French Croix de Guerre with Palm awarded to Lieutenant General Sir J Monash : Miss E Bentwitch

French Croix de Guerre with Palm. A bronze cross pattee with crossed swords between the arms. The obverse medallion in the centre has the head of 'La Republique' facing right and 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE' over laurel branches within the surrounding circle. The reverse medallion has the dates '1914' over '1918'. The suspender is a loose ring attached to a ball mount. The 37mm green ribbon has five equally spaced 1.5mm red stripes and .5mm red edges. A bronze palm is attached to the ribbon by two folding pins. A visiting card is held with the award. One one side, in a combination of hand written and printed text, reads 'From Lieut-General Sir John Monash to Liz. To keep in safe custody, - in loving remembrance of history-making, but anxious days'. On the reverse is written 'Croix de Guerre avec Palme awarded by the French Republic to Lt Gen. Sir J. Monash By Citation of General HeadQuarters (issued by Le Maréchal Petain) In recognition of his leadership of the Aust. Army Corps in 1918, which achieved the repulse & final defeat of the enemy armies.'.

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 worked on the construction of the Princes Bridge in Melbourne and in 1888 was placed in charge of constructing a new railway even though he had yet to complete his degree. Monash married Hannah Victoria 'Vic' Moss in April 1891 and they had one daughter, Bertha. He 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.

Meanwhile, he and a friend had established a private engineering practice in 1894. The business grew steadily but a series of setbacks left him with large debts in 1902. Starting again, Monash recovered and became wealthy. He also gained promotion to lieutenant colonel in the Australian Intelligence Corps in 1908. Now prospering in business and the Army, in 1913 Colonel Monash 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.

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.

This award was kept by Miss Elizabeth 'Lizzie' (or 'Lizette') Bentwitch [also spelt Bentwich], an old friend of the Monash family from Melbourne's Jewish society in the 1890s. Her father, Morris Bentwitch, had been a successful tobacconist and upon his death she inherited enough money to embark for England and live there independently in London society. She was still living there during the First World War. Monash's wife suggested he visit their old friend when he was in England on leave. Monash and Miss Bentwitch had some friendly outings, and eventually a relationship developed sometime in 1917.

Monash's wife and daughter joined him in England at the end of April 1919. After spending several months enjoying the social scene in London, they returned to Australia. Monash, who had earlier broken off his relationship with Miss Bentwitch, accompanied them and they arrived in Melbourne on 26 December 1919. Lady Monash, who had previously suffered from uterine cancer, had been in delicate health in London. By the time they returned to Australia her health had deteriorated further. She was again diagnosed with cancer and died on 27 February 1920. Monash and Miss Bentwitch renewed their relationship sometime later, but the couple did not marry and remained companions until his death on 8 October 1931. Miss Bentwitch died in 1954.

Monash was twice awarded the Croix de Guerre with palm leaf by France, the first time in October 1918 and the second in July 1919, but he wore only one of these with two palms on the ribbon to indicate both awards. He gave this second award to Miss Bentwitch to keep 'in loving remembrance of history-making, but anxious days'.