Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/257/1 - 1916 - 1927 - Part 9

6.

COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA & ENGLAND.	ACTION AT THE FRONT
	from the Home authorities to the effect that the state of Australian reinforcements will not admit of the two Australian brigades being sent to France at present, and it understood that, on present indications, the drafts likely to be available from Australia will be insufficient to maintain more than the five divisions now in the field." Reply was forwarded to Birdwood (then in London). He consulted M'Cay, and then interviewed the A.G. and Deputy C.G.S. at the War Office on June 21.
10 June 1917. Defence Dept. to General Birdwood. "WY893. Your T.3366 June 8th. Approve of your recommendation regarding 6th Division."
	14 June 1917. G.O.C. A.I.F. Depots in U.K. (M'Cay) to D.A.G., A.I.F. H.Q., France. Statement as to reinforcements available for the five divisions. Submitted for consideration that, if sufficient reinforcements  are to be assured, the formation of the 6th Division should be abandoned and the 16th and 17th Bdes. used as reinforcements.
21 June 1917. Birdwood to Defence Department. "Re my telegram 3366 June 8,owing to shortage of reinforcements present idea seems to be not to go on with formation of 6th Division. 16th and 17th Bdes will probably proceed to France for attachment to existing divisions pending information you may give War Office later on regarding probable numbers of men forthcoming. This for your private  information.
	(A digger, John L. Peadon, of the 54th Battalion, who can't get back to his battalion, writes to the High Commissioner: "Personally I belong in spirit to only one battalion, and I'll sacrifice everything to get back to it, and take my chance as I have done many a time before." The 54th had said they'd like to get him, but couldn't.) 27 June 1917.Further bad report on 16th Brigade. Inspecting officer (Brigadier-General King-King of the Southern Command) doesn't think Brigadier or brigade-major capable. Specially reported by Bar Office to Birdwood. (Antill had been shifted again and again). Birdwood says Antill had been "specially got over from Egypt to be a waiting man in the event of a division falling vacant" as "one of our best men". Birdwood thinks he

 

7. 

COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA & ENGLAND.	ACTION AT THE FRONT
	was knocked out by last winter in France. (As a matter of fact he had never had the character for command.) Antill disputed the facts (i.e. in the report by General King-King). McCay was not satisfied with Antill. M'C says brigade could not go oversea as a fighting unit for two months. Later M'Cay says things improved in next month. Major-General Howard (20 July) says four of the C.0's are indifferent. MacLagan was there for a while, but now only G.S.O.1 left. G.O.C., 17th Bde is good. 30 June 1917. General Whigham writes to Birdwood. "(1) "There are at present only 2593 reinforcements en route from Australia. (2) If the two additional infantry brigades are considered as available to provide reinforcements there should be just sufficient men to maintain the five divisions in France up to the end of August. (3) If the two addition brigades are sent to France and the Australian divisions take part in further heavy fighting we may be faced with a deficit at the end of August amounting to 11,000 men. "In these circumstances the Adjutant-General does not consider that we should be justified in sending the additional brigades to France, and I think you will agree with him. "I have sent a copy of this letter to Kiggell.
(?) What is this?	"No doubt the situation will improve if the Australian Government get their bill through." Yours ever R. Whigham." (Note. It is quite certain that any troops sent to Haig or Birdwood that year would have been used up. Therefore in the result it was the greatest good fortune that these troops were not sent. It must have meanta great deal to the Australian force in 1918 when it was being more skilfully employed by the Higher Command. C.E.W.B.) Holman had been with Birdwood in France, and he thought conscription would be

 

8.

COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA & ENGLAND.	ACTION AT THE FRONT
	again referred to the country, and was confident would be carried. If so (says Birdwood to Whigham) "there will I imagine, be no difficulty about our keeping up six divisions. He therefore still urges sending of Brigades to France, but as reinforcements. 28 June 1917. Has been decided that N.C.O's and men who served on Gallipoli will be granted the option of returning to their original units. 24 July 1917. Battalions were still being rigidly kept up on July 24 by Birdwood. Brigades being preserved, and should be sent over (view of General Sclater, G.O.C., Southern Command). (Evidently on chance of conscription being passed.) M'Cay was allowed to make 6 recommendations for cadet commissions per month. Birdwood agrees(as most are ex-wounded men) and suggest to War Office 15) 26 July 1917. Whigham writes to Birdwood. Both War Office and G.H.Q. think, in view of situation regarding Australian reinforcements, 16th and 17th Brigades should not be sent to France at present; but pity to break up cadre, as it "may even yet be practicable to send them to the front some day." From this time breakinup began(i.e., before Ypres offensive and not because of it). M'Cay against the cadres being preserved. Also against "littering up" France with unemployed Battalion commanders and brigadiers and staffs. Birdwood doesn't agree to immediate breakup of cadres.
9 Aug. 1917.	From M'Cay to D.A.G., A.I.F., France. Proposal that units of 6th Division be used as reinforcements concurred in by D.I.G.1 D.C.I.G.S. (Whigham) and Director of Organisation. Whole bns to be sent across as reinforcements rearranged according to original units of men, those who have not served at the front to be allotted territorially. 11 August 1917. From M'Cay to D.A.G., A.I.F., France. Hopes decision to retain skeleton brigade cadres will be reconsidered as brigades cannot go to front as complete units in view of deficiency of reinforcements.

 

9.

COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN ENGLAND & AUSTRALIA.	ACTION AT THE FRONT
14 August 1917. Deputy P.M.G., Melbourne, asked Defence for composition of 6th Division, as mial mails were received for them. Secretary had to answer (Aug. 22) that nothing was known of the units or of their location.
	Mid-August 1917. Large drafts being son: from 6th Division. 22 August 1917. from M'Cay to D.A.G., A.I.F., France. Advising re number of men being returned to 3rd Division from 6th Division. 26 August 1917. Telegram from 3rd Aust. Div. Base Depot in France to D.A.G.,A.I.F. 1160 other ranks late 6th Division fully trained arrived today. May request be made for these to proceed join battalions immediately ..... thus saving five days delay. 1 September 1917. D.A.G.,A.I.F. to A.I.F. Depots in U.K. Question of despatch of reinforcements from Australia being intermitted during winter months being referred to War Office.
13 September 1917. Birdwood cables to Defence(in continuation of message of June 21). 16th and 17th Brigades did not proceed France, but are now utilized as reinforcements and will shortly be broken up. 4th Division which was withdrawn to 2nd Anzac last May has now rejoined 1st Anzac. 3rd Division has been continuously and is still with 2nd Anzac. (This must be in reply to an urgent request for information from Australia)
	7 September 1917. 196 officers transferred to infantry units of AIF in France, except about 4 sent to general reinforcements. Also 49 other officers had been raised to commissions in 6th Division - now set free. 61,62,63,65, and 66,67,69,70 - were the battalions formed. 24th September 1917. Staffs of brigades broken up. [?]Antill sent to Australia. Watson (17th Bde) to Overseas Training Brigade as Colonel. N.C.O's efess of disbanded units had reached some of the battalions in France by 13 October.
1 November 1917. Legge says the unauthorised creation of new units in England will lead to great hardship.

 

 

 

10.
On 10 December 1917 a lady who had five
brothers doing their bit wrote to Mr.
Groom, M.P., saying she had had a
brother transferred to the 6th Division,
and asking if he could enlighten her in
any way about it. Groom sent the
letter to the Defence Department, who
replied that there is not and never has
been a 6th Division of the A.I.F.
(A very difficult reply to make explaining
how the battalions were formed)
 

39 Selborne Chambers,
Melbourne,
2^nd Sep. 1927
T.W. Henry Esq.
C/o Dr Gullett
Sanlit Hill {/}arog

Dear M^r Henry.
I hope this morning received
you were of  y' day's out reading

"Sincerely obliged your kind help

Please address Henry Care Dr Gullett

Sanlit Hill C[?] & this I now

acknowledge. I am also writing

you this morning that the package

is going tomorrow.

There are one or two [?] is 

my notes : if it is [?]  to

have them billed, you can . let me

know. You might kindly return

to me the documents " N^o1" "N^o2"
and "A" & "B". They are the only

copies I have. If there are any

questions on which you require further

information I shall be glad to

try & supply it. When the recruiting

campaign could, I made a 

fairly long [?] of points which

had arisen. for my sake solely facti[?]

unfortunately this document has been mislaid

during my absence in Europe

in 1921.2 & in America in

1923-4. But it [?] turn up some

where  I am

yours Sincerely.

