ABOUT SIR JOHN MONASH
As the sword was drawn. John Monash was honoUred to be in his position and was grateful for still being alive after fighting in the wars. Finally, the sword went down upon his shoulders.
Sir John Monash was born on June 27, 1865 in Dudley Street, West Melbourne. Monash is the eldest of three children, Mathilde and Louise. He was also the only son of Louis Monash and Bertha Mananesse Monash. For three years John Monash attended St. Stephen's Church of England School in Richmond, Melbourne but at the age of 9 he moved to Jerilderie, New South Wales. He also started to attend a Jeridie Public School under the school teacher, William Elliott. William was intrigued by Monash’s intelligence and taught him all of the mathematics he knew.
As Monash grew older his mother, his siblings and him moved back to Melbourne in late 1877 and his father followed five years later. Monash then enrolled in Scotch College and in the final year in Scotch College, Monash, 16, was dux in modern languages, mathematics and equal dux of the school. After graduating Scotch College Monash enrolled in arts, engineering and law at the University of Melbourne.
The first year at the University of Melbourne did not excite Monash and failed his first-year examinations. After two years of studying at the university, Monash decided to drop out because his mother had a fatal illness and Monash also had to contribute to the family. He then began to work at the Princess Bridge to pay bills but did not lose his desire to study. Monash continued to complete degrees and he earned a Bachelor of Arts and A Master in Science, Civil Engineering. He was an engineer of water supply and a patent attorney.
In April 1891 Monash married Hannah Moss and their only child Bertha was born in 1893. Monash finished his studies in 1895 and Monash soon became an Australian expert in reinforced concrete for bridges, railways and other construction projects.
After the war he returned to engineering and became Chairman of Victoria’s new State Electricity Commission and in his last few years he supercised construction of Melbourne's Remberance Shrine.
When the first war broke out Monash became a full-time army officer. The 1st Division sailed to Egypt on October 4th. Monash had commanded the 4th brigade but it was left behind and had embarked in December. When they arrived in Egypt in January 1915 they went to camp in Heliopolis. The Turkish had attacked the troops and the brigade played its part withstanding the Turks' offensive. The war went on and John Monash was accused of being a German spy because of his background, German and Jewish.
In 1915, Monash was commanded to serve in the front line in the Battle of Gallipoli in World War I and he served as a commander. There were many deaths but Monash was one of the people evacuated without being hurt.
The battle of Hamel of 4 July, 'all over in ninety-three minutes…the perfection of teamwork', Monash wrote. The Americans participated, and Monash had to withstand, by extraordinary force of personality, a last-minute attempt by General Pershing to withdraw them. 'A war-winning combination had been found: a corps commander of genius, the Australian infantry, the Tank Corps, the Royal Artillery and the RAF'.
In August 1918 John Monash was knighted by King George V and it was the first time in 200 years a commander was knighted on the battlefield. He was now known as Sir John Monash.
Sadly John Monash had passed away on October 8, 1931 due to a heart attack.
Sir John Monash was a hard working man who served his country and helped his family. He was born June 27, 1865 and passed away on October 8, 1931. Monash had served in many dangerous wars as a commander and put his life on the line yet he survived all of them. He was a great student in Scotch College and Melbourne University. Monash was also a great engineer after serving in the wars. Even though Monash had passed away he is still in history and don’t forget he is on the $100 dollar bill.
Written by
- Madison Chan