CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IIICOMMANDANT OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Shortly after I took up the command in New South Wales an incident occurred which gave the first real impetus to the serious consideration and final adoption by the Government of the system of universal service as proposed by me eleven years before when Commandant in Adelaide. I had arranged to read a paper to my officers in New South Wales. Owing to the fact that our own military institute was not sufficiently large to accommodate them we had made arrangements to hire one of the big public halls, and we had decided to ask the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Alderman Allan Taylor, to take the chair and to send invitations to many of the chief citizens to be present. My object in reading this paper was to push on the question of universal service. The title I had selected for the lecturette was, “What has Australia done for the Australians, and What are Australians doing for Australia?” After I had finished the Lord Mayor made a few remarks with reference to the subject at issue and concluded by moving a vote of thanks. This was really outside our practice at the institute. I thanked the Lord Mayor for his kind remarks, and in quite a colloquial way said that it was distressing to go round the public parks about Sydney on holidays and Saturday afternoons and see thousands of young men sitting on fences smoking cigarettes, content to loaf and look on while a few men played games. It happened that the previous Saturday had been the last day of one of the cricket Test Matches, against England played at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The attendance thereat had been enormous, as usual—somethirty-five thousand people. The next morning I was astonished when I got the morning papers to see the following headings: “The Citizens of Sydney insulted.... Forty thousand loafers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. So says our new Commandant, General Gordon.”

Then followed a statement to the effect that while addressing the officers under his command and many eminent citizens the evening before, the general had stated that on the previous Saturday he had been present at the Sydney Cricket Ground and had seen thousands of loafers whose time would have been far better taken up if they had been devoting it to fitting themselves for the defence of their country, and that they (the newspaper reporters) considered it a very undeserved reflection on the thousands who were watching the big tussle at the Test Match.

Knowing full well that these headings would have been telegraphed to the Press throughout Australia and have appeared therein that same morning, I at once wired to the Military Board, for the information of the Minister, to the effect that the newspaper reports were inaccurate. I was reported also to have stated that I had ready for the consideration of the Government a scheme which would form the basis upon which to found a system of universal service. This latter part of their report was correct. I had made that statement. I had prepared the scheme in Adelaide eleven years before.

Shortly after sending my wire to the Military Board I received one from them drawing my attention to the Press reports and requesting an explanation as to their correctness as regarded the “thousands of loafers,” and further desiring to be informed if the statement as to the scheme for universal service was accurate, and, if so, instructing me to forward it for the information of the Minister by the first post. My own telegram, which had crossed theirs, had answered their first question. With reference to the second I notified them that the schemewould be posted that afternoon. I can reproduce here the actual document which I sent down. It read as follows:

SCHEME for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia, based on the recognition by the citizens of the Commonwealth of the personal responsibility on the part of one and all to prepare themselves in time of peace so as to enable them to bear their share of the burden of the protection of the Commonwealth and Empire in time of war.

IGENERAL VIEW OF PRESENT SITUATION

GENERAL VIEW OF PRESENT SITUATION

It is submitted that:

(a) The national growth of a nation depends on the recognition of the personal responsibility of that nation’s citizens to develop her industrial and commercial interests and the integrity thereof.

(b) In the present economic conditions of a young nation such as Australia (an island continent containing an area of practically one-third of the British Empire whose population totals only some five millions of inhabitants), it is not considered advisable or even practicable to establish and maintain a standing army of sufficient strength to enable the nation to put its trust for its protection on such a standing army and, thereby, relieve the rest of its male inhabitants from the responsibility of service in case of an invasion.

The maintenance of such a standing army would, it is urged, be a direct loss, as it would severely cripple the best interests of the economic development of the nation in time of peace, specially in the early years of the nation’s growth, and it would entail an expenditure not justifiable under such circumstances.

1stly, To have a sound mind in a sound body;2ndly, To submit to military discipline;3rdly, To shoot straight;and4thly, To learn sufficient drill to enable him to fulfil his duties in the ranks with such knowledge and intelligence as will give him the necessary confidence in himself;and that system is so carried out that it does not interfere in any way with the industrial, professional, or commercial avocations of such young men, then the foundation will be laid of a national defence force based on the highest principles of citizenship which will be of the greatest value for home defence or to fight away from her shores in the interests of the Empire.

1stly, To have a sound mind in a sound body;

2ndly, To submit to military discipline;

3rdly, To shoot straight;

and

4thly, To learn sufficient drill to enable him to fulfil his duties in the ranks with such knowledge and intelligence as will give him the necessary confidence in himself;and that system is so carried out that it does not interfere in any way with the industrial, professional, or commercial avocations of such young men, then the foundation will be laid of a national defence force based on the highest principles of citizenship which will be of the greatest value for home defence or to fight away from her shores in the interests of the Empire.

IIWHAT IS THE SYSTEM PROPOSED?

WHAT IS THE SYSTEM PROPOSED?

The system aims at securing for every young man:

1st, A sound mind in a sound body;2nd, A disciplined mind;3rd, The ability to shoot straight;and4th, A sufficient knowledge of drill to give him confidence in the field.

1st, A sound mind in a sound body;

2nd, A disciplined mind;

3rd, The ability to shoot straight;

and

4th, A sufficient knowledge of drill to give him confidence in the field.

