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 be uniform 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:
17,467 male children between the ages of 12 and 13
17,214 " " " " 13 " 14
16,666 " " " " 14 " 15
16,084 " " " " 15 " 16
Of the above number of male children the following were attending
schools:
Public Private
Between Schools. Schools. Total. Out of
12 and 13 years 12,650 3,160 15,810 17,467
13 " 14 " 11,400 2,840 14,240 17,214
14 " 15 " 6,080 2,080 8,160 16,666
15 " 16 " 2,400 1,240 3,640 16,084
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; and that 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.
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 to attend 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.
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.
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 named _The 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 3
A.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--4 A.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 IV
LORD 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 Commonwealth Forces. 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 FORCE
1ST LIGHT HORSE BRIGADE
(Manoeuvre and Tactical Exercise)
STAFF
_Brigadier_ Colonel J. M. Onslow.
_Orderly Officer_ Captain E. W. R. Soane, V.D.
_Brigade-Major_ Captain J. M. Arnott.
_Instl. Staff Officer attached_ Captain R. C. Holman, D.S.O.
_Intelligence Officers_ {Captain T. H. Kelly.
{Lieutenant Nordmann.
UNITS
Units Commanding Officers
_1st A.L.H. Regiment_ Lieut.-Colonel C. F. Cox, C.B.
_2nd A.L.H. Regiment_ Major A. J. O. Thompson.
_3rd A.L.H. Regiment_ Lieut.-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 Signallers_ Lieutenant E. G. Donkin.
_No. 1 Light Horse T. and S. Column_ Major J. G. Tedder, V.D.
_No. 1 Light Horse Field Ambulance_ Major W. M. Helsham.
UNITS ATTACHED
Units Commanding Officer
_No. 5 Squadron 1st A.L.H. Regt._} Captain C. D. Fuller
_No. 5 Squadron 2nd A.L.H. Regt._}
AMMUNITION
_No. 3 Battery, A.F.A._ 5 rounds per gun, shrapnel.
10 rounds per gun, blank.
_Pom-pom Guns_ 25 rounds per gun.
_Colt Machine Guns_ 250 rounds per gun.
_Small-Arm Ammunition_ 25 rounds per rifle.
WORK BEING PERFORMED BY OTHER BRIGADES
_2nd L.H. Brigade_--At disposal of Brigadier for Drill and
Manoeuvre.
_1st Infantry Brigade_--Brigade Drill and instruction in Manoeuvre
under Brigadier.
MANOEUVRE AND TACTICAL EXERCISE
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 10 P.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 Manoeuvre Area)
During the night of 5th-6th January, the O.C. Brown L.H. Brigade
received order to march at 9 A.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. (_See_ Map No. 1--Target, Infantry advancing,
marked 1.)
Textbooks:--
"Light Horse Manual," '07, Sec. 299 _et seq._
"F.S.R.," Part 1, Chap. VI. and Chap. VII.
"F.A.T.," '08, Chap. VIII.
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.)
Textbooks:--
"F.S.R.," Part 1, Chap. VII.
"Musketry Regs.," '05, Sec. 110 _et seq._
"F.A.T.," '08, Chap. VIII.
3RD PHASE
_The 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 FORCE
1ST INFANTRY BRIGADE
STAFF
_Brigadier_ Colonel C. M. Ranclaud, V.D.
_Orderly Officer_ Captain A. C. Muhs.
_Brigade Major_ Major J. P. McGlinn.
_Instl. Staff Officers attached_ {Major F. B. Heritage.
{Lieutenant W. J. Smith.
{Lieutenant A. J. Gibson.
_Intelligence Officers_ {Lieutenant J. M. C. Corlette.
{Lieutenant A. W. Jose.
UNITS
Units Commanding Officers
_Brigade of Field Artillery_--
_No. 1 Battery, A.F.A._ }
_No. 2 Battery, A.F.A._ } Lieut.-Colonel R. M. S. Wells, V.D.
_No. 5 (Howitzer) Battery, A.F.A._ }
_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 Signallers_ Lieutenant J. E. Fraser.
_No. 1 Infantry T. and S. Column_ Captain P. W. Smith.
_No. 1 Field Ambulance_ Lieut.-Colonel T. M. Martin.
UNITS ATTACHED
Units Commanding Officers
_No. 1 Telegraph Company, C. of A.E._ Lieutenant J. S. Fitzmaurice.
_Half No. 1 Company, A.C. of Signallers_ 2nd Lieutenant G. K. Davenport.
AMMUNITION
_Nos. 1 and 2 Batteries, A.F.A._ 5 rounds per gun, shrapnel.
10 rounds, blank.
_No. 5 (Howitzer) Battery_ 5 rounds common.
10 rounds, blank.
_Machine Guns_ 250 rounds.
_Small-Arm Ammunition_ 25 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.
MANOEUVRE AND TACTICAL EXERCISE
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 Manoeuvre 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 8 A.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.)
Textbooks:--
"Light Horse Manual," '07, Sec. 299 _et seq._
"F.S.R.," Part 1, Chap. VI and Chap. VII.
"F.A.T.," '08, Chap. VIII.
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.)
Textbooks:--
"F.S.R.," Part 1, Chap. VII.
"Musketry Regs.," '05, Sec. 110 _et seq._
"F.A.T.," '08, Chap. VIII.
"L.T.," '05, Sec. 129 _et seq._
3RD PHASE
_The 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. 129 _et 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.
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
position selected. 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 7.15 A.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 them
_insinuators_." 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 7 A.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 2 A.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 capture the 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 manoeuvre 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 guns were 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, the _Miner_, 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 duties during 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."
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.
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 7 A.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 also intended 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.
CHAPTER V
THE AMERICAN NAVAL VISIT
The next big event of importance after Lord Kitchener's tour of
inspection was the arrival of the American Fleet. Whether the visit of
this fleet, which comprised practically the full strength of the American
Navy, had any connexion with the visit of the Japanese Fleet which I have
already told you about, I do not know. Was it by way of a demonstration
in force in the waters of the Pacific in answer to the display made by
the Japanese? Had it a political aspect in other ways? Or was it purely a
pleasure trip, arranged by the American Government to give their naval
officers and men an extended tour for purposes of instruction and
pleasure? Who can tell? I cannot. But I can testify to the pleasurable
times they had during their lengthy stay at the several ports they
visited.
