Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/256/1 - 1915 - 1936 - Part 3

129
June 27, 1925.

Dear Newman,
1. The newspapers show that about June 22, 1915 the
Australian Government received from the British a communication
saying that "every man is wanted". This was referred to by 

Senator Pearce on June 22nd at a big meeting in the Melbourne 

Town Hall, and was partly responsible for the big recruiting 

campaign which followed. 

I have no record of this cable from the British 

Government, but would be most obliged if you could have it 

turned up and a copy of it sent to me, together with any 

document relative to the matter of recruiting about that date. 

If they are lengthy, would it be possible for someone to make 

quite a short precis showing what they contain. 

2. On November 25, 1915 the Government offered Great

Britain an additional 50,000 men. This was of course based on 

the war census returns which had just come in. Can you obtain

for me the particulars of - (1) any advice which was given to the 

Government concerning the form of this offer (nine infantry 

brigades etc.); or (2) the numbers which on the war census 

figures it was safe to raise. 

I think the calculation must have been that Australia, 

on her then population, could raise the strength of her 

units to 100,000 or 110,000 and keep them supplied with reinforcements , and that this was probably the genesis of the offer, 

which seems to have been a reasonable one. Some papers, however, must surely exist on this point, either in the Defence

Department or in the Prime Minister's. I should be most glad

to have a copy of them, or alternatively, a precis.
Yours sincerely,
C. E. W. BEAN
W.A. Newman, Esq.,
Defence Department

Melbourne,  Victoria.

[*DEFENCE.

S.O 580 2 4049*]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE. 

MINUTE PAPER.

C.11429.   
SUBJECT:  INFORMATION FOR MR.BEAN - A.I.F. HISTORIAN.
[*Confidential*]
[[?]]  24/7/2. 
D Gurs 9/10/23
The Secretary,
Military Board.
Mr C.E.W. Bean, Official Historian, has written to me in the
following terms :-

"On November 25th 1915, the Commonwealth Government 

offered Great Britain an additional 50,000 men. This was 

of course based on the war census returns which had just 

come in. Can you obtain for me particulars of - (1) any 

advice which was given to the Government concerning the 

form of this offer (nine infantry brigades &c.) or (2) the 

numbers which on the war census figures it was safe to raise. 

I think the calculation must have been that Australia, 

on her then population, could raise the strength of her 

units to 100,000 or 110,000 and keep them supplied with 

reinforcements, and that this was probably the genesis of the 

offer, which seems to have been a reasonable one. Some 

papers, however, must surely exist on this point, either

in the Defence Department or in the Prime Minister's. I 

should be most glad to have a copy of them, or alternatively, 

a precis." 

Mr Bean is at present engaged in editing the Volume No.XI of 

the Official History of Australia in the War, dealing with the 

Effort in Australia. Could it be ascertained, please, whether 

there are any records of the incident in question which would be 

helpful to Mr Bean in this matter. 
T. Trumble Ward
Secretary 
3/7/1925.
[*C.G.S
Newman inquired of other in P.M.s staff.

Nothing in P.M's Dept. 

C.E.W.B.

31.7.25*]

[*DEFENCE

S.C.580/2/4049.*]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE.

MINUTE PAPER.
SUBJECT: INFORMATION FOR MR. BEAN. A.I.F. HISTORIAN
CONFIDENTIAL
SECRETARY
MILITARY BOARD 10/7 25

The desired information is not held in this Branch.

It is suggested that the Secretariat files in Central
Registry might be of assistance to the Historian.

H.G. Chauvel
CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF.
8. 7. 25.

204.
July 21, 1925.

Dear Newman, 

When Butler was up here last he promised if possible 

to get me some files which are essential before I can write the 

three first chapters of Volume III. He very kindly sent me a 

list, and said that he would see you about the sending of them 

across. If necessary, it would be worth while sending a 

special officer in charge of them, but I daresay that someone

who is coming up here would be so kind as to bring them with 

him. They could be left at the cloak-room at the Sydney 

station and called for by us the same day. I should be very 

glad if you could give me the benefit of your great ingenuity 

and experiences in this matter. I have read all the other

papers and am only waiting for these before starting on the other

chapters.

You will remember that I asked you previously two 

questions concerning (1) the cable received about June 22, 1915

from the British Government saying that "every man is wanted" 

and documents relative to recruiting about that date, and (2)

the Government's offer on November 25, 1915 of an additional 

50,000 men. If the papers concerning those subjects could be 

sent to me at the same time, it would also be an advantage. 

They are all required for the same chapters, which I cannot very 

well write without knowledge of the foregoing matters. 
Yours sincerely.
C.E.W. BEAN
W.A.Newman Esq.,
Defence Department,

Melbourne.   Victoria

235.

August 3, 1926.
Dear Newman,
It is possible that the Governor-General possesses a 

file containing the communications which passed between Australia 

and Great Britain during the war. This file will be of great 

value some day for record, and it is possible that I may ask 

whether I can be given access to it. In the meantime, however, 

could you ascertain if, when I am engaged on any subject, I could 

get Withers to take an inquiry to the Official Secretary and 

obtain the necessary information if it were available?

In the case of very important, confidential information

either myself, or the writer of one of the volumes, would 

make the application personally; but it would be a great advantage 

if in the numerous cases, where the matter dealt with is 

simply of historical interest, an inquiry could be made in the 

manner suggested above without my specially coming to Melbourne 

on each occasion. 

It seems to me possible that the Governor-General's 

file contains a copy of the message received from the British

Government about June 21, 1915, saying "every man is wanted". 