The first requirement—that of securing “a sound mind in a sound body”—can only be successfully accomplished by a very carefully thought out and progressive method of training the mental and physical qualities of our boys from the time when they first go to school. The training of the youthful minds may be safely left to the Education Departments; it is necessarily commensurate with the individual capabilities of the boys.

The physical training can be accomplished, and is already so accomplished in certain schools, by a progressive system of physical culture. There is no difficulty in providing a manual of physical culture for boys which shall be progressive and uniform in character, and which can be taught in all schools by the teachers themselves; in fact, one has been already prepared at my suggestion by Mr. Weber, Melbourne.

The second requirement—that of securing “a disciplined mind.” Here again it is essential to commence to instil the principles which form a disciplined mind as early as possible in the boy’s early youth. Self-denial, obedience to the orders of their superiors, and respect and affection for their elders, are perhaps the most important of these principles.

This task may again be safely left to the officers of the Education Department.

It will be seen, therefore, that the first two requirements may be obtained by a system, as advocated above, to be imparted to all boys in their early youth by those who are charged with their elementary education, and it is urged that such system should beuniform and form part of the school curriculum, the teachers being required to qualify to impart the necessary instruction.

The third requirement—“the ability to shoot straight.” Here again the earlier in life a boy is taught to handle firearms safely the more probable it will be that he will become a straight shot in his manhood.

In this respect it is pointed out that such instruction could not be expected, except, in some cases, to be given by the teachers, who could not reasonably be called upon to qualify themselves to teach the use of the rifle as experts. It therefore becomes necessary that qualified instructors should be provided to attend all schools and superintend personally the training of such boys as shall prove their capabilities to be trusted in the actual use of the rifle with ball cartridge.

It will be seen that it is only in the attainment of this third requirement that an extra expenditure to that now incurred is required by the employment of expert instructors.

Now for the fourth requirement—“a sufficient knowledge of drill to give a man confidence in the field.”

In this respect it is well to give such statistics as are available in order to grasp thoroughly the nature of difficulties that have to be encountered in achieving the object aimed at.

It is submitted that the statistics available for the State of New South Wales apply equally to the other States of the Commonwealth pro rata of their population.

In New South Wales in December, 1904, there were:

17,467male children between the ages of12and1317,214""""13"1416,666""""14"1516,084""""15"16

Of the above number of male children the following were attending schools:

BetweenPublicSchools.PrivateSchools.Total.Out of12 and 13 years12,6503,16015,81017,46713"14"11,4002,84014,24017,21414"15"6,0802,0808,16016,66615"16"2,4001,2403,64016,084

It is evident that the falling off of 50 per cent. at the age of 14-15 years and of 75 per cent. at 15-16 years proves that the schools cannot and are not to be depended upon as the training ground of the nation’s boyhood beyond the age of 14-15 years; andthat at the very time when that training would be naturally expected, if continued, to reach the most satisfactory results, namely, from 15 to 18 years of age, the boys are removed from the schools, in natural compliance with the demands of the economic conditions of citizenship in the nation, and that unless some satisfactory means is devised to compulsorily compel those boys who have left school to continue to be trained up to the age of at least 19 years, the earliest age at which young men may be considered capable of undergoing the bodily fatigue necessary to give them sufficient knowledge of such drill as will ensure that confidence in the field so essential to success as a fighting unit, it would appear evident that the foundation previously laid by the attainment of the first and second requirements as a whole, and the third requirement in part, will remain a foundation only, and the superstructure thereon will not be completed.

It is on the above grounds that it is contested that the cadet system, as popularly understood, is not considered to be reliable as a solution to the fulfilment of the requirements laid down for the training of a citizen soldier.

It is now pointed out that it is reasonable to argue that:

1st. It may be considered equally undesirable to compel boys from 15 to 19 years of age as to compel young men from 18 to 23 years of age to be partially trained.2ndly. It will hardly be denied that the partial training of young men from 18 to 25 years of age in the field will give better results than the training of boys from 15 to 19 years of age, and on these premises it is urged that, to attain the fourth requirement, all young men from 18 to 25 should be partially trained, and thereby build on the foundation laid down by the attainment of the 1st and 2nd requirements and part of the third.

1st. It may be considered equally undesirable to compel boys from 15 to 19 years of age as to compel young men from 18 to 23 years of age to be partially trained.

2ndly. It will hardly be denied that the partial training of young men from 18 to 25 years of age in the field will give better results than the training of boys from 15 to 19 years of age, and on these premises it is urged that, to attain the fourth requirement, all young men from 18 to 25 should be partially trained, and thereby build on the foundation laid down by the attainment of the 1st and 2nd requirements and part of the third.

But, can some practical means be suggested which will maintain the boys’ interest in their work during the gap made by the period taken from the time that a boy leaves school and that when he reaches the age of 18, without interfering with the performance of those duties of his civil life for which he may be preparing himself?

The following suggestion is submitted, namely, the establishment in all centres of population of public gymnasia for the training in physical culture, and that rifle shooting by means of miniature ranges, and, further, the imposing upon those who employ lads up to 18 years of age, the obligation of enabling such lads toattend a course of instruction during each year at these gymnasia at such times as may be deemed advisable, provided such training is not made irksome to the lads themselves or detrimental to their employers’ interests or their own.