Sydney woke up again. The occasion had arrived to remember the great days
of the inauguration of the Commonwealth. Sydney wanted to decorate
herself again and to look her best, and she certainly succeeded. Though
somewhat different in detail, the decorations of the city and streets
were as gorgeous as those of 1901, on the inauguration of the
Commonwealth, and everyone was determined to give the Americans (and
incidentally himself) a real good time. It is doubtful if the foreshores
of the great harbour of Sydney will ever hold again so many thousands of
spectators as they did on that glorious morning when, at 11 A.M., the
leading warship of the American fleet entered the Heads, and, clearing
the inner point of the South Heads, made direct for the anchorage up the
harbour, followed by the remaining fifteen men-of-war.
Previous to the arrival of the fleet a question had arisen which had much
exercised the Government and civic authorities of Sydney. It was
understood that during the stay of the fleet in Sydney Harbour--about ten
days--there would be, daily, visiting the city anywhere from six to ten
thousand officers and men on liberty leave. The authorities thought that
it would be advisable to make some provision for military picquets and
extra police in case of disturbances, and they approached me with a view
to our supplying the wished-for military assistance. I pointed out that
there was positively no precedent for such action, especially in the case
of visiting guests. It was the privilege of the guests to look after the
behaviour of their own men and to land their own picquets if they
considered them necessary. At the same time I ventured to suggest that it
might be thought advisable to enrol a number of special constables--who,
of course, would be in plain clothes and unknown--to assist the police if
required. It is to the credit of the officers and men of the American
Fleet that during their stay in Sydney, though thousands landed daily and
many were allowed over-night leave, no disturbances of any kind occurred,
and to see any one of them the worse for drink was the exception.
Naturally, throughout the whole of the State of New South Wales, right to
the very backblocks, there was an earnest wish on the part of the members
of the New South Wales military forces to be in Sydney at the time of the
fleet's visit. So I had arranged to hold the annual camp of Continuous
Training at that period. The attendance in this camp almost beat the
record of the one we had held at the time of Lord Kitchener's visit.
As usual the public were very anxious for a review to be held, and the
matter was freely aired in the Press. The Government of New South Wales
was only too glad to meet their wishes, and requested me to make the
necessary arrangements. Here then was a repetition of what had occurred
in Melbourne at the time of the visit of the Japanese Fleet. The same
difficulty was in the way--that no troops of a foreign country were
permitted to land under arms on British soil. I pointed this out to the
Government, but drew their attention to the fact that a precedent had
been established in the case of the Japanese Fleet at the time of their
visit to Melbourne, and that an application to the Imperial Government to
permit the Americans to do so would doubtless receive a favourable
answer. The application was sent and approval given. I then put the
arrangements for the review in hand. I had an interview with the American
Commander-in-Chief, who informed me that he would land a contingent,
representing the fleet, of somewhere between six and seven thousand men.
Our own fleet was, of course, in Sydney Harbour at the time, and our
admiral told me that he would land somewhere over three thousand ratings.
My own troops mustered about some twelve thousand, with the typical and
favourite arm of the service in Australia, the Mounted Rifles, in full
strength.
The morning of the review arrived. Once again it was a glorious day. On
all occasions throughout my many years of command when "functions,"
reviews, or camps of training took place, "Queen's weather" had always
been my good fortune. The crowd that gathered at Centennial Park to
witness the review rivalled that which had witnessed the arrival of the
fleet. It was put down at some three hundred and fifty thousand people.
The actual number of troops on parade was over twenty-one thousand, of
which some four thousand were mounted troops. It was no easy task to
manoeuvre this number of troops on the restricted space at Centennial
Park, especially as I had arranged, much to the delight of the people,
for the mounted troops to gallop past the saluting point as a final _tour
de force_ before the last advance in review order. However, with the
assistance of an able staff and preliminary conferences with my
commanding officers, the review passed off without the slightest hitch.
Just as the presence of the Japanese sailors under arms at the review had
established a record in Melbourne, so did that of the Americans establish
one in Sydney, and, for the second time, I had the honour of commanding
armed forces of a Foreign Nation on parade on British soil.
One more incident of the review. There had been thousands of the
inhabitants of Sydney who were naturally unable to witness it but were
most anxious to see the foreign sailors. I had arranged with their naval
Commander-in-Chief that he should land at different landing-stages on the
several quays of the harbour. By this means residents in many parts of
Sydney would see them marching past their homes. The distances from these
landing-stages to Centennial Park were somewhat long, and as the review
was a rather trying one, occupying close upon four hours, I had arranged
to transport the whole of the Americans back from the review ground to
their different quays by tram, utilizing the tram system attached to the
Sydney Show Ground, which lies adjacent to Centennial Park, and, further,
to give them a good feed previous to boarding the trams on the return
home. My Quartermaster-General's Department quite surpassed themselves in
their efforts in this direction. They arranged for the units of the
American Fleet, on completion of the review, to march in succession
straight on to the Royal Agricultural Society's Grounds, and in doing so
to pass through some of the big buildings used for purposes of exhibits
at the show time. Long, narrow tables were set up in these buildings,
parallel to each other. On these tables, right down each side, were
placed packets containing each four healthy sandwiches, a large piece of
cake, an apple and an orange, a big bun and cheese. On passing through
the building the men of each company marched in two files, dividing on
each side of the table, and each man picked up his parcel and moved on to
the open Oval. As the tables were cleared they were immediately
replenished by a large staff of assistants, ready for the succeeding
companies. In this manner the six thousand Americans received their
rations within half an hour.
