John Monash

John Monash was an Australian civil engineer and military commander of the First World War. He commanded the 13th Infantry Brigade before the war and then, shortly after its outbreak, became commander of the 4th Brigade in Egypt, with whom he took part in the Gallipoli campaign. In July 1916 he took charge of the newly raised 3rd Division in northwestern France and in May 1918 became commander of the Australian Corps, at the time the largest corps on the Western Front. Monash is considered one of the best Allied generals of the First World War and the most famous commander in Australian history. Monash was born in West Melbourne on 27 June 1865 to German-Polish Jewish parents. He attended St Stephen's School in Richmond, Scotch College and the University of Melbourne, where he studied arts, engineering and law. He graduated with a master's degree in engineering in 1893 and a doctorate in civil law in 1921. He worked as a civil engineer for various contractors and projects, including railways, bridges and buildings. He also became a patent attorney and a lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Monash joined the militia in 1884 and rose through the ranks to become a colonel by 1913. He had a keen interest in military history and strategy, as well as engineering and intelligence. He volunteered for overseas service when the First World War broke out in 1914 and was appointed to command the 4th Brigade of the Australian Imperial Force. He landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and fought in several battles there, including Lone Pine, Sari Bair and Hill 60. He was wounded twice and mentioned in despatches five times. In December 1915, Monash and his brigade were evacuated from Gallipoli and sent to Egypt, where they joined the newly formed Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). In June 1916, Monash was promoted to major general and given command of the 3rd Division, which he trained and led to France in November. He fought on the Western Front for the next two years, participating in major battles such as Messines, Broodseinde, Passchendaele, Hamel and Amiens. He was known for his meticulous planning, innovative tactics, use of artillery and tanks, and care for his men. In May 1918, Monash was appointed to command the Australian Corps, which consisted of five divisions and about 200,000 men. He led them in some of the most decisive actions of the war, such as the Battle of Le Hamel on 4 July, which was a model of combined arms warfare and a precursor to the Hundred Days Offensive. He also played a key role in the Battle of Amiens on 8 August, which was described by the German general Erich Ludendorff as "the black day of the German Army". Monash's corps continued to advance until the end of the war on 11 November 1918, capturing more than 48,000 prisoners and liberating more than 116 towns and villages. Monash was widely praised for his achievements as a military leader. He was knighted by King George V on the battlefield on 12 August 1918, becoming the first Australian-born person to receive this honour. He also received numerous decorations from Britain, France, Belgium and the United States. He was hailed as "the most resourceful general of World War I" by British prime minister David Lloyd George and "the best general on the western front in Europe" by American general John J. Pershing. After the war, Monash returned to Australia in December 1919 and was given a hero's welcome. He resumed his civilian career as an engineer and became the general manager of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in 1920. He was also involved in various public and community activities, such as the repatriation of war veterans, the establishment of the Shrine of Remembrance, the promotion of education and culture, and the support of Jewish causes. He was appointed vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne in 1923 and held this position until his death. Monash died of heart disease in Melbourne on 8 October 1931, aged 66. He was given a state funeral attended by over 250,000 mourners. He was buried at Brighton General Cemetery with full military honours. He is widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest citizens and a national icon. His legacy lives on in many monuments and places named after him, such as Monash University, Monash Freeway, Monash Medical Centre, Monash City Council and several suburbs and streets across Australia.