IIISCHEME PROPOSED

III

SCHEME PROPOSED

The scheme proposed therefore comprises:

1st. A general uniform system of mental and physical culture in all schools up to the time when the boy leaves school.2ndly. The scientific training necessary to develop a disciplined mind in all schools.The above to be under the direct supervision of the Education Departments.3rdly. The teaching of schoolboys to shoot straight under expert supervision.4thly. The establishment of public gymnasia for the training in physical culture and rifle shooting up to 18 years for lads who have left school.5thly. Universal annual partial training in drill, also the special encouragement of all manly sports without interference with their civil occupations.And finally, the formation of rifle clubs for all citizens between 25 and 60 years of age throughout the Commonwealth, with the fullest facilities for the encouragement of rifle shooting.

1st. A general uniform system of mental and physical culture in all schools up to the time when the boy leaves school.

2ndly. The scientific training necessary to develop a disciplined mind in all schools.

The above to be under the direct supervision of the Education Departments.

3rdly. The teaching of schoolboys to shoot straight under expert supervision.

4thly. The establishment of public gymnasia for the training in physical culture and rifle shooting up to 18 years for lads who have left school.

5thly. Universal annual partial training in drill, also the special encouragement of all manly sports without interference with their civil occupations.

And finally, the formation of rifle clubs for all citizens between 25 and 60 years of age throughout the Commonwealth, with the fullest facilities for the encouragement of rifle shooting.

This my scheme was adopted in its entirety. A study of the Act of Parliament instituting it will show that the whole of the provisions suggested above were fully met.

But to return to the consequences of the Press reports. I had called upon the editors to contradict the statements attributed to me as regarded the loafing on the cricket ground, but pointed out at the same time that I had fully meant what I had said with reference to the great waste of time and the failure on the part of thousands of young men to fit themselves for the defence of their country, owing to the absence of some form of legislation which would make it necessary for them to devote some of their time to the development of their physical and moral welfare.The Press, as a whole, fully acquitted me of any intentional desire to call those who had attended the Test Match loafers. They also assured me that they were in full agreement with my remarks otherwise, and with the end such remarks had in view, that they fully intended to start a campaign with a view of bringing about the necessary legislation for universal service on the lines suggested by me, and would not rest until that object was achieved. This they accomplished.

As is now well known, by an Act of Parliament in 1909 the principle of the universal liability for all males from 12 to 25 years of age to be trained for military service was made law for the first time in any English-speaking community, and I was more than satisfied that my personal views which I had held for so many years, ever since in South Australia, in 1895, I had prepared the first scheme for the approval of Charles Cameron Kingston, had actually become the law of the land.

Before leaving this subject I must give praise to those officers and citizens who, taking up the question at issue after the reading of my lecturette and the events which followed, formed the Defence League of Australia, and published a paper namedThe Call, which never once failed in unhesitatingly and most strenuously calling on Parliament, the citizens, and the Government of Australia to bring about the introduction of the Universal Service system. Its leading spirit was Colonel Gerald Campbell, of Moss Vale, a most energetic Volunteer officer.

An amusing incident occurred the night that I was entertained by some of my friends at the Union Club on taking up the command at Sydney. After dinner we played bridge. Mr. X, who had not been long married and had got into the habit of ’phoning home in the evenings that his business kept him in town, was asked to play at my table. His wife did not relish his rather constant absences and sternly refused to go to sleep until he returned home at night. This annoyed him much. Result,some arguments when he reached home. On the night in question we played till about 3A.M.“Surely,” thought Mr. X as he drove home, “the wife will be asleep to-night.” Very silently he entered his house, undressed, and opened the door of their bedroom. It was all lighted and his charming partner very much awake. Tableau!

“Now,” she said, “look at the clock—4A.M.I am full up. You can leave this room, please.”

“No, my dear,” he answered her; “to-night was not my fault at all. You see, we gave a dinner to our new Commandant, General Gordon, and then we played bridge. I was asked to play at his table. The old man [sic!] would not go to bed, so I had to stay. So you see, I could not help myself.”

“That will do,” she answered. “You have told me many tarradiddles before; now you want to make an ignorant fool of me. Well, I am not one. I do happen to know that General Gordon is dead! Go away.”

CHAPTER IVLORD KITCHENER’S VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

Shortly after the initiation of the Universal Service system, the Government was met with the difficulty of providing the necessarily increasing cost. On the estimates being framed for the ensuing year it was found that the expenditure was somewhat heavier than had been anticipated. The Government had followed my advice so far and were quite prepared to urge Parliament to find the money, but they considered it would be most desirable to get the highest military opinion procurable to support them in doing so. How was this to be done? There was only one solution. I advised the Commonwealth Government to approach the Imperial Government with a view to their sending an Imperial officer of highest standing to report, whose opinion, if favourable to the system as inaugurated, would be of the greatest possible value in backing their demands for sufficient funds to meet all its requirements.

Lord Kitchener was selected by the War Office, instructed to visit Australia, make a thorough inspection, inquire fully into the progress made with the initiation of the system, report whether it was sound in principle and practice, and, if it met with his approval, suggest such modifications as he considered advisable.