Once reaching the Oval and other open spaces of the society's grounds
each company was directed to what my Quartermaster-General called "a
fountain" (which meant that piled up around a small beer barrel were
plenty of bottles of all kinds of aerated waters), on reaching which each
company sat down around it, ate the contents of their packets and drank
to their hearts' content. The return journey to the ships was
accomplished without any accident, and a day never to be forgotten by
those who witnessed it was past and gone. The enthusiasm of the immense
crowd was raised to the highest pitch when squadron after squadron of
Light Horse galloped past the saluting point at fairly close intervals,
riding hard, as only Australians can ride, forty squadrons, some 100
strong each.
Previous to my leaving Sydney I held another great review at Centennial
Park. I had promised that I would give the parents and relations and
friends of the lads serving under the universal service system an
opportunity of seeing for themselves how well the youngsters were doing,
how keen they were, and also the state of efficiency that they had
reached. So I decided to hold a review of those from 16 to 18 years of
age serving in the Metropolitan area. The day of the review arrived. Over
twenty-two thousand lads were on parade. The Governor-General, Lord
Denman, took the salute. The crowd was certainly not so large as that
which was present at the time of the visit of the American Fleet, but
still it was enormous. At a certain stage of the review the order was
given for "Hats off. Three cheers for the King." The rule is on such
ceremonial occasions to take the time for the three cheers from the
general officer commanding the parade, who, riding in front of the line
of troops, faces the saluting point. The three cheers were duly given
when, to my surprise, I heard a shrill cry of "Tiger!" and, following it,
"One more cheer." I looked round just in time to see some thousands of
hats in the air. The lads provided this extra entertainment on their
own.
The way the boys marched, their soldierly bearing, their smart appearance
and their enthusiasm were the best answer that the Government, Parliament
and the people of Australia could have had as to the success of the
universal service system which they had brought into force. Many, indeed,
were the proud fathers and mothers on that day.
One last record. I had commanded the first review of trainees.
In 1912, on General Hoad's death, I was appointed Chief of the General
Staff and First Member of the Military Board, the highest position in the
military forces of the Commonwealth.
For the constant and willing co-operation of the Australian officers and
men who served under me with such zeal for so many years I give my
sincerest thanks. They have since proved themselves heroic soldiers in
the field.
To Gordon of Khartoum for his three golden rules of life; to General
Downes for the excellent example he gave of what an upright soldier
should be; and to Sergeant Charles Cameron Kingston for his appreciation
of my work and ever-ready assistance I owe the deepest debt of
gratitude.
CHAPTER VI
CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF
When General Hoad, my predecessor as Chief of the General Staff, fell
ill, the Government decided to grant him six months' leave of absence on
full pay, and his duties were to be carried out temporarily by Major
Wilson, R.F.A., _p.s.c._, who was the only qualified staff officer at the
time attached to the Headquarters Staff of the Commonwealth Forces.
During these six months Major Wilson had an exceedingly difficult task.
It is needless to say that all he was able to do was to carry on ordinary
routine work. There was practically no organization of the department of
the Chief of the Staff. As, on my taking on the duties, Major Wilson's
period of service as a loan officer expired and he was due to return
home, I found myself all alone in my glory. A word of acknowledgment is
due to Major Wilson for the able way in which he battled against the long
odds he had to face.
My first request to the Minister was for the recall of Captain White, a
local officer, who, having been sent home to the Staff College, had taken
high honours, was attached after completing his staff course to one of
the Directorates of the Army Council, and was earning for himself an
excellent reputation, which he has proved by his success in the war. He
is now Major-General Sir Brudnel White and Chief of the Staff himself of
the Australian Forces.
My second request was for the loan of another _p.s.c._ officer from home.
The Minister approved, and within a short time Captain White and Captain
Glasford joined me. Later on the Minister approved of two more _p.s.c._
officers from home on the understanding that each year two local officers
would be selected and sent to Camberley; by doing so we would in time
avoid the necessity of further borrowing.
A great task was before us. My colleagues on the Military Board were each
faced with somewhat similar difficulties, but by working together and
mutually assisting each other we managed to make good progress.
Perhaps our most serious problem was to consolidate the organization of
our universal service system. Each battalion area--and there were several
hundreds, required an officer and at least one sergeant-major as duly
qualified administrators and instructors; each brigade area wanted a
reliable staff. Our finances would not allow us to import them; we had to
train them locally. The establishment of local schools of instruction
achieved this object in due course with satisfactory results.
The next and all-important task was the preparation of sound general and
local schemes of defence for the whole of the Commonwealth--a
far-reaching problem. It not only required endless care and attention in
its conception and construction, but needed to be so thoroughly set out
as to be easily grasped by all concerned. With the assistance of Captain
White, whose special work this was, the schemes were completed, and I
satisfied myself of their efficacy and thoroughness some ten months
before war began. No better proof of this is necessary than the rapidity
and ease with which Australia mobilized on the receipt of the news of the
outbreak of war. I am proud to quote one fact. As an adjunct to the
general scheme of defence I had been most anxious that our Government
should offer the War Office the services of an Australian division
complete in personnel and materiel for service anywhere in the Empire or
out of it if required, and to be maintained while on service at full
strength at the expence of the Commonwealth for whatever length of time
it might be wanted. After several months of persistent effort the
Minister obtained the consent of the Cabinet. The offer was made and
accepted by the Home Government. All details of organization were worked
out. When war was declared the details for mobilizing the first division
were all cut and dried. Who could have guessed in those days that finally
Australia would contribute somewhere about half a million men to assist
the Mother Country?
In connexion with the preparation of the schemes of defence a most
intricate and perplexing question was the defence of the northern
littoral of the immense island continent. It would be out of place to
attempt to discuss the matter here. Suffice it to point out that I was
instructed to visit the northern littoral of Australia and submit a
report. Choosing the most suitable season of the year to make the tour, I
left Brisbane in the company of the then Government Resident of the
Northern Territory, Doctor Gilruth. The voyage along the coast of
Queensland, sailing within the Great Barrier Reef northwards to Torres
Straits, is one of the most interesting voyages in the world. After
leaving the Reef and clearing Cape York, you enter the Torres Straits and
make for a group of islands, the most important of which is Thursday
Island. It is the headquarters of the pearl fishing industry and an
Imperial coaling station for the Navy, protected by forts manned by
Australian artillery. The opportunity was given me during my tour to
witness the wonderful diving feats of the coloured crews. Pearl fishing
is a paying business, especially since the great advance in the price of
the mother-of-pearl shells, but one which demands much nautical skill and
the surmounting of many perils.
