Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/264/1 - 1914 - 1938 - Part 10

F2897
F2598
TELEPHONE Nos.
CENT 297
298
COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO
"THE DIRECTOR."
IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE
No 7/4/5
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
HOME AND TERRITORIES DEPARTMENT.
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS
"AUSWARMUSE."
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL.
EXHIBITION BUILDINGS, MELBOURNE.
11th March, 1927.
Dear Mr. Bazley,
In going through a file of correspondence
today I noticed a letter in which the names of the R.A.N.
personnel who took part in the action at Zeebrugge and Ostend
are given.
While I realise that it is extremely
probable that you have obtained this informatión already
from some other source, it occurred to me that it might be
advisable to send you a copy of the letter, and I am accordingly
doing so.
Yours sincerely,
J. Treloar
Mr. A. W. Bazley,
C/o. Official Historian,
Victoria Barracks,
Sydney.
 

COPY.
Department of Defence
Navy Office, Melbourne.
13th February, 1922.
The Director,
Australian War Museum,
Exhibition Buildings,
MELBOURNE.
CABLE USED TO EXPLODE BOTTOM SINKING CHARGES IN
H.M.S. "VINDICTIVE" DURING THE OSTEND BLOCKING RAID.
-----
With reference to your letter dated 3rd November, 1921,
to Engineer Commander B. Hocken, 2M.21/6066, which desired
following particulars relative to raid on Ostend:-
(a) some details of the sinking charges and the
method of exploding them;
(b) whether any members of the Royal Australian
Navy took part in the raid.
I am commanded by the Naval Board to forward information
as under.
2. Re (a) above, the particulars of charges used in this
instance are not known, but it is presumed that the usual
arrangements made for scuttling H.M.Ships were carried out,
viz. charges were either guncotton or amatol and were
exploded by means of a detonator fired by an electric
battery.
3. Re (b), the following members of the R.A.N. took part
in the raid on Ostend:
Engineer Lieutenant William H.V. Edgar (the Artificer
Engineer) R.A.N., on board H.M.S. "IRIS".
George J. Bush, Leading Seaman  )
Henry J. Gillard, Able Seaman   )  on board H.M.S. 
Leopold T. Newland, Able Seaman   )
Dalmorton J. o. Rudd, Leading Seaman )  "VINDICTIVE"
James Strong, Stoker  )
The following members of the R.A.N. were on board
H.M.S. "THETIS" which, with other ships, raided Zeebrugge
at the same time as the raid on Ostend:-
William J. Burke, Stoker
Reginald Hopkins, Stoker
Godfrey J. Lockard, Stoker
Norbert J. McCrory, Stoker
George E. Staples, Able Seaman.
The action was a very heavy and dangerous one and the
percentage of casualties necessarily very high, but, by
extraordinary good fortune, all the Australians came through
uninjured.
(Sgd.)
Secretay.
 

Tingira
Boys drafted into Fleet from Tingira
1913  -  185
1914 [?] War. 110
295   295
1914. After declaration of war   35
1915.   205.
1916.   160.
1917.   183.
1918. to [[Sepm?]] 27-8-18   193.   776
1071
Number who were in "Sydney" for action 30.
Number onboard on Xxx Aug 4th 1914
(after special drafts in July 1914) about 130.
+ possibly a similar number who were
by then noted Ordinary or able seamen. 
 

F.4151
xxxxxx
1401.
15 September 1926.
The Commanding Officer,
Royal Australian Naval College,
Captain's Point,
Jervis Bay,
via Nowra. N.S.W.
Dear Sir,
In editing the forthcoming history of the Royal Australian
Navy during the Great War I have found that no details have been
included concerning the batches of cadets which were sent oversea
from the R.A.N. College, or the subsequent record of those cadets.
I should be greatly obliged if you could assist me with
information on the following points -
(1) How many batches (and what numbers in each) of cadets
were in residence at Jervis Bay at the outbreak of war, and how
far had their training progressed?
(2) What batches were sent overseas during the war (and
numbers??
(3) Particulars, if available, of their allotment to British
or Australian ships, and of their service during the war.
If there is any other point which strikes you as being
worthy of mention I should be grateful if you would note it down.
I have informed the Secretary of the Defence Department
that I am writing to you direct concerning this matter.
Yours faithfully,
C. E. W. BEAN
 