Lord Kitchener arrived at Port Darwin on December 21, 1910. Advantage was taken of his visit by the Commonwealth Government, not only to obtain his opinion as to the merits or otherwise of the Universal Service scheme, but also a report upon the efficiency and the standard of training existing at the time in the CommonwealthForces. I was at the time Commandant of New South Wales.

I arranged for a camp of continuous training for the whole of our States’ field forces, to be held at the Liverpool Area from January 5-12 inclusive, and for the Garrison troops at their respective war stations.

As it may interest soldiers to see the nature of the work carried out during the camp, I quote from the “general idea” of the exercises the programmes of two days’ work:

Thursday, 6th January, 1910.Field Force1st Light Horse Brigade(Manœuvre and Tactical Exercise)STAFFBrigadierColonel J. M. Onslow.Orderly OfficerCaptain E. W. R. Soane, V.D.Brigade-MajorCaptain J. M. Arnott.Instl. Staff Officer attachedCaptain R. C. Holman, D.S.O.Intelligence Officers{Captain T. H. Kelly.{Lieutenant Nordmann.UNITSUnitsCommanding Officers1st A.L.H. RegimentLieut.-Colonel C. F. Cox, C.B.2nd A.L.H. RegimentMajor A. J. O. Thompson.3rd A.L.H. RegimentLieut.-Colonel G. De. L. Ryrie.No. 3 Battery, A.F.A.Major C. F. Warren.No. 1 Field Troops, Corps of A.E.Captain E. V. T. Rowe.Half No. 2 Company A.C. of SignallersLieutenant E. G. Donkin.No. 1 Light Horse T. and S. ColumnMajor J. G. Tedder, V.D.No. 1 Light Horse Field AmbulanceMajor W. M. Helsham.UNITS ATTACHEDUnitsCommanding OfficerNo. 5 Squadron 1st A.L.H. Regt.}No. 5 Squadron 2nd A.L.H. Regt.}Captain C. D. FullerAMMUNITIONNo. 3 Battery, A.F.A.5 rounds per gun, shrapnel.10 rounds per gun, blank.Pom-pom Guns25 rounds per gun.Colt Machine Guns250 rounds per gun.Small-Arm Ammunition25 rounds per rifle.WORK BEING PERFORMED BY OTHER BRIGADES2nd L.H. Brigade—At disposal of Brigadier for Drill and Manœuvre.1st Infantry Brigade—Brigade Drill and instruction in Manœuvre under Brigadier.MANŒUVRE AND TACTICAL EXERCISE1st Light Horse BrigadeGeneral IdeaA Northern Force (Brown), consisting of one L.H. Brigade, covering the detrainment of Troops at PARRAMATTA, reach LIVERPOOL at 10P.M.on the night of the 5th January.A Southern Hostile Force (White) of all arms is reported to have occupied APPIN.Special Idea(Reference-map of Liverpool Manœuvre Area)During the night of 5th-6th January, the O.C. Brown L.H. Brigade received order to march at 9A.M.on the 6th January by the right bank of the GEORGE’S RIVER and reconnoitre towards APPIN.1ST PHASE1. Reconnaissance and Screening Duties by the Light Horse.2. Use of Artillery in checking the advance of hostile Infantry by long-range fire. (SeeMap No. 1—Target, Infantry advancing, marked 1.)Textbooks:--“Light Horse Manual,” '07, Sec. 299et seq.“F.S.R.,” Part 1, Chap. VI. and Chap. VII.“F.A.T.,” '08, Chap. VIII.2ND PHASEDevelopment of Attack1. The advance to within long-range rifle fire.2. The further advance to decisive fire positions.3. The struggle for fire supremacy.4. The assault.(Map No. 1 for 2, Infantry entrenched, Target marked II.; for 3, Infantry on ridge, Target marked III.)Textbooks:--“F.S.R.,” Part 1, Chap. VII.“Musketry Regs.,” '05, Sec. 110et seq.“F.A.T.,” '08, Chap. VIII.3RD PHASEThe Pursuit(Map No. 1, Infantry retreating. Target marked IV.)Textbooks:--“F.S.R.,” Part 1, Chap. VII.“F.A.T.,” '08, Chap. VIII.N.B.—Information as to the positions of the enemy (represented by targets) is to be gained by the patrols and scouts of the Brigade. No other information will be given.Friday, 7th January, 1910.Field Force1ST INFANTRY BRIGADESTAFFBrigadierColonel C. M. Ranclaud, V.D.Orderly OfficerCaptain A. C. Muhs.Brigade MajorMajor J. P. McGlinn.Instl. Staff Officers attached{Major F. B. Heritage.{Lieutenant W. J. Smith.Intelligence Officers{Lieutenant A. J. Gibson.{Lieutenant J. M. C. Corlette.{Lieutenant A. W. Jose.UNITSUnitsCommanding OfficersBrigade of Field Artillery—No. 1 Battery, A.F.A.}No. 2 Battery, A.F.A.}No. 5 (Howitzer) Battery, A.F.A.}Lieut.-Colonel R. M. S. Wells, V.D.No. 6 Squadron, 1st A.L.H. Regt.Lieutenant P. Connolly.No. 1 Field Company, Corps of A.E.Captain A. W. Warden.1st Battalion, 1st A.1 Regt.Lieut.-Colonel W. Holmes, D.S.O., V.D.1st Battalion, 2nd A.1 Regt.Lieut.-Colonel G. Ramaciotti, V.D.1st Battalion, 3rd A.1 Regt.Colonel C. S. Guest, V.D.1st Battalion, 4th A.1 Regt.Lieut.-Colonel J. Paton, V.D.Half No. 1 Company, A.C. of SignallersLieutenant J. E. Fraser.No. 1 Infantry T. and S. ColumnCaptain P. W. Smith.No. 1 Field AmbulanceLieut.-Colonel T. M. Martin.UNITS ATTACHEDUnitsCommanding OfficersNo. 1 Telegraph Company, C. of A.E.Lieutenant J. S. Fitzmaurice.Half No. 1 Company, A.C. of Signallers2nd Lieutenant G. K. Davenport.AMMUNITIONNos. 1 and 2 Batteries, A.F.A.5 rounds per gun, shrapnel.10 rounds, blank.No. 5 (Howitzer) Battery5 rounds common.10 rounds, blank.Machine Guns250 rounds.Small-Arm Ammunition25 rounds per rifle.WORK BEING PERFORMED BY OTHER BRIGADES1st L.H. Brigade—Regimental and Brigade Drill, Macquarie Fields.2nd L.H. Brigade—Brigade Tactical Exercises, Macquarie Fields.MANŒUVRE AND TACTICAL EXERCISE1st Infantry BrigadeGeneral Idea(Reference Map—1/2 in. Map, County of Cumberland)A force (Brown) consisting of one Infantry Brigade, covering the approaches to PARRAMATTA from the South, is camped at LIVERPOOL.A hostile force (White) of all arms is known to be at HELENSBURGH.During the night of the 6th-7th January, reliable information was received that the White force had advanced along the OLD ILLAWARRA ROAD, and was bivouacked at DARK’S FOREST.Special Idea(Reference Map.—Map of Liverpool Manœuvre Area)On the morning of the 7th January the O.C. Brown Brigade was informed by his patrols that the White Advanced Guard had occupied ECKERSLEY at 8A.M.On the receipt of this information the O.C. Brown Brigade decides to advance and attack the White force.1ST PHASE1. Reconnaissance and Screening Duties by the Light Horse.2. Use of Artillery in checking the advance of hostile Infantry by long-range fire.(Map No. 2—Infantry advancing, Target marked No. 1.)Textbooks:--“Light Horse Manual,” '07, Sec. 299et seq.“F.S.R.,” Part 1, Chap. VI and Chap. VII.“F.A.T.,” '08, Chap. VIII.2ND PHASEDevelopment of Attack1. The advance to within long-range rifle fire.2. The further advance to decisive fire positions.3. High-angle fire by Howitzers on enemy’s position—Targets marked III and IV.4. The struggle for fire supremacy.5. The assault.(Map No. 2 for 2, Infantry entrenched, Target marked II; for 4, Infantry on ridge, Target marked III. Enemy’s reserves behind hill marked IV.)Textbooks:--“F.S.R.,” Part 1, Chap. VII.“Musketry Regs.,” '05, Sec. 110et seq.“F.A.T.,” '08, Chap. VIII.“L.T.,” '05, Sec. 129et seq.3RD PHASEThe Pursuit(Map No. 2.—Infantry retreating—Target marked V.)Textbooks:--“F.S.R.,” Part 1, Chap. VII.“F.A.T.,” '08, Chap. VIII.“L.T.,” '05, Sec. 129et seq.N.B.—Information as to the positions of the enemy (represented by targets) is to be gained by the patrols and scouts of the Brigade. No other information will be given.

