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 came
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:
AUSTARM, KNIGHTS. LONDON,
TELEPHONE: 
SLOANE 4575   
Pers/FORBES
AUSTRALLIAN ARMY STAFF
23, SLOANE GARDENS
LONDON, S.W.I.
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 a 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.
J W Senton Maj
per Major- General
Australian Army Representative
[*In  view of lack of suitable evidence of against
Pte Silversides.
case to be dismissed*]
[*?? 14/?/46*.]

 

[*Pus*]
[*21.*]
STATEMENT BY NX138171 LIEUT. A. J. de B. FORBES, MC, AMF. 
At approximately 22.30 hrs. on June 30th, 1946, I was 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 offance 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 I 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
[*AQ*]
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".
G Costone Captain R.A.
Adjutant,
School of AA Artillery.
[*Manorbier,
South Wales.
9th July 1946*}
 

[[?]] TELEGRAMS:
AUSTARM, KNIGHTS, LONDON.
TELEPHONE:
SLOANE 4575.
EXT. 14
In reply please quote [[?]]
AMF/1/I6
AUSTRALIAN ARMY STAFF,
23, SLOANE GARDENS
LONDON, S.W.1.
27 Jun 46
Australian Victory March Contingent.
SX688 WOII JONES, E. D.
NX178476 Spr. GERSTLE, H. H.
Movement to AUSTRALIA
1. The above personnel, who are returning to AUSTRALIA
in HMAS 'SHROPSHIRE" as directed by Army Headquarters, MELBOURNE,
have been instructed to report to the Australian Victory March
Contingent, "D" Lines, Kensington Gardens Camp, LONDON, at O745
hours 1 Jul 46, ready to move.
2. Personnel have no heavy baggage.
3. They will be detached marched out from Australian Army Staff
strength to Australian Victory March Contingent with effect
from 1 Jul 46, and it would be appreciated if you would show
them on your attached strength as from that date.
J W Senton Maj
for Major-General
Australian Army Representative
JWF/MGS
 

TELEGRAMS:
AUSTARM, KNIGHTS, LONDON.
TELEPHONE:
Tele[[?]] [[?]] Ext.
SLOANE 4575
In reply please quote 7259
Copy to PERS/FORBES
AUSTRALIAN ARMY STAFF,
[[?]]
[[?]]
London, [[?]]
23, SLOANE GARDENS, S.W.1.
22 Jun 45
TRAINING IN UK - LT. A. J. de B. FORBES
Further to Army Headquarters Signal
ML 1245 dated 05IU40K June, copy attached,
this Staff would appreciate action now being
taken for this officer to be attached to
Australian Army Staff (UK) from 30 Jun 46.
J W Senton Maj
for Lt-Col

CS
Aust Army Staff
Australian Victory Contingent,
D Lines,
Kensington Gardens, W.2.
CAEF/LH
 

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES
LONDON VICTORY MARCH CONTINGENT 1946
Kensington Gardens,
9 June 46.
Australian Army Staff,
23 Sloans Gardens,
LONDON, SW 1.
APPLICATION FOR DISCHARGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM -
VX9534 LT J. D. PECK - AUSTRALIAN VICTORY
CONTINGENT
1. The attached application is forwarded for necessary action
and approval please.
2. It is recommended that this officer be discharged in the
United Kingdom.
M J Norton Brig
for Major-General.
Commanding London Victory March Contingent.
 

PERS/PROK
TELEGRAMS:
AUSTARM, KNIGHTS, LONDON.
TELEPHONE:
SLOANE 4575
EXT 14
In reply please quote 7233
AUSTRALIAN ARMY STAFF,
23, SLOANE GARDENS, 

LONDON, S.W.1.
21 Jun 46
Australian Victory March Contingent.
Application for discharge in the UK
VX9534 Lieut. J. D. PECK. Australian
Victory March Contingent.
1. Reference is made to your memo dated 9 Jun 46,
forwarding application by the abovenamed Officer for discharge
in the UK.
2. Approval has been given by Army Headquarters,
MELBOURNE, for the release of the officer in UK and it is
requested that you transfer him to Australian Army Staff as
early as possible, forwarding Casualty Return in the normal
manner.
D. P. Sharp Lt. Col.
Major-General
Australian Army Representative
JWF/LSGS
[* 1. Cas return.
2. Personal documents.*]
 

TELEGRAMS:
AUSTARM, KNIGHTS, LONDON.
TELEPHONE:
SLOANE 4575
EXT 14
In reply please quote [[?]]
AUSTRALIAN ARMY STAFF,
23, SLOANE GARDENS, 

LONDON, S.W.1.
28 Jun 46
Australian Victory March Contingent.
Matron A. M. SAGE, RRC
1. A signal has been received from Army Headquarters,
MELBOURE, advising that approval is given for Matron A. N.
SAGE to remain in ENGLAND for approximately one month after the
departure of the Victory Contingent. During this attachment
Matron SAGE will investigate and discuss Military and Civil
Nursing problems.
2. Would you please arrange for her to be detached
to Australian Army Staff with effect from 30 Jun and furnish
the casualty to this Headquarters.
3. The authority for this attachment is Army
Headquarters signal ML 1383 dated 27 Jun 46.
J W Senton Maj
for Major-General
Australian Army Representative
JWF/MGS
 

COPY.
/JMC.
E 7452.
INWARD CLEAR MESSAGE.
RROM: HQ AMF MELBOURNE
TO AAS LONDON AMBER BERLIN
3989/ML 1313 191225K June.
UNCLASSIFIED.
FIRST. Brig White Aust Mil Mission Berlin requires following personnel
complete establishment.
A One other rank suitable fill appointment QMS.
B One competent stenographer.
SECOND Appreciate co-operation Maj-Gen Eather in obtaining suitable
volunteers from members Victory Contingent. Arrange in collaboration
Brig White transfer members selected to Aust Mil Mission Berlin and
return to Australia with Contingent any personnel NOT required further
service Mil Mission
To A (for action)