Donald Mackinnon
 

[* [?] [?]

[?] [?] [?]

Rose Bay

No 1

09/11/1916*]
RECRUITING.
—————————
ORGANIZATION AND STAFF.
FEDERAL--Director-General of Recruiting
(The Honourable Donald Mackinnon, M.L.A.)
Secretary
(Captain W. A. Robinson).
STATES —State Recruiting Committees.
                   State Organizing Secretaries.
                   Federal Electorate Executive Committees.
                   Local Recruiting Committees.
                   Recruiting Officers.
                   Organizers.

—————————
STATE RECRUITING COMMITTEES.
A State Recruiting Committee in each State will be nominated by the Director
General of Recruiting.
The Director-General of Recruiting will correspond direct with them, and they
with him, on general matters affecting the civil organization.
These Committees will exercise authority and supervision over all Electorate
and Local Committees, and will guide and direct the general policy to be adopted in
the organization of each particular State, subject to the direction of the Director-
General of Recruiting.
STATE ORGANIZING SECRETARIES.
The State Organizing Secretaries will act as Secretaries to State Committees,
and will be vested with the authority to carry out the directions of the State Committees.
They will co-ordinate the military and civil organizations.
They will be given a free hand in all matters, other than financial, pertaining to
general organizing methods, subject to the direction of the Director-General of
Recruiting and of the State Committee.
Recruiting Officers in Federal Electorates will be under the immediate control
of the State Organizing Secretaries.
Organizers attached to the staff of Recruiting Officers will be subject to the
immediate control of such Officers, and will form part of the staff of the State
Recruiting Committees, and will be appointed by such Committees. State Committees
will in a general way advise and direct Electorate Committees in matters of policy and
procedure.
State Organizing Secretaries will certify, where necessary, to the payment of
salaries, allowances, and expenses of Recruiting Officers, staffs, and Local Committees.
They will furnish progress reports at stated times to the Director-General of
Recruiting.
C.16182.
 

[* These Committees have

been of little use*]

2.
FEDERAL ELECTORATE COMMITTEES.
The Federal Electorate Committee in each Federal Electorate shall consist of
seven members. The members of these Committees will be appointed at a duly convened
conference of three delegates from each local War Service or Recruiting Committee.
The Federal Member for the Electorate will be ex officio Chairman of this Committee.

Members of the Senate for each State shall be ex officio members of any
committee or group of committees that may suit their convenience as indicated by
them to the State Organizing Secretary. All State Members whose electorates are
altogether or mainly within the Federal Electorate will be also ex officio members of
this Committee.
A. Vice-Chairman will be appointed in every instance.
[* Question of giving funds &

more control*]

LOCAL RECRUITING COMMITTEES.
Local Recruiting Committees shall be formed in each local government area,
and, if considered desirable, as in the case of shires, in towns within the shires which
are centres of population, or, in the case of metropolitan municipalities, in the different
wards or subdivisions.
The existing War Service Committees and Local Recruiting Committees will
be the basis of local organization, provided that such Committees agree to immediately
call public meetings in conjunction with Mayors and Presidents, with a view to
increasing their membership. The Committees should be increased to the greatest
extent, with power to add to their numbers. They might aim at embracing all men and
women in their districts who are prepared to assist in endeavouring to win the war.
An Executive Committee of seven should be appointed by each Local Committee.
[?] of [?] local committees.
RECRUITING OFFICERS.
One or more Recruiting Officers, not necessarily holding military rank, will be
stationed in a central town or towns in each Federal Electorate.
One of such officers shall be the Secretary and Organizer to the Federal Electorate
Committee in each electorate.
Where a civilian is appointed a Recruiting Officer he shall receive a salary at the
rate of Two hundred and fifty pounds per annum, with travelling expenses when absent
from his head station at the rate of Ten shillings per day
Recruiting Officers are to exclusively devote their attention to recruiting organization

and must not engage in any occupation while holding this position.