Thursday, 6th January, 1910.

Field Force1st Light Horse Brigade(Manœuvre and Tactical Exercise)STAFF

Field Force

1st Light Horse Brigade

(Manœuvre and Tactical Exercise)

STAFF

BrigadierColonel J. M. Onslow.Orderly OfficerCaptain E. W. R. Soane, V.D.Brigade-MajorCaptain J. M. Arnott.Instl. Staff Officer attachedCaptain R. C. Holman, D.S.O.Intelligence Officers{Captain T. H. Kelly.{Lieutenant Nordmann.

UNITS

UnitsCommanding Officers1st A.L.H. RegimentLieut.-Colonel C. F. Cox, C.B.2nd A.L.H. RegimentMajor A. J. O. Thompson.3rd A.L.H. RegimentLieut.-Colonel G. De. L. Ryrie.No. 3 Battery, A.F.A.Major C. F. Warren.No. 1 Field Troops, Corps of A.E.Captain E. V. T. Rowe.Half No. 2 Company A.C. of SignallersLieutenant E. G. Donkin.No. 1 Light Horse T. and S. ColumnMajor J. G. Tedder, V.D.No. 1 Light Horse Field AmbulanceMajor W. M. Helsham.

UNITS ATTACHED

UnitsCommanding OfficerNo. 5 Squadron 1st A.L.H. Regt.}No. 5 Squadron 2nd A.L.H. Regt.}Captain C. D. Fuller

AMMUNITION

No. 3 Battery, A.F.A.5 rounds per gun, shrapnel.10 rounds per gun, blank.Pom-pom Guns25 rounds per gun.Colt Machine Guns250 rounds per gun.Small-Arm Ammunition25 rounds per rifle.

