By Harold J. Karpin
MELBOURNE–Recently the Victorian Association of Jewish Ex Servicemen and Women (VAJEX) organized a yahrtzeit grave side memorial service for Sgt Issy Smith, VC.
Last Sunday, 10th October we payed tribute to an outstanding Jewish man and the highest ranking Australian Army commander; General Sir John Monash, by paying tribute at his graveside for his yahrtzeit service.
Apart from significant dignitaries, the service was attended by two other generals, Major General Jeffrey V Rosenfeld, CStJ VAJEX Patron and Major General MAJGEN David J McLachlan AO (Retd) R&SL State President
Some of those attending made mention that the smallish crowd was befitting the modest nature of Monash the man. It is hard to accept that at this same cometary 60,000 people mourned at General Monash’s graveside. It is unfortunate that many of the younger brigade seem to be distracted from honouring a man of whom they can and should be proud
The question is asked, ‘Is there a scale against which greatness can be measured?’ The answer is, ‘Perhaps not, as it is such a subjective opinion.’ However, against any scale, be it greatness, brilliance or the fact that he was outstanding in just about all of his endeavors General Sir John Monash is to be most highly regarded. .
John Monash (Monasch) born in Melbourne, Australia on 27 June 1865, the son of German Polish Jewish migrants can be researched in any military history encyclopedia, or in fact by just googling his name on the internet. His history and list of achievements are long and far too many to detail in this brief summary. However, might I say that reading his history is well worth the effort and I can assure you that his deeds will amaze you. I have found that they, the deeds, are better labeled on more than one man and in more than one lifetime.
Monash had many careers, and it could be said that he was outstanding in all that he chose. He was a scholar; he passed the matriculation examination when only 14 years of age, at 16 he was dux of Scotch College, Melbourne. He went on and graduated from the University of Melbourne, BA in 1887, Master of Science in Civil Engineering in 1893, Law in 1895 and Doctor of Engineering in 1921. He practiced law and became a highly regarded engineer. It is to his credit that a number of Melbourne’s major bridges bear his name. After joining the Melbourne University Squadron in 1906 it would appear that his choice of a military career was to become his main and most important He was a noted academic, returning to his ‘alma mater’, Melbourne University, as Vice Chancellor. He was also known in both public and private practice as an outstanding administrator, the most notable being head of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV).
Fate and talent was to decree that his rise up the commissioned ranks was to be stellar. He, with his brilliant ability for planning and his adjutant General Blamey’s brilliance in strategy, changed the course of warfare It is said that the mere fact that as he was a commander of so many decisive battles that thousands of troops under his command were saved from being used as ‘gun fodder’. They, together, realized the benefit of providing their troops with armored coverage, rather than the strategy of in line and waves of troop advancement against enemy fire.
It is a little known fact that that General Monash was to become the only Australian to command American Forces. Yet another amazing fact is in August 1918 he was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath on the battlefield by King George V. The first time a British monarch had honored a commander in such a way in 200 years. By the end of the war Monash had acquired an outstanding reputation for intellect, personal magnetism, management and ingenuity. He also won the respect and loyalty of his troops:
Sir John Monash died in Melbourne on 8 October 1931 and was given a state funeral. An estimated 250,000 mourners, the nation’s largest funeral crowd to that time, came to pay their respects. The City of Monash, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Freeway, Monash University and the John Monash Science School all bear witness to the high regard in which he is remembered and or the greatness of the man.
In a final sign of humility, despite his achievements, honours and titles, he instructed that his tombstone simply bear the words “John Monash”. He is buried in Melbourne’s Brighton General Cemetery.
I think it can safely be said that General Sir John Monash, GOC was a great Australian.
May his dear soul rest in peace. Lest we forget
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Karpin is a member of the Victorian Association of Jewish Ex Servicemen and Women