[*Qn [?] to the 

Dept h[?] been

given by their

area officers*]
The area officer in each training area will carry out his area duties independently
of the Recruiting Officer who may be stationed in the same locality. He must,
however, be always prepared to assist the Recruiting Officer when required, and should
lose no opportunity of enrolling recruits, notifying the Recruiting Officer of the action
taken, and making the necessary arrangements, as to medical examination and transit
through such Recruiting Officer.
ORGANIZERS.
Organizers may be appointed in each Federal Electorate, and these men should
be suitable discharged returned soldiers appointed as civilians, civilians not eligible for
active service, or civilians, who having volunteered for active service, have been
rejected.
They must be men of recognised organizing ability.
All Recruiting Sergeants shall be immediately withdrawn and their appointments
terminated.
Organizers will be paid Four pounds per week, and ten shillings per day travelling
expenses when absent from their head station.
[*X*]

They will work under the immediate control of the Electorate Recruiting Officers
and Electorate Committees, subject to the general supervision of the State Committees.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS.
The salaries, allowances, and expenses of the Federal Secretary and State
Secretaries, Recruiting Officers, Organizers, and staffs shall be paid by the District
Paymaster of each military district.
 

(COPY)
9th June, 1916.
[* N^o2*]
MEMORANDUM
As a result of the Recruiting Campaign in Victoria,
inaugurated 1st January, 23,915 recruits have enlisted to date
according to the figures appearing in the metropolitan press,
leaving only 1,085 to make up a total of 25,000 for the half
year ending 30th June.
This may be regarded as a satisfactory response to
the Prime Minister's appeal for voluntary enlistment from the
people of Victoria.
The plan hitherto adopted of organization of local
Committees with the aid of Recruiting Sergeants has worked well.
These local Committees have given much time and attention to
the practical work of the scheme.
In order to afford a further stimulus for enlistment
by the voluntary method, we now suggest that advantage be
taken of the powers contained in the Defence Act to call up,
for purposes of drill on one day in each week, persons between
the ages of 18 and 45 or persons of the classes set out in
Section 60(3) of the Act as may be deemed expedient. By this
means an effective army may at any time be raised and those so
drilled will be brought to a closer realization of the seriousness

of the present situation and afforded opportunities of
offering their services to their country when they are needed.
Then, instead of as at present enlisting untrained men for
active service we should have at hand a reservoir from which
a steady flow of drilled men would be available.
The details of the scheme can readily be worked out
and the drilling of the Citizen Army be made coincident in
many cases with the training of cadets.
We have ample drill instructors amongst the present
staff and men who have returned from the front. The expense of
this procedure should be inconsiderable. Uniforms will not be
required, and no cost to the country should be incurred as we
suggest that service such as this should be rendered without
payment.
(Sgd.) DONALD MACKINNCN, Chairman
J. W. BILLSON.
 

E.M.

(Record of work to 30/6/17)
22/8/17 "A" 

RECRUITING
The Recruiting Scheme outlined by the Government on the
29th November, 1916, provided for the appointment of a Director
General of Recruiting, under whose direction the voluntary recruiting
organization was to be placed.
A Central Recruiting Committee was to be established in
each State consisting of one member of the Federal Parliament, or
more; one member of the State Parliament, or more; and civilians.
Each Federal electorate of the House of Representatives
was to be made a recruiting district, the member for such district
to be ex-officio Chairman of the District Committee and members of
the Senate for each State to be ex-officio members of any Committee
in their State that might suit their convenience. All State members
whose electorates were altogether or mainly within the Federal
electorate were to be ex-officio members of this Committee.
Local Recruiting Committees were also to be formed in
each local government area and if considered desirable in centres
of population within such areas.
In the State of Western Australia it was found necessary
to alter the proposed recruiting areas and instead of the districts
being co-terminous with the Federal electorate areas, recruiting
officers were stationed in eight centres of population, and the
surrounding districts worked from those centres.
Provision was made for the appointment of a recruiting
officer in each Federal electorate, also the appointment of organizers
to be selected from among discharged returned soldiers, men not
eligible for active service, or men, who, having volunteered for
active service, had been rejected.
The Director General took up his duties in December,
1916, and immediately set to work to get the recruiting organization
in motion. Central Committees - known as State Recruiting
Committees - with an Organizing Secretary in each case, were
appointed by him in the capital city of each State, and necessary