WORK BEING PERFORMED BY OTHER BRIGADES

2nd L.H. Brigade—At disposal of Brigadier for Drill and Manœuvre.

1st Infantry Brigade—Brigade Drill and instruction in Manœuvre under Brigadier.

1st Light Horse BrigadeGeneral Idea

1st Light Horse Brigade

General Idea

A Northern Force (Brown), consisting of one L.H. Brigade, covering the detrainment of Troops at PARRAMATTA, reach LIVERPOOL at 10P.M.on the night of the 5th January.

A Southern Hostile Force (White) of all arms is reported to have occupied APPIN.

Special Idea(Reference-map of Liverpool Manœuvre Area)

Special Idea

(Reference-map of Liverpool Manœuvre Area)

During the night of 5th-6th January, the O.C. Brown L.H. Brigade received order to march at 9A.M.on the 6th January by the right bank of the GEORGE’S RIVER and reconnoitre towards APPIN.

1ST PHASE

1. Reconnaissance and Screening Duties by the Light Horse.

2. Use of Artillery in checking the advance of hostile Infantry by long-range fire. (SeeMap No. 1—Target, Infantry advancing, marked 1.)

2ND PHASEDevelopment of Attack

2ND PHASE

Development of Attack

1. The advance to within long-range rifle fire.

2. The further advance to decisive fire positions.

3. The struggle for fire supremacy.

4. The assault.

(Map No. 1 for 2, Infantry entrenched, Target marked II.; for 3, Infantry on ridge, Target marked III.)

3RD PHASEThe Pursuit

3RD PHASE

The Pursuit

(Map No. 1, Infantry retreating. Target marked IV.)

N.B.—Information as to the positions of the enemy (represented by targets) is to be gained by the patrols and scouts of the Brigade. No other information will be given.

Friday, 7th January, 1910.

Field Force1ST INFANTRY BRIGADESTAFF

Field Force

1ST INFANTRY BRIGADE

STAFF

BrigadierColonel C. M. Ranclaud, V.D.Orderly OfficerCaptain A. C. Muhs.Brigade MajorMajor J. P. McGlinn.Instl. Staff Officers attached{Major F. B. Heritage.{Lieutenant W. J. Smith.Intelligence Officers{Lieutenant A. J. Gibson.{Lieutenant J. M. C. Corlette.{Lieutenant A. W. Jose.

UNITS

UnitsCommanding OfficersBrigade of Field Artillery—No. 1 Battery, A.F.A.}No. 2 Battery, A.F.A.}No. 5 (Howitzer) Battery, A.F.A.}Lieut.-Colonel R. M. S. Wells, V.D.No. 6 Squadron, 1st A.L.H. Regt.Lieutenant P. Connolly.No. 1 Field Company, Corps of A.E.Captain A. W. Warden.1st Battalion, 1st A.1 Regt.Lieut.-Colonel W. Holmes, D.S.O., V.D.1st Battalion, 2nd A.1 Regt.Lieut.-Colonel G. Ramaciotti, V.D.1st Battalion, 3rd A.1 Regt.Colonel C. S. Guest, V.D.1st Battalion, 4th A.1 Regt.Lieut.-Colonel J. Paton, V.D.Half No. 1 Company, A.C. of SignallersLieutenant J. E. Fraser.No. 1 Infantry T. and S. ColumnCaptain P. W. Smith.No. 1 Field AmbulanceLieut.-Colonel T. M. Martin.

UNITS ATTACHED

UnitsCommanding OfficersNo. 1 Telegraph Company, C. of A.E.Lieutenant J. S. Fitzmaurice.Half No. 1 Company, A.C. of Signallers2nd Lieutenant G. K. Davenport.

AMMUNITION

Nos. 1 and 2 Batteries, A.F.A.5 rounds per gun, shrapnel.10 rounds, blank.No. 5 (Howitzer) Battery5 rounds common.10 rounds, blank.Machine Guns250 rounds.Small-Arm Ammunition25 rounds per rifle.

WORK BEING PERFORMED BY OTHER BRIGADES

1st L.H. Brigade—Regimental and Brigade Drill, Macquarie Fields.

2nd L.H. Brigade—Brigade Tactical Exercises, Macquarie Fields.

1st Infantry BrigadeGeneral Idea(Reference Map—1/2 in. Map, County of Cumberland)

1st Infantry Brigade

General Idea

(Reference Map—1/2 in. Map, County of Cumberland)

A force (Brown) consisting of one Infantry Brigade, covering the approaches to PARRAMATTA from the South, is camped at LIVERPOOL.

A hostile force (White) of all arms is known to be at HELENSBURGH.

During the night of the 6th-7th January, reliable information was received that the White force had advanced along the OLD ILLAWARRA ROAD, and was bivouacked at DARK’S FOREST.

Special Idea(Reference Map.—Map of Liverpool Manœuvre Area)

Special Idea

(Reference Map.—Map of Liverpool Manœuvre Area)

On the morning of the 7th January the O.C. Brown Brigade was informed by his patrols that the White Advanced Guard had occupied ECKERSLEY at 8A.M.

On the receipt of this information the O.C. Brown Brigade decides to advance and attack the White force.

1ST PHASE

1. Reconnaissance and Screening Duties by the Light Horse.

2. Use of Artillery in checking the advance of hostile Infantry by long-range fire.

(Map No. 2—Infantry advancing, Target marked No. 1.)