One of my duties was the selection of a site for the construction of the
highest power wireless station to be erected in the southern hemisphere.
An entertaining incident occurred in connexion therewith. Some thirty
miles inland from Port Darwin, in the neighbourhood of the railway line
to Pine Creek, lay an extensive lake, the waters of which were an
important adjunct to the requirements of the site. Accompanied by Doctor
Gilruth and other officials we proceeded to visit the locality. Leaving
the train we trekked through the bush to find the lake. By some means I
became detached from our guides and found myself alone with the
representative of our Naval Board. We were "bushed"--had no idea which
way to turn. I knew enough of bush life to remember that the best thing
to do when bushed is to remain quiet and not attempt to walk far, light a
fire and await the arrival of the rescue party. This we did, and when,
after waiting about an hour, our friends found us, we were actually only
about a quarter of a mile from the railway line and our train, where a
good luncheon was awaiting us. "Much ado about nothing."
On the return journey to Melbourne we visited New Guinea. What a
wonderful country! I would advise those who delight in good reading to
purchase Miss Grimshaw's books. Not only are they of overpowering
interest, but they are a living picture of the customs and habits of the
Papuan race.
On our arrival at Port Moresby, the seat of Government, Colonel Murray,
the High Commissioner, invited us to be his guests. Miss Grimshaw was at
the time Colonel Murray's guest also, and I had the pleasure of making
the acquaintance of the charming person whose intrepid and adventurous
nature had made us acquainted with the fascination of that hitherto
hardly-known island and its mysteries. Its orchids and butterflies alone
are sought for with the greatest zeal by the collectors of the world.
On my return to Melbourne I found that the inevitable was approaching.
Time, which has but little respect for persons, had moved on, and I was
close up to the age when the regulations demanded my retirement. On March
18, 1914, I would overtake my fifty-eighth birthday, and my active career
would close.
Our Government, however, had invited General Ian Hamilton, at the time
holding the appointment of Inspector-General of Oversea Forces, to make a
tour of inspection of the Commonwealth. As Hamilton was due to arrive in
February of that year I was requested to carry on till his tour was
completed, and it was arranged that I should retire on August 1, instead
of March 18, 1914. The general left in May. He was specially interested
in the success of the universal service, and his report was a highly
satisfactory one.
Nothing was left to me but to make my last visits of inspection to the
several States and satisfy myself that the schemes of defence were up to
date and in thorough working order. This I did, and was well pleased with
the results.
I booked my passage by the Orient steamer _Orama_, which was leaving
Fremantle on July 26, 1914. A fateful date for me. I had said my last
good-byes, and as the _Orama_ left port we heard of the declaration of
war by Austria against Serbia. Wireless messages reached us later of
Germany's declaration against Russia. Then we got no more news till we
were reaching Colombo, about August 6. The Great World War had commenced
on August 4.
By four days I had missed the opportunity of organizing and commanding
the division which, through my efforts, Australia had offered to the Home
Government a few months before. General Bridges, my successor, raised it
and led it to Gallipoli, where, unfortunately, he fell mortally wounded.
I have often thought his end would have been a fitting crown to my life's
work.
INDEX
Abruzzi, Duke of the, in Melbourne, 118, 119
Adelaide, author appointed Police Instructor at, 136;
author joins Police of, 134;
author's arrival at, 132;
cash betting introduced at, 173, 174;
development of, 152, 153;
early method of landing at, 160;
Hunt Club Races at, 169;
Largs Bay Company and, 160;
Military Staff Office at, 133, 143, 145;
Polo Club Cup race at, 172;
Polo team of, 162, 171-173;
_Protector_ at, 177;
Racing Club of, 173;
Russian Naval officers at, 179;
situation of, 154;
social scandal at, 183, 184;
sportsmen of, 166;
Theatre Royal at, 136
Adjutant-General, author's appointment as, 192, 193, 203
Aeroplane, first, at Sydney, 300, 301;
author's flight in, 301
Agents-General of the Colonies, and author's appointment
as Military Adviser, 224
"Albatross" ridden by author in Drag Cup race, 169
Aldgate, author captures murderer at railway camp at, 138-142
Alfonso XII at Royal Military College, Sandhurst, 42;
author and, 42-45;
entry into Barcelona of, 36;
offers amnesty to Carlists, 36, 44;
on Don Carlos, 43, 44;
proclaimed King of Spain, 35, 44;
result of accession of, 48
American Fleet at Sydney, 302 _et seq._
Ammunition, small arms, 228, 229, 230
Army Council, Australian, establishment of, 280
Arsenals, establishment of, in Australia, 276 _et seq._
Artillery Force of South Australia, author appointed
Lieutenant Commanding Permanent Unit of, 159;
