in every respect, and that nothing relevant
has been ommitted".
[*?? South ?? 9th July 1946*}
[[?]] Captain R.A.
Adjutant,
School of AA Artillery.

 

---
--

As/A/I6

AUSTARN. KANONTS LOwoow
AUSTRALIAN ARMY STAFF,

Z. SLOANE CARDENS
soins es7
17
towosw
27 Jun 45
hoyd
Australian Victory March Contingent.
xx 6688 worr
Jos,D.
NX 178476 Spr. G
E, H.H.
----........--
Hornmen to LHeruzIk
The above personpel, who are returning to AUSTRALIA
in BMAS 'SEROPSHIRE" as directed by Irmy Headquarters, MELBOURNE,
have been instructed to røport to the Australian Victory March
Contingent, "D" Lines, Kensington Cordens Camp, LORDON, at O745
hours 1 Jul ké, ready to move.
Personnel have no heavy baggage.

They will be deneeted from Austrulinn Ann Staff
strength to Australian Victory Murch Contingent with effect
from 1 Jul 46,/ and it would be oppreciated if you would show
them on your/attached strength as from that date.
t ikintar Hin
(go DajorCeperal
Australían Army Representative
uhos

 

OvOEE
s
moynnn i-hbevrionson
:
AUSTRALLANARMY STAFF,


ONNE 455
dy plense quote

Lendon v
2. SLOANEGAROENS SW./.
22 Jun 45

HECIUf-IT.A.J.deB.TONRES
Further to Army Hcadquarters Signal
ML 1245 dated OSlAOK June, copy attached,
this Staff would appreciate action now being
taken for this officer to be attached to
Lustralian Army Staff (UK)
from 30 Jun 45.
Ar Serter N
Lt-Col
So
mut Amm Stuf
Australdnn Vieforg Cantingrr?,
D lines,
Kenmington ardens, P..2.
he

 

-
 

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES
LONDON WCTORY MARCW CONTNCENT IS
Kensington Gardens,
9 Juns 46.
A stralian Army Staff,
23 Sloans Gardens,
LOmDON, S" 1.

ge
uon-


The attached applicotion is forwarded for necessary action
and approval pleaee.
[t is recommended hat this officer be dischorged in the
tnited Kingdom.
ost
v Major-Caneral
Cormanding London Victory March Contingent.
 

PERS/PROK
Inen
AUSTARR. KANONTA L0400.
AUSTRALIAN ARMY STAFF,

o
23, SLOANE GAADENS
t
o swe

hady skaee quore
21 Jun 46
Anstralian Victory March Contingent.
Application for discharge in the UN
VX9534 Lieut. J.D. PECK. Australian
vietory Narch togringent.
Reference is made to your memo dated 9 Jun 46,
forwarding application by the abovenared Officer for discharge
in the UK.
Approval has been given by Army Headquarters,

E, for the relense of the officer in UK and it is
requested that you transfer him to Australinn Army Staff as
carly as possible, forwarding Casualty Return in the pormal
menner.
88 Stag tt tl
[Mnjor Geperal
Jarhgs
Australian Army/Kopresentative
Caa ah
1. Deremnal decnent
 

-me
AUSTARE EMCATA Lowoo.
AUSTRALLAN AAMY STAFF,

stones 4s7
SLOANE CAROENS
-1
tonpon Swt
28 Jun 46
r
rpy pkeerequote
Australinn Victory March Comtingent.
Natron AlM. 302
RRC
A signal has been roccived from Army Headquarters,
MELBOURE, advising that approval is given for Matron A.N.
SAGE to remein in ENGLAND for/approximately one month after the
departure of the Victory Contingent.
During this attachment
Matron SACE will investigate and discuss Military and Civil
Nursing problems.
Would you please arrange for her to be detached
to Australian Army Staff with effect from 30 Jun and furnich
the casualty to this Headquarters.
The authority for this attachment is Army
Headquarters signalML 1383 dated 27 Jun 46.
Areintar
hg
16- Major-Ceperal
Australiam Army Representative
pmehms
 

corr.
/ne.
E 7452.
nndab our.v ugse
IROM: HO AR MEIBOURNE
TO AAS LONDON AMBER BERLIN
3989/L 1313 191225X June.
UNCLASSIFI-D.
FIRST. Brig White Aust Mil Mission Berlin requires following personnel
complete ostablishment.
A One other rank suitable fill appointment Q5.
B One competent stenographer.
SECOTTD Apprecinte oo-operation Maj-Gen Eather in obtaining suitable
voluntoers from members Victory Contingent. Arrange in collaboration
Brig White trunsfer mambers selected to Aust Mil Mission Berlin and
return to Australia with Contingent any personnel NOT required further
servioe Mil Mission
To A (for action)