We find numerous references to the message having been received

but, as in many other cases, the telegram seems to have been 

"souvenired". 

Yours sincerely.
C.E.W. BEAN
W.A. Newman, Esq.
Defence Department
Melbourne, Victoria.

257.
August 15, 1925
Senator the Rt. Honble. G.F. Pearce, P.C.,
The Senate.

Melbourne
Dear Senator Pearce.
If you could spare a moment from your more 

important business. I should be very much obliged for any assistance you could give me on the following point. After the return 

of the War Census figures in November 1915 the Government decided 

to offer an additional 50,000 men or, practically, three new 

divisions. From the speeches made explaining this offer, I take 

it that the Government had estimated that Australia, by exerting

her full effort, could maintain about 110,000 men at the front

(necessitating the raising of 300,000 by June 1915); and that it 

was desired to have the maximum strength at the front by about 

June 1916, when  it was expected the Allies would be ready for a 

supreme effort. Could you tell me (1) whether this at all accurately represents the position, and (2) whether at the end of November 

1915 you had any knowledge of the fact that the Allies were

planning to deliver a heavy concentrated blow in the spring or summer 

of 1916? This blow was, of course, represented by the Somme 

offensive in 1916, in which one of the new Australian divisions (the 

4th) did take part, while the 5th was also available if required. 

The above conclusions are based on the departmental 

cable and the newspaper reports of the time, but these are 

not always specific; and if you would assist me quite shortly by 

confirming these conclusions, or otherwise, I should be very

grateful.  
Yours sincerely,
C. E. W. BEAN

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
IS.     
MINISTER FOR HOME AND TERRITORIES
MELBOURNE. 17th August 1925.
Dear Mr. Bean,
I am in receipt of your letter of 15th August 

in regard to the question of reinforcements for the A.I.F.

In connection with the first point which you 

have raised, that relating to the strength of our own Forces

at 30th June 1916, I think that what you have said does accurately represent the position. 

In regard to the second question my recollection 

is that we did not have any knowledge that the Allies were 

planning to deliver a heavy concerted blow in the spring or

summer of 1916, but our action was rather prompted by a 

greater realisation of the seriousness of the position in 

France and Belgium and the belief that the danger would reach 

its maximum in 1916.
Yours faithfully,
G.F.Pearce
C.E.W.Bean Esq.,
Historian
Victoria Barracks,
SYDNEY.

CABLE LETTER RECEIVED FROM EXTERNAL

AFFAIRS DATED 24TH JULY, 1915
[*By High Commissioner. London*]
Regarding the provision of Medical 

Services for Australians:- from requests for 

the extension of hospital accommodation in 

England and Egypt it appears to be desired by 

the Imperial Authorities that Australia should 

supply complete medical service and make full 

provision for all Australian invalids..

This Government is pleased to do so. 

Ascertain if this is correct.

If so then we consider it essential that this 

Government should retain some authority over 

and have power to promote officers now on 

service or to transfer to other Australian units

as considered proper, in order to assure 

harmonious and satisfactory working, of course 

replacing those transferred. 

Also consider it essential that this Government 

should know what is being done regarding transfers

of officers outside Australia and when possible

should be consulted as to proposed transfers.

So far no such information has been received. 

Present arrangement unsatisfactory in that it 

prevents promotion and frequently compels the 

placing of juniors in service over seniors

more competent and suitable who are absent from

Australia. It is considered that unless this 

is altered it must cause discontent and possible 

serious result. 

Ultimately Australia will not be able 

to supply competent personnel. Assure War 

Office that this cable is not intended to hamper 

or interfere with their authority in any way 

and is merely a suggestion to ensure just treatment 

of Australian officers and harmonious

working of medical services.  

[*A.I.F 24/7/2.

contains subsequent 
papers.*]

SUGGESTED CABLE TO SECRETARY OF STATE.
Secretary,
Suggested that the following be 

cabled to Secretary of State:-

Commonwealth Government offers 50,000

troops organized as 9 Infantry Brigades

with 9 Signal Sections, 9 Brigade Companies 

Divisional Train and 9 Field Ambulances 

and in addition 9 Field Companies 

Engineers stop so that if desired to 

organize into 3 Divisions on arrival Divisional 

Head-Quarters would have to be provided 

by you utilizing Australian officers if 

possible stop No artillery available from 

here stop above troops will be trained and 

equipped but no rifles or machine guns 

available will you provide stop This offer 

is in addition to monthly reinforcements 

for this and other Australian units already 

despatched.
(Sgd) G.G.H. IRVING, Col.
Chief of the General Staff.
25.11.1915.

121/0verseas/843.
War Office.
LONDON, 30th July,1915.
Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 28th 

July, I am directed to acquaint you that - 

1. this office has no desire that Australia should 

supply complete medical services for the whole 

of the contingent but would welcome contributions 

for this purpose so far as the Commonwealth

Government are prepared to furnish them. In 

many cases hospital accommodation can be 

provided for Australian troops in the United 

Kingdom as part of a larger unit established 

for the general needs of the Expeditionary Forces, 

and suitable medical and trained nursing personnel 

from Australia could, with advantage, be 

detailed for services in such sections of these 

large hospitals. They would then come under 

the direct control of the Administrator of the 

whole unit. For this special service it would 

not be necessary to send any officer above the 

rank of Major, and the details of the staff 

required could be communicated by you by telegram 

to Australia as the accommodation becomes 

necessary. 

The Chief Medical Officer, 

Commonwealth Medical Bureau, 

68 Victoria Street,

S.W.