Staff Instructor of, 142, 143;
work with, 151 _et seq._
Asmodeus, Prince, as King of Spain, 30
Auckland, author at, 105
"Auraria" and race for Melbourne Cup, 118, 119;
trainer of, 166
Australia, Gordons in, 2;
great strikes in, 209 _et seq._;
"Russian Scare" in, 179, 180;
South African War and, 232 _et seq._;
Universal Service System of, 214, 281 _et seq._, 290, 299, 300, 309;
withdrawal of British troops from, 156
Australian Contingent in South Africa, 242
Baker, Allen, wedding of, 168;
Master of Morialta Hounds, 168;
rides "Creamie" at Polo Club Cup race, 172, 173
Baker, Hon. John, 167, 168
Baker, Lieut.-Colonel, 224
Baker, Mrs. John, 168
Baker, Sir Richard, 168, 205;
and Charles C. Kingston, 205, 208
Balloon, at manoeuvres, 227, 228
Barcelona, entry of Alfonso XII into, 36
Barton, Sir Edmund, 263
Bath, Order of, author receives Companionship of, 263
Bayonne, author's journey from, 32
Beaumont College, 24 _et seq._
Belfast, author wounded in disturbance at, 74, 75, 76
Belfast (South Africa), Battle of, 251
Bellew, Mrs. Kyrle (Mdme. le Grand), 129
Berry, Mr. Graham, 111, 130, 131
Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, engagement at, 124
Bloemfontein, author at, 242;
meets Lord Roberts at, 239, 240, 243, 244
Bodega, 35
Boer War, 232 _et seq._
Botha, General Louis, 256
_Box and Cox_, Royal Artillery performance of, 63
Braddon, Sir Edward, 221
Brandfort, 245
_Bremen_, ss., 233
Bridges, General, 312
Brisbane, Lord Kintore in, 213
Brownrigg, Lieut.-Colonel, 175
Buller, General Sir Redvers, at manoeuvres, 225, 227;
superseded by Lord Roberts in South Africa, 233, 238
Bullfights at Jerez, 16;
at Puerto Santa Maria, 16;
at Wardhouse, 14
Burleigh, Bennet, 257
Burra-Burra, copper mines, 157, 213
"Bushveldt Carabiniers," 258
Buxton, Sir Thomas Fowell, 270
Cabrera, recantation of, 48
Cadet system in South Australia, 215
Cambridge, Duke of, presents prizes at Woolwich, 40
Cameron, Major Eustace, Kitchener as guest of, 253
Campbell, Colonel Gerald, 288
Campbell, Corporal, 135, 137
Campos, General Martinez, and King Alfonso, 35
Canada, troops from, in South Africa, 241, 242
"Cape Dwyer," accident with, 83;
death of, 84
Carlisle, Fort, Queenstown, experiences at, 82, 83, 84
Carlist Army, 35;
strength of, 36
Carlist officers, disguised, 33
Carlist War, 28, 30 _et seq._
Cash betting introduced at Adelaide, 173, 174
Castillo, Marquis del, decides against Alfonso, 36
Catholics, disabilities of, in Scotland, 11, 13
_Cerberus_, 177
Chartered Company of South Australia, 151, 152
Chief of the General Staff, appointment as, 307;
work of, 308 _et seq._
_Chingtu_, 213
Christchurch, 106
Clova, Mrs. Gordon's illness at, 218, 219
Coles, Sir Jenkin and Baker--Kingston dispute, 208
Commandant of South Australia, 208;
author's work as, 263, _et seq._
Commander-in-Chief of Commonwealth Forces, General Hutton as, 269;
importance of, 267, 268
Commonwealth of Australia, Army Council of, 280;
camp of Field Forces of, 291-295;
constitution of, 263;
defence scheme of, 309-310;
Government of, and Lord Kitchener, 290;
King Edward and, 273;
Military Board of, 280, 309;
Proclamation of, 266;
reorganization of Military Forces of, 275 _et seq._
Commonwealth Parliament, first elections for, 263;
opening of, 266
Connaught, Duke of, and Army manoeuvres, 225
Connell, Sergeant-Major, 156
Cork, author's experiences at, 81
"Corporal Buller," 237, 257, 258;
execution of, 258, 259
Cresswell, Captain William, 177
Dalley, Hon. John B., 188
_Damascus_, 218
De Wet, General, 256
Defence Force of South Australia, establishment of, 156;
General Downes' reorganization scheme for, 158;
reorganization of, 157
Defence League of Australia, 288
Deorwyn, Alice, 129, 130
Deorwyn, Constance, 129, 130
Derdepoort, curious incident at, 255
Disney, Colonel, 175
Doldrums, the, 88
Don Carlos, arrival in London of, 49;
author and, 46, 48, 49, 50;
author joins, 30, 31;
flees to France, 48;
in Paris, 51, 52, 53;
in the hunting field, 50;
reconciliation with Queen Isabella, 52;
rejects Alfonso's amnesty, 36;
story of claim to Spanish throne, 46, 47;
success of, 30
Downes, Major-General, appointed Secretary to Ministry of Defence,
Victoria, 176;
appointed to reorganize South Australian Defence Force, 157;
author and, 132, 142, 143, 186, 197, 198, 203, 204;
Commandant of Victoria, 270, 271;
leaves Adelaide, 208
Drill instructor, author appointed, in New Zealand, 91;
work as, 95
Dudley, Lord, and first aeroplane in Sydney, 300-301
Dunedin, 89, 106;
Fern Hill Club at, 91
Edgbaston, Oratory school at, 23
Education Department, South Australia, and cadet system, 214
Edward, King, and Commonwealth Forces, 273
Elder, Sir Thomas, 166, 167
Elder, Smith and Co., 167
English language, difficulties of, 22
Estella, as seat of Carlist government, 47;
author joins Carlists at, 35
Eugenie, Empress, and death of Prince Imperial, 41;
author meets, at Jerez, 41
Fellowes, Major, 175
Ferdinand VI, 46, 47
Fern Hill Club, 91
Filgate, Mr., 166
Finn, Major-General, Commandant of Queensland, 271, 280;
Inspector-General, Australia, 280
Fitzalan, Viscount, pupil of Oratory School, Edgbaston, 24
Fitzgerald, Captain, 299
Fitzgerald, Hon. Nicholas, 213