2ND PHASEDevelopment of Attack

2ND PHASE

Development of Attack

1. The advance to within long-range rifle fire.

2. The further advance to decisive fire positions.

3. High-angle fire by Howitzers on enemy’s position—Targets marked III and IV.

4. The struggle for fire supremacy.

5. The assault.

(Map No. 2 for 2, Infantry entrenched, Target marked II; for 4, Infantry on ridge, Target marked III. Enemy’s reserves behind hill marked IV.)

3RD PHASEThe Pursuit(Map No. 2.—Infantry retreating—Target marked V.)

3RD PHASE

The Pursuit

(Map No. 2.—Infantry retreating—Target marked V.)

N.B.—Information as to the positions of the enemy (represented by targets) is to be gained by the patrols and scouts of the Brigade. No other information will be given.

On the morning of January 5, 1910, Lord Kitchener and his staff arrived by train from Brisbane at Newcastle, New South Wales. Only the local garrison troops were in camp there, the local units of the Field Forces having proceeded to the general camp at Liverpool.

The question of the fixed defences at Newcastle was at the time causing considerable anxiety owing to disturbances in the ground due to the coal mines. The construction of a new fort had been decided upon and its positionselected. The whole day was spent in making a most careful examination of the harbour, the coast line and the existing forts. Lord Kitchener in his report approved of the site chosen.

He arrived at the Liverpool camp on the next morning, Thursday the 6th, at 7.15A.M.Early morning parades were being held by all corps. He watched some units at work and then went to the quarters prepared for him. After breakfast he at once began his inspection, and from that time until he left the camp, three days afterwards, there was practically not an idle moment.

When we were inspecting the camp lines Kitchener was rather interested in the incinerators I had ordered to be used for the first time. An old Irish ex-soldier employed as a camp policeman was asked by the general how they were working. “Fine, sir,” he said. “And what are they called?” “Well, sir,” said Pat, “I am not quite sure, but I think they call theminsinuators.” Kitchener had a hearty laugh.

On the Thursday evening I was ordered to arrange for a certain small portion of the troops to leave camp at two o’clock next morning under the command of an officer specially selected. Their destination was not divulged. The remainder of the troops under my command were to bivouac at a place called Signal Hill, some three miles from the camp, at 7A.M.next day and await instructions. These orders were carried out. Sharp at half-past seven Lord Kitchener and his staff rode up to Signal Hill. I was not aware of the whereabouts of the small force that had left the camp at 2A.M.

He sent for me and informed me that he had prepared me a task to be carried out at once. The idea was that an enemy’s convoy and escort—which was composed of the troops we had detached the night before—were marching along certain roads following up an enemy column. The position of the column of the enemy’s troops and convoy were roughly given. My business was to capturethe convoy with the troops at my disposal, and he wished me to at once give my orders to my commanding officers for carrying out my plans. The commanding officers were assembled without delay. My own mind was soon made up as to my plans. The orders were given, and within a quarter of an hour of the time when I had left Lord Kitchener my troops were on the move.

An amusing incident happened afterwards. One of my cavalry brigades had been ordered to cut off the convoy. It had done so and was moving rapidly to close in on it. I myself was riding with them; it was the last phase of the attack. Knowing that the manœuvre was over, for we had captured the convoy, and seeing Lord Kitchener and his staff not very far away, I rode up to him to report. With something of a smile on his face he said to me when I reached him, “Have you come to surrender yourself? Because, if not, I am going to make you a prisoner. I am here with your enemy, who has four guns at this point” (they were imaginary), “you must stay here with me.” So I was taken prisoner. He then asked me to explain to him the position of my troops at that moment. In doing so I told him that, on our right, along the crest of the hill on which the convoy was travelling, I had an infantry brigade. The edge of this hill, right along, was covered with fairly thick bush, some three to four feet high; I had ordered the infantry to creep right up, keeping under cover to within some sixty yards of the top of the ridge without showing themselves, lie down, and keep as quiet as possible until such time a certain whistle signal was given, when they were to rise and collar the convoy.

When I explained to Lord Kitchener that the infantry were quite handy, he said, “Well, I want to see them.” I gave the whistle signal agreed upon, and immediately, for a distance of some three-quarters of a mile along the ridge, on the flank of the convoy, up jumped a couple of thousand infantry. It was my opportunity now, so I ventured to tell him that, as the convoy and the four gunswere now in my hands, I took it that my troops had rescued me and that I was afraid he was my prisoner. He laughed and said, “Well, I’m going to order the ‘Cease fire’ to sound, which puts an end to the morning’s work, and then I am free.”

It was an inspiring morning, that morning, a fine day. Everyone was most keen and anxious in his work. All knew that Kitchener’s critical eye had been upon them all the morning. He had ridden from place to place watching their work. They had been on the march for some eight hours and were now assembled for the return to their camp, six miles off. He took up his stand on the side of the road and watched them as they marched past homewards. Practically every man at the time serving in the Field Forces in New South Wales was present. They came from every part of the State. The attendance reached the very high average of close on 97 per cent.

