"Monash was a Digger", ANZAC Day 2016, Scotch 82

The rattle of machine-gun fire is not (easily) forgotten, nor the lessons learned if enlisting as a Private Soldier, especially if you have your mind set on becoming an Officer.

Private Soldiers from the 1980's, who become young Army Officers, once learned about such things from Diggers on ANZAC Day, the men who had fought at Gallipoli, and on battle fields like The Western Front, under General Sir John Monash, and that Australian Diggers always punched above their weight at war!

Sir John Monash, presenting a decoration to a soldier in the AIF, after the Battle of Le Hamel, in 1918. (photo ref. http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWmonash.htm)











The 19 year old John Monash was one of the first to enlist in the newly formed (Melbourne) University Rifles, in 1884. Of German-Jewish decent, John was dux of Scotch College in 1881, and enrolled in Arts at Melbourne University in 1882, as well as studying Engineering.

Promotions seemingly came easily to the lessons thirsty Soldier, becoming Corporal in October 1884, and Color Sergeant in September 1885, before the University Company was disbanded in 1886.

Lt Monash received a Commission in the Victorian Military Forces in 1889, having gained Non-Commissioned experience in the Artillery, and was promoted to Captain in October 1895.

University Company, Victorian Rifles, from back left: Color Sgt John Monash, Sgt Farlow, Cpl McWilliams, Cpl Hodjson, Sgt-Major Sullivan; front left: Cpl Pringle, Cpl McCay, Sgt Chase. 1885

(see "Leading the Way: Sir John Monash, the Volunteer Soldier" ->  http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/records-archives/exhibitions/sirjohn/soldier/ )

John Monash, the Engineer, worked on Melbourne's Princess Bridge,"and in 1888 was placed in charge of constructing a new railway even though he had yet to complete his degree...  he and a friend had established a private engineering practice in 1894...  (see Australian War Memorial, General John Monash -> https://www.awm.gov.au/people/P10676516/ )

John married Hannah Moss in April 1891, "after having had several other relationships...  He finished his studies in 1895 [with a Masters of Engineering, Bachelor of Arts and Laws]... having long since decided to combine engineering with a military career"  (see David Doughty - Australian Stories -> http://www.ddoughty.com/monash.html )

 

John's only child, Bertha, was born in 1893.

In October 1897, John he was promoted to Major (having received a Special Certificate for high proficiency in his Major's examination), and was given Command of the North Melbourne Battery, serving there for 11 years.  This would have given him considerable confidence for his future potential within the Officer ranks.

Artillery Officers, 1895, Monash front row, fifth from left. (photo ref. http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/records-archives/exhibitions/sirjohn/soldier/ )








Federation, in 1901, saw the formation of the Australian Military Forces from the Colonial militias, and he gained experience in the newly formed Australian Intelligence Corps, being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and offered it's Command in March 1908, remaining in charge of the Victorian section until mid-1913.

From the 1st July, 1913, Colonel Monash was appointed commander of the 13th Infantry Brigade, which by the end of the year contained five infantry battalions, two (Artillery) batteries, a Survey company, an Army Service Corps, and an Ambulance. John Monash was prospering in both business and the militia, and with the outbreak of war, he became a full-time military Officer.

http://www.nationalanzaccentre.com.au/story/john-monash

In September, 1914, after the Australian Imperial Force was formed, Colonel Monash was given a field command of the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade, consisting of four battalions, but with some controversy because of his German-Jewish decent.  Nevertheless, he had already gained considerable support, and after training his brigade at Broadmeadows (Victoria), they embarked for Egypt in December, before landing at Gallipoli, early on the 26th of April, 1915, in Reserve.

Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. 1915. Colonel Monash's Headquarters, 4th Australian Infantry Brigade, at Anzac. The officers, reading from left to right, are: Captain McGlynn, Lieutenant Colonel McGlinn, Colonel Monash, Unknown, Unknown, Captain Lock.

Brigade commander Monash was promoted Brigadier-General in July 1915. "By mid-August, Monash's brigade was down to just 1400 men out of 3,350 it had begun the campaign with...

On 25 April, 1916, the first anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli, while at Tel-el-Kebir [Egypt], Monash and his men solemnly observed Anzac Day.  Brigadier Monash distributed red ribbons to soldiers present at the first landing and blue ribbons to those who came later."(see -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Monash#Gallipoli)

For a brief segment from "Monash: The Forgotten Anzac", that records his description of the First Landing at Gallipoli, in particular, click here ->  http://dl.nfsa.gov.au/module/1571/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGkRJHJ5juI

"Monash: The Forgotten Anzac" documents Sir John's life during WWI, including relationships with War Correspondences, The Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes, British High Command, and King George V, who Knighted him on the Battlefield at Cheateau Bertangles, near Amiens, France.