Fitzgerald, Miss, author marries, 213-214
Forrest, Sir John, 221;
author and, 269
Fort Glanville, 132, 142, 159, 160, 161, 165, 180, 181, 202, 210, 211
Fort Largs, 161, 164, 165;
insubordination at, 185, 186, 187;
Permanent Force Artillery at, 209
Fosberry, Mr., and Great Strike, 209
Francis, Colonel, Commandant of Western Australia, 271
French, General, 249;
in South Africa, 247, 248
French, Major-General, as Commandant, New South Wales, 270
Gate Pah, 91
Geelong, 124
Gilruth, Doctor, 310, 311
Glasford, Captain, 308
Glenelg, author's accident at, 180;
construction of fort at, 180;
excitement at, on arrival of Russian Fleet, 178;
landing of first settlers at, 152
Gordon, Adam, Dean of Caithness, 2
Gordon, Adam Lindsay, 2;
famous jump of, 94
Gordon, Admiral Sir James Alexander, 4
Gordon, Alexander, of Camdell, 3
Gordon, Alexander, of Wardhouse, 3;
guillotined at Brest, 4
Gordon, Brigadier-General, J. M. (author),
military appointments and promotions of, 147;
pedigree of, 7
Gordon, Carlos Pedro (author's father), becomes Laird of Wardhouse, 14, 19
Gordon, Charles, 3
Gordon, Charles Edward (of Wardhouse), 4, 11, 12;
death of, 13;
sends his eldest son to Spain, 13
Gordon, Colonel Fabian, 1
Gordon, General (of Khartoum), author and, 186, 187, 271;
death of, 203;
statue of, 203
Gordon, General Alexander, 2
Gordon, General Patrick, 1
Gordon, General Patrick, of Auchleuchries, 1, 3
Gordon, George, 2
Gordon, Gregory, 3
Gordon, James, of Beldorney, 3
Gordon, James Arthur (of Jerez), 3, 11;
goes to Spain, 12
Gordon, John, 1
Gordon, John, of Beldorney, 3
Gordon, John David (of Wardhouse), goes to Spain, 4, 13;
death of, 13
Gordon, Juan Jose, becomes Laird of Wardhouse, 13, 14
Gordon, Lord Adam, 4
Gordon, Mrs. Rafael, 2
Gordon, Pedro Carlos, 2, 13
Gordon, Robert, 2
Gordon, Robert (Cadiz), 3
Gordon-Coldwells, son, 1
Gordons of Coldwells, 1
Gorn, Captain, 87
Greencastle Fort, author at, 81, 82
Grierson, General, author and, 247, 250;
in South Africa, 246
Grimshaw, Miss, 311
Hamilton, General Ian, in South Africa, 247;
tour of Australia of, 312
Hamilton, Mr. George, 133, 134, 142
Harcourt, Lord, and Alexander Gordon, 3, 4
Harding-Stewart, General, 180, 202
Hawker, Lieutenant, 185
"High Commissioner of Ejectments," 257
Hill, John, 166
_Himalaya_, 220, 221
Hoad, General, Chief of General Staff of Australia, 280;
death of, 307
Holloway, Beatrice, 130
Homburgh, Mr., and Baker--Kingston dispute, 207
Hopetoun, Earl of, as Governor-General of Australia, 265 _et seq._;
as Governor of Victoria, 264
Hunt Club Races at Adelaide, 169
Hunt, Major, murder of, 258
Hunters, author's, in Adelaide, 165, 166
Huntly-Gordon, Marquises of, 2
Hutton, General, and Overseas Troops in South Africa, 242, 243, 247, 255;
author and, 268;
Commandant in New South Wales, 215, 268;
Commander-in-Chief of Commonwealth, 269, 272, 275;
leaves Australia, 280
Imperial Mounted Infantry in South Africa, 24
Invercargill (The Bluff), 107
Ireland, Miss Harry, 129
Ireland, Mr., 129
Ireland, service in, 62 _et seq._;
sport in, 77 _et seq._;
unruly times in, 71 _et seq._
Isabella, Queen, reconciliation of, with Don Carlos, 52
Japanese Fleet, visit to Melbourne of, 273, 274, 275, 302, 303, 304
Jerez, author's birthplace in, 18;
author christened at, 1;
author meets Empress Eugenie at, 41;
author revisits, 28;
bull-fighting at, 16;
cholera epidemic in, 18, 19;
description of, 14, 15, 16;
Gordons at, 3, 4;
schooldays at, 19
Jervois, Captain John, as Adjutant-General, 177;
author and, 132, 144
Jervois, Major, and "Russian Scare," 179, 180, 192;
author and, 182
Jervois, Sir William, 132, 144, 159, 176
Johnson, Lieut.-Colonel, in South Africa, 248
Jovellar, Commander-in-Chief of Spanish Army, and Alfonso, 35, 36
Jubilee Celebrations, author represents South Australia at, 218
Karree Siding, author wounded at, 252
Kati-kati Settlement, 105
Kelly, Ned, execution of, 122
Kennedy, Thomas, 22, 23
Khartoum, fall of, 203
King Country, the, 91, 98, 104
King-Harman, Lieut.-Colonel, 202;
death of, 220
Kingston, Charles Cameron, Premier of South Australia, 203, 204, 205, 231;
and Sir Richard Baker, 205, 208;
author and, 208, 220, 221, 232, 233, 235, 271;
death of, 272;
Federation and, 217, 271, 288;
"National Service" and, 216, 217
Kintore, Lord, 212, 213
Kipling, Rudyard, at Norval's Pont, 239
Kitchener, Lord, at Mount Temple, Capetown, 254, 255;
author and, 239, 240, 241, 243, 245, 253, 296, 297;
in Australia, 290 _et seq._;
in Tasmania, 253;
victory of, at Omdurman, 228
Kroonstad, Lord Roberts at, 246
Kruger, President, 256
"Land Boom," 201
Largs Bay Company and Port Adelaide, 160
Largs Bay Hotel, 161, 164, 214
"Larry O'Keefe" as hunter, 79;
author purchases, 78
Laserta, General, defeated by Carlists, 37, 48
Le Grand, Mdme. (Mrs. Kyrle Bellew), 129
Legge, Colonel, Commandant of Tasmania, 271
Light, Colonel, development of Adelaide and, 153-155
Lillywhite, John, author taught cricket by, 25
Limerick Hounds, meet of, on April 1, 80, 81
Limerick, hunting experiences at, 67, 68, 69;
stationed at, 63 _et seq._;
Sunday disturbances at, 72, 73
Line, crossing the, 88
Lithgow as site of arsenal, 280
London, author in, as Military Adviser of Australian
