| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/12508.001 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Award |
| Physical description | Enamel, Silver gilt |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Western Front 1918: General Monash |
| Maker |
Garrard & Co Ltd |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | 1919 |
| Conflict |
Period 1910-1919 Period 1930-1939 First World War, 1914-1918 Australian Colonial Forces, 1854-1900 |
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George : Lieutenant General Sir John Monash
Description
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George. Includes collar chain, neck badge, breast star.
History / Summary
John Monash was born in Melbourne on 27 June 1865. He was dux of Scotch College and studied arts and engineering at Melbourne University, where he was also involved in debating and student politics. Outside of university he dabbled in acting. In 1884 he joined the university company of the 4th Battalion, Victorian Rifles.
Monash finished his studies in 1895 and, having decided to combine engineering with a military career, was promoted to captain in the Garrison Artillery that year. In 1897 Monash was promoted to major in the North Melbourne Battery and served there for 11 years.
Monash was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Australian Intelligence Corps in 1908. In 1913 he took command of the 13th Infantry Brigade.
After the outbreak of war, Monash took command of the AIF's 4th Infantry Brigade, landing at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915. In July he was promoted to brigadier. Monash took his brigade to France in June 1916. He became a major general in July and took command of the 3rd Division. The division's first major battle, Messines, was hailed as a great success. Further success followed and in May 1918, Monash was promoted to lieutenant general and given command of the Australian Corps. His first battle in this role, Hamel, came to be considered the 'perfect battle'. Monash remained in command through the victorious battles in the last months of the war.
In London in January 1919, while he was overseeing the repatriation of the AIF troops, he was created Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George. After spending eight months in London overseeing the repatriation of the AIF, Monash was welcomed home in Melbourne by an enthusiastic public on Boxing Day 1919. He returned to business and in 1920 became manager of Victoria's State Electricity Commission. An advocate for returned soldiers, Monash also held a range of high-level positions. His opinions were widely sought and he became a leading figure in Melbourne's Jewish community.
Monash died of heart disease in Melbourne on 8 October 1931 and was given a state funeral attended by some 250,000 mourners.
- Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath : Lieutenant General Sir John Monash
- Grand Officer of the French Legion d'Honneur breast star : Lieutenant General Sir John Monash, AIF
- Breast star of a Grand Officer of the Belgian Order of La Couronne (the Crown) : Lieutenant General Sir John Monash, AIF
- 1914-15 Star : Colonel J Monash, 4 Infantry Brigade, AIF
- British War Medal 1914-20 : Lieutenant General Sir J Monash, AIF
- Victory Medal : Lieutenant General Sir J Monash, AIF
- Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officer's Decoration : Major J Monash
- French Legion D'Honneur : Lieutenant General Sir John Monash, AIF
- French Croix De Guerre : Lieutenant General Sir John Monash, AIF
- Belgian Croix De Guerre : Lieutenant General Sir John Monash, AIF
- United States Distinguished Service Medal : Lieutenant General Sir J Monash, AIF
- Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal : Major J Monash, Australian Garrison Artillery
- Cap badge : Lieutenant Colonel J Monash, Australian Intelligence Corps (militia)
- Scotch College Diamond Jubilee medal : Colonel John Monash
- Signet ring : Lieutenant General Sir J Monash, AIF