F.4151
xxxxxx
1402.
15 September 1926.
Dear Newman,
The naval history is now almost all to hand, but it omits
chat seem to me two important matters for treatment - (1) the
provision of personnel for the R.A.N. during the war, and (2) the
new construction programme of ships.
With reference to Jervis Bay and the "Tingira", I am
writing direct to the commanding officers. As to all other sources
of personnel, would you kindly consult the Navy Office for me and
see whether they can supply me with the following data?
(1) What were the numbers and personnel of the R.A.N. at the
outbreak of war, and what proportions were then R.N. and
R.A.N.?
(2) What were the numbers in 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, and at
the end of the war? If possible what was the proportion of
R.N. and R.A.N. at each stage?
(3) What sources, other then the R.A.N. College, did the
R.A.N. possess during the war for the following officers -
(a) Executive
(b) Engineers
(c) Medical
(d) Administrative
(e) Chaplains.
And how many came from each source during the war?
(4) What sources existed for ratings -
(a) Boys (other than from "Tingira")
(b) Seamen
(c) Stokers
(d) Tradesmen
(e) Other ratings
(5)And how many came from each source during the war?
(5) Was any additional personnel obtained from the R.N. during
the war?
(6) What was the number of R.A.N.R. at the outbreak of war,
for each year of the war, and at the end of the war?
(7) What was the strength of the R.A.N. Brigade and the
number of U.T. cadets in training at the outbreak of war?
I should also be glad if the Navy Office would inform me
as to what ships were added to the naval programme during the war.
I know that the "Brisbane", three destroyers, and two service ships
were on order or under construction when war broke out. What I want
to discover is - what ships weressubsequently ordered; when they were
finished; and the approximate cost of each (if this figure is available).
Yours sincerely,
C. E. W. BEAN
 

App & Text F
TELEPHONE
CENTRAL 4780.
Sec/VW.
No.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE,
Sec/UW.
No
MELBOURNE, 22nd December, 1926.
19605
Dear Bean,
Referring to yours of 15th September regarding
the provision of personnel for the R.A.N. during the War,
have now received from Macandie the following replies to your
enquiries:-
(1) What were the numbers of personnel of the R.A.N. at
the outbreak of war, and what proportions were then R.N.
and R.A.N.?
Nos. borne at outbreak of War - 3800
R.N. 850  (22.37%)
R.A.N. 2950 (77.63%)
(2) What were the numbers in 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, and
at the end of the war? If possible what was the
proportion of R.N. and R.A.N. at each stage?
Nos. borne 1915    4400
R.N. 1100 (25%)
R.A.N. 3300 (75%)
"   "    1916    4450
R.N. 975 (21.9%)
R.A.N. 3475 (78.1%)
"   "    1917    4700
R.N. 725 (15.4%)
R.A.N. 3975 (84.6%)
"   "    1918    5050
R.N. 825 (16.3%)
R.A.N. 4225 (83.7%)
"   "    at end of War (June, '19) 5250
R.N. 1025 (19.5%)
(3) What sources, other than the R.A.N. College, did the
R.A.N. possess during the war for the following officers -
(a) Executive
(b) Engineers
(c) Medical
(d) Administrative
(e) Chaplains.
And how many came from each source during the war?
(a)  ) R.A.N.R., R.N.R. and R.N. (Retired).
(b)  )
(c)  )
(d)  ) From Shore as required.
(e)  ) 
/(Numbers
 

- 2 -
(Numbers from each source are not available).
(4) What sources existed for ratings -
(a) Boys (other than from "Tingira")
(b) Seamen
(c) Stokers
(d) Tradesmen
(e) Other ratings
And how many came from each source during the war?
(a) Nil
(b) ex R.N. and ex R.A.N. volunteers.
(c)  "    "    "    and newly raised
men from the Shore.
(d)  )
(e)  ) Recruited from Shore
(Numbers from each source are not available).
(5) Was any additional personnel obtained from the R.N.
during the war?
Approximately 350.
I fancy you have been furnished with the particulars
in regard to the following matters :-
(6) What was the number of R.A.N.R. at the outbreak of war,
for each year of the war, and at the end of the war?
(7) What was the strength of the R.A.N. Brigade and the
number of U.T. cadets in training at the outbreak of war?
(8) Naval Programme during the War.
If you have not had replies to these just let me
know please.
Yours sincerely,
W A Newman
C.E.W. Bean, Esq.,
Official Historian,
Victoria Barracks,
SYDNEY.
 