After his inspection of the Field Forces the garrison troops and the fortress defences had to be inspected. The garrison troops, the units detailed for the defence of the forts and harbour, were inspected on Saturday afternoon, having taken up their positions in accordance with the local scheme of defence. Afterwards visits to the forts occupied the time till late at night. Finally we embarked on board the submarine mine-layer, theMiner, to watch the working of the searchlights protecting the mine fields and navigable channels. Close on midnight the inspection was finished and we returned to Government House.

Before we reached the landing-stage Lord Kitchener asked me to get him a sheet of paper. I did so. He then said, “I wish you to publish this Order to-morrow.” Taking his pencil, he wrote as follows:

“To General Gordon. Be good enough to inform the officers, non-commissioned officers and men under your command of my appreciation of the keen interest and great zeal they have shown in carrying out their dutiesduring my lengthy inspection. They are doing well, and it has been a pleasure to me to have been present with them during their period of continuous training.“(Signed)Kitchener.”

“(Signed)Kitchener.”

This Order, I knew, of course, would be most acceptable to all concerned. Next day, just previous to their leaving for Melbourne, Captain Fitzgerald, his personal secretary and close friend—who later on, unfortunately, was drowned with him—told me that I should be proud to receive that Order, as he had never known “the Chief” to have issued one in a similar manner before. During his visit he reminded me of the conversation we had in South Africa when I asked Lord Roberts’s and his opinions on my scheme for the Universal Service. He heartily congratulated me on having achieved what then he thought my too ambitious hopes, and assured me he would support the movement heart and soul. This he did, as his report proved.

I think it only fair to the Government of that day to say that they did carry out the whole of his recommendations, and that every one of his suggestions was in force within three years after his visit.

Practically all men of any importance, politicians, business men, working men, one and all enthusiastically helped. A considerable improvement was noticed, not only in the general bearing of the trainees, but what was much more important, in their physical and moral development. The keenness of the lads themselves was proved by the extra time voluntarily devoted by them to receiving instruction to qualify as officers and non-commissioned officers, attending courses of lectures, special parades and rifle matches. The police authorities throughout the Commonwealth were asked to watch carefully and report as to whether, in their opinion, the system was influencing the character of the boys generally, and if so in what directions.

In 1914 reports were received from the police in all the States. They were unanimous in stating that, “in their opinion, the behaviour of the youths who were subjected to the training had vastly improved, and that the principal effects of a beneficial nature were increased self-respect, diminution of juvenile cigarette smoking, ‘larrikinism,’ and generally a tendency towards a sense of responsibility and a desire to become good citizens.”

Wherefore it is seen that the chief aims as laid down in my scheme have been fully realized, namely, to secure:—

(1). A sound mind in a sound body;(2). A disciplined mind;(3). Ability to shoot straight; and(4). Sufficient knowledge of drill to secure self-confidence in the field.

(1). A sound mind in a sound body;

(2). A disciplined mind;

(3). Ability to shoot straight; and

(4). Sufficient knowledge of drill to secure self-confidence in the field.

Some time after Lord Kitchener’s tour of inspection the first flying machine arrived in Sydney. It was sent out by the Bristol Company—a biplane of the most primitive kind, where the pilot sat on the front of the lower plane with his feet resting on a board, and the passenger squatted behind him with the engine racing at his back. There was, of course, considerable excitement in Sydney and much curiosity to see it in the air. We were holding a camp of instruction for the mounted troops at Liverpool, and the proprietors of the aeroplane suggested a flight from Sydney to the camp, some twenty miles, and asked permission to carry it out. I naturally agreed.

It was a perfect summer’s morning when, at about 7A.M., a small black spot was seen high up in the air; it was the flying machine rapidly approaching the camp at a height of some 3,000 feet. It landed safely on a spot previously selected, much to the delight of the men in camp, most of whom came from the country districts. The Governor-General, Lord Dudley, was in camp with us, and was anxious to be taken up, and I personally alsointended to arrange likewise. Something, however, intervened, with the result that the pilot left the camp before we returned to lunch after the morning’s work.

At the conclusion of the camp I returned to the barracks. The morning after I was going into breakfast when a messenger arrived from the manager of the Bristol Company with a letter inviting me to be the first to fly over Sydney, and asking me to go out to the Ascot Race Course at about eleven o’clock, where the machine was quartered. I drove out, and on my arrival I was told that the pilot was away but that the mechanic, a young Scotsman of about twenty years of age, who had a pilot’s certificate, was available if I wished to trust myself to him. I certainly felt rather doubtful on the point when I looked at the youth, especially as he had not been up in it himself since his arrival in Australia. However, I took courage, said, “Right you are,” and scrambled up behind him. The engines were started, she sped along the grass, and before I could realize it we were some 500 feet high up in the air, still rising and sailing over Botany Bay. As the manager had told Macdonald to go wherever I directed him, I decided to fly over Sydney and the harbour, so that I should pass over the barracks, the forts, Government House, the Post Office and the principal streets of Sydney and give the public a fair opportunity of watching us.

It was a lovely day; the machine behaved splendidly. Young Macdonald was as cool as a cucumber, and we returned and landed at the Ascot Race Course after two hours of a delightful experience. I regret to say that my youthful pilot was killed during the early days of the war; his machine dived into the Thames and he was drowned.

Some years later I selected the site for and established at Point Cook near Melbourne the first Flying School in Australia.

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