Colonies, 224 _et seq._
Loraine, Violet, 130
Lovett, Major, 199, 203
Lyne, Sir William, first Premier of Australian Commonwealth, 263
Macdonald, Leslie, 166, 169
Madrid, mutiny in artillery barracks at, 44
Maori settlement in the King Country, 91
Maori War, Australian troops in, 188
Maoris as swimmers, 100;
ceremonials of, 100 _et seq._;
New Zealand Government and, 98, 99;
raid roadmakers, 95, 104;
war dance of, 103
_Massilia_, 203
Melbourne, author at, 109 _et seq._, 120 _et seq._;
author's newspaper in, 112-118;
Bijou Theatre, 124;
charity ball at, 176;
Duke and Duchess of York at, 266;
Inter-Colonial Convention at, 220;
Japanese Fleet at, 273, 274, 275, 302, 303, 304;
Kingston at, 221;
review of Commonwealth Forces at, 273, 274;
White Hart Hotel at, 109, 125
Melbourne Cup, 113 _et seq._;
of 1913, 213
Mercedes, Princess, 39
Mercer, Catherine, wife of Charles Edward Gordon, 4
"Mick Molloy," author purchases, 69, 70, 78;
death of, 79, 80
Middle Head Fort, Sydney, 202
Milford Sounds, 89
Military Adviser and Inspector of Warlike Stores for Australia,
author's appointment as, 223;
work in London as, 223, 224 _et seq._
Military Board, Australian, author appointed First Member of, 307;
establishment of, 277;
problems of, 309
Military Staff Office, Adelaide, 133, 143, 145
"Ministry of all the Talents," 264
Mirasol, Count of, tutor to Alfonso XII, 42, 45;
death of, 44, 45
Molloy, Mick, 67, 70
Montijo, Countess of, 41
Moonta, copper mines of, 157
Moore, Maggie (Mrs. J. C. Williamson), 130
Morant, Jack ("The Breaker"), 237
Morant, Lieut.-Colonel ("Corporal Buller"), 257, 258;
execution of, 258, 259
_Moravian_, 251
Morialta, kennels at, 168
Morphetville, stud farm at, 166, 167
Morriones, General, and Alfonso, 36, 37
Mount Cook, 89, 108
Mount Gambia, Blue Lake at, 93
Mount Lofty, 136;
Adelaide from, 154;
Hon. John Baker's home at, 167, 168;
railway construction camp at, 138-142
Mount Nelson, Capetown, wartime reminiscences of, 254, 255
Murray, Colonel, High Commissioner, New Guinea, 311
National Rifle Meeting, 230
"National Service" Scheme, author's, 216 _et seq._;
Kingston and, 216-217
New Guinea, visit to, 311
New South Wales, author appointed Commandant of, 280, 281 _et seq._;
Naval Defence Scheme of, 177;
troops for Egypt from, 188, 189;
volunteers for Maori War, 188
New South Wales Defence Scheme, 187;
guns for, 202
New South Wales Lancers sent to South Africa, 232;
squadron of, in England, 232
New Zealand, 87 _et seq._;
force in South Africa, 241, 242;
system of land settlement, 91, 92;
withdrawal of British troops from, 156
New Zealand Government and Maoris, 98, 99
Newcastle (N.S.W.), defences of, 295, 296
Newcastle-on-Tyne, 219
Newman, Dr. (afterwards Cardinal), headmaster at Edgbaston
Oratory School, 23
Northern Territory and South Australia, 152, 213;
defence of, 310
Norton Summit, 167, 168
Norval's Pont, destruction of bridge at, 239;
Lord Kitchener at, 239;
Rudyard Kipling at, 239
Ohinemutu, 105;
eruptions at, 91, 93, 94, 104;
Maori settlement, 91
Oliver, Maggie, 129
Omdurman, Kitchener's victory at, 228
_Ophir_, Duke and Duchess of York's voyage on, 266, 267
_Orama_, 312
Oratory School, Edgbaston, 23;
Cardinal Newman, headmaster at, 23;
head prefect of, 23, 24
_Orlando_, 265
Overseas Brigade in South Africa, command of, 242, 244
Owen, Lieut.-Colonel, J. F. (General), 177;
arrival at Adelaide, 182;
at Malta, 197;
author and, 193, 195, 196;
Commandant of Queensland, 197;
economies and, 192;
Hon. T. Playford and, 194, 195, 196
Paardeberg, Battle of, 238
Palotta, Grace, 219
Pamplona, author with Carlist troops at, 37
Paris, Artists' Ball at Grand Hotel in, 54, 55;
author and Don Carlos in, 51, 52, 53;
love affair in, 53-61
Parrott, Lieut.-Colonel, 236
Peterswald, Mr., 142, 143, 145;
and strikers, 210
Phillips, Hans, 129
Playford, Hon. Thomas ("Honest Tom"), 194, 195;
and General Owen, 194-197;
and strikers, 210, 211;
author and, 197, 276, 280;
Commonwealth Minister of Defence, 278, 279
Point Cook, first aviation school at, 128, 301
Police, South Australian, author appointed instructor in, 136;
author joins, 134
Polo at Adelaide, 162, 163, 171, 173
Ponce de Leon, Pepe, 46, 51, 52
Port Adelaide, arrival of Russian Fleet at, 178;
building of, 160;
forts at, 160, 161;
strikes at, 209, 210, 211
Port Augusta, 157
Port Chalmers, 87, 89, 90
Port Darwin, 157
Powell, Captain, 156
Power, Tom, 166
Pretoria, author at, 256, 257;
Lady Roberts at, 256;
plot to kidnap Lord Roberts at, 255-256
Prim, General, assassination of, 30
Primo de Rivera and King Alfonso, 35
Prince Imperial (France) at Woolwich, 40, 42;
death and funeral of, 41
_Protector_, 177, 189, 190
Puerto Santa Maria, school at, 19;
bull-fight at, 16;
robbed at, 16, 17
Queensland, General Owen as Commandant of, 197;
strikes in, 212
Queenstown, 81
Ralli, Stephen ("Bismarck"), 252
Reader, Colonel, 90, 91, 105, 106, 107
Reeve, Mr. Wybert, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128
Reid, Sir George, 222
Re-organization Bill of South Australia, 217
Retirement of author, 312
Rhodes, Captain Ernest, 175
Ricardo, Colonel, as "High Commissioner of Ejectments," 257