TELEPHONE
CENTRAL 4780.
Sec/VW.
No.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE,
MELBOURNE, 25/11/26
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL.
Dear Bean,
Referring to your personal & confidential 1442
dated 29th September I think the enclosed from Macandie will
help to clear up some of the matters which you encountered in
editing Jose's Volume.
The points (1) (2) and (3) enumerated in your
note are of such importance that they call for careful and
delicate handling. Points (1) and (2) would of course require
the application of a refining process; regarding (3) the
data now furnished will be helpful.
Yours faithfully,
W A Newman
C.E.W. Bean Esq.
Official Historian,
Victoria Barracks,
SYDNEY.
 

S.C.453/201/29/3158
TELEPHONE
CENTRAL 4780
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE.
NAVY OFFICE,
MELBOURNE
23 November, 1926.
Dear Newman,
With reference to your letter of 12th October,
asking for documents which would enable Bean to check certain
paragraphs in Jose's Volume -
As to Loss of "Cumberland" - attached is copy of
letter from Naval Board to Secretary; Prime Minister's
Department, dated 22nd November, 1917, which definitely
states that before the Captain left Sydney he was
given written instructions by the Naval Authorities to
keep outside the 100 fathom line, and had he obeyed
these instructions he would have been in no danger
from mines.
As to Loss of "Wimmera" - attached is extract from
Warning Form "B", issued to the Captain by the District
Naval Officer at Sydney. This clearly instructs him
to keep outside the 130 fathom line wherever possible
on any coast.
As to Loss of "Matunga"- Navy Secret file 17/0183
regarding the capture of the "Matunga" by German Raider
"Wolff", is noted in Records Location Registers as
having been loaned to Captain Jose on 25/6/24.
That file is not mentioned in the list of files
transferred to Captain Bean on Jose leaving Sydney
some months ago. It is probable, however, that it
was turned overto Bean some time before Jose's departure.
It is therefore suggested that Bean be asked to
make a search for that file and report result.
The file in question is not in Records.
Yours faithfully,
[[for rideandio?]]
Secretary, Naval Board.
 W.A. Newman Esq.
Chief Clerk.
 

TRIPLICATE COPY OF ORIGINAL MEMORANDUM.
[*confidential*]
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY,
22nd. November 1917.
The Secretary
Prime Minister's Department.
With reference to your confidential letter of 12th.
October, the Naval Board is of opinion that the findings
of the Superintendent of Navigation were justified by
the evidence before him.
Since the enquiry was closed, mine-sweeping
operations have resulted in the discovery of mines near the
spot at which the "CUMBERLAND" met with disaster, and this
fact makes it certain, from all practical points of view
that the vessel struck a mine.
Having regard to the possibility of the incidence
of loss depending upon whether the vessel was destroyed
owing to an internal or an external explision, the Naval
Authorities took special care to have the position of
the vessel clearly established. Having regard to the
necessity of avoiding a public disclosure of the secret
naval route instructions, as much evidence as possible
on this point was obtained at the formal enquiry.
Subsequently steps were taken to have the Captain further
examined on this point. The Captain has now marked
his position at the time of the explosion as in under 60
fathoms of water. Before he left Sydney he was given
written instructions by the Naval Authorities to keep
outside the 100 fathom line until he reached a position
many miles past Gabo. Had he obeyed these instructions
(for which we hold his signed receipt) he would have
been in no danger from mines until he had to enter the
comparatively shoal water of Bass Straits at a point far
distant from the scene of the disaster.
The secret route instructions were drawn up for
the express purpose of safeguarding vessels against mines
and it is regrettable in the highest degree that the
Officer in charge of the navigation of the ship should
have disregarded them and thus brought about the loss of
this fine vessel.
In view of these facts it is impossible to acquit
the Master of all responsibility for the disaster.
(SCD) GEO. L. MACANDIE.
Naval Secretary.