Richardson, Major-General, and Victorian Defence Scheme, 187, 188
Ridley, General, 242, 244
Roberts, Lady, at Pretoria, 256
Roberts, Lord, at Kroonstad, 246;
author with, in South Africa, 238 _et seq._, 245;
plot to kidnap, at Pretoria, 255, 256;
supersedes Buller in South Africa, 233, 238
Robinson, Sir William, 176
Roller skating, author introduces in Dublin, 77;
in Limerick, Cork and Waterford, 78
Rome supports Don Carlos, 30
_Rotomahana_, 106
Rotorua district, 91, 93
Royal Artillery at Limerick, 66, 67;
author gazetted to, 40, 41;
Headquarters' Mess at Woolwich, 62
Russia, Gordons in, 1, 2
Russian Fleet, arrival at Adelaide, 178
"Russian Scare," the, in Australia, 179, 192
Ryan, Sergeant-Major, 156
Sagasta and Alfonso, 35
St. John Ambrose, Father, head prefect of Edgbaston Oratory School, 23, 24
Salisbury Plain, manoeuvres on, 225-228
Sandhurst, Alfonso XII at, 42
Sargood, Sir Frederick, appointed Minister of Defence,
Victoria, 175, 187, 197, 204
Saville, Mr., 166
Scotland, author's first journey to, 20-22;
Catholic disabilities in, 11, 13
Scratchley, General Sir Peter, author and, 111, 131, 159
Seth Ferry, 166
Shearers, strike of, 211, 212
Simmons, General Sir Linton, author and, 31, 39
Smith, Mr. Barr, 166, 167;
South African War and, 235
Smith, Mrs. Barr, 185
Smith, Sir Charles Holled, 270
Soudan Campaign, Australian troops in, 188, 189
South Africa, author in, as Special Service Officer, 232 _et seq._
South African War, Australia and, 232 _et seq._
South Australia, author and police of, 134-145;
author appointed Commandant of, 118, 143, 208, 209, 263;
author appointed Staff Instructor to Artillery Force of, 142, 143;
author as Acting-Commandant in, 198, 207;
author's work as Staff Instructor in, 151 _et seq._;
Cadet System in, 215;
Defence System of, 155, 159;
development of, 151, 152, 157;
guns for, 202;
Re-organization Bill of, 217;
Volunteer Force, establishment of, 156
Spain, Alfonso proclaimed king, 35, 44;
elections in, 16, 17;
Republican Government of, 30;
Wardhouse Gordons and, 3, 12, 13
Staff Instructor of Artillery, author's work as,
in South Australia, 151 _et seq._
Stewart Island, 89
Stewart, Nellie, as "Sweet Nell," 130
Stewart Sisters, the, 130
Stuart, Colonel, 231
Sulphur at White Island, 94
Sulphur Islands, 94
_Surrey_ takes Australian troops to South Africa, 236, 238, 258
Swinley, Major, 105, 106
Sydney, American Fleet at, 302 _et seq._;
Australian Defence Conference at, 215;
first aeroplane at, 300;
great maritime strike in, 209 _et seq._;
Great Review at, 304;
Imperial Naval Base, 177;
Union Club, author at, 288, 289;
welcome to Lord Hopetoun at, 264
Talbot, Edmund, in South Africa, 249
Tasmania, author offered post in, 105;
Kitchener in, 253
Tauranga, author's life at, 104;
author meets old friend at, 95, 96;
author stationed at, 91, 92;
compensation court at, 98, 99
Taylor, Alderman Allan, 281
Terraces, The, eruptions at, 91;
(Ohinemutu), 94, 104
Thames goldfield, 92, 105
Theatre Royal, Adelaide, 136
"The Breaker" (Jack Morant), 237
_The Call_, 288
_The Jacobite_, 185, 186
_The School for Scandal_, author engaged as Careless in, 125, 126
_The Woman in White_, 124, 126
Thompson, Joe, 168
Torrens Park, 167;
private theatricals at, 185, 186
_Turf Tissue_, 113-118
_Turn Him Out_, author takes leading part in, 130
Union Club, Sydney, 288, 289
Universal Service system of Australia, 214, 282;
author and Melbourne Press and, 281, 287, 288;
author's scheme for, 283-287;
consolidation of, 309;
General Ian Hamilton on, 312;
increased cost of, 290;
introduction of, 215;
Lord Kitchener and, 290 _et seq._;
police report on effect of, 299, 300
Vaal River, crossing of, 250
_Valetta_, 200, 201
_Victoria_, 223
Victoria, author as commandant of, 271, 273 _et seq._;
defence scheme for, 175, 187;
goldfields of, 213;
naval units of, 177;
volunteers for Maori War from, 188
_Waipa_, author's voyage to New Zealand on, 87, 165, 200
Wairoa River, 104
Walker, General Forestier, 238, 241
Wallaroo, copper mines of, 157
Wallington, Captain (Sir Edward), as private secretary
to Lord Hopetoun, 270
Ward, Colonel, in South Africa, 247, 248, 249
Wardhouse, author at, 201;
Gordons of, 2, 3, 4
Weld, Sir Frederick, 105, 106, 111, 112
Wellington, 90;
author at, 106
Werribee House, 128
Western Australia, and permanent artillery force, 209
Wharfmen's union, strike of, 209-211
White, Captain, 308, 309
White Island, 93, 94, 95;
sulphur at, 94
Williams, Major, 156
Wilson, Major, 308
Wireless station, selecting site for, 310, 311
Wolseley, Lord, and army manoeuvres, 227;
and New South Wales troops, 191
Woodcock Hill, Limerick, robbery at chapel at, 71, 72
Woodford, Colonel John, and wife of Laird of Wardhouse, 4
Woolwich Academy, author at, 30, 31;
author coached for, 27;
author leaves, 40;
author's return to, from Spain, 37, 38;
author successful candidate for, 28, 29;
Prince Imperial at, 40, 42
Woolwich, author joins Royal Artillery at, 42;
Garrison Theatre, author in performances at, 63;
R.A. headquarters mess at, 62
York, Duke and Duchess of, at Adelaide, 267;
at Melbourne, 266;
at opening of Commonwealth Parliament, 266;
author and, 267
* * * * *
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