John Monash

Sir John Monash GCMG, KCB, VD (* June 27, 1865 in Melbourne, † October 8, 1931 ) was an Australian engineer and officer, most recently General.

Life

Monash was born the son of a German - Polish immigrant family is Jewish. He was educated at Scotch College and then studied engineering and law at the University of Melbourne. In 1887 he was admitted as a lieutenant in the artillery.

Until the outbreak of World War I, he reached the rank of colonel and was commander of the 4th Brigade of the Australian Imperial Force in Egypt. With this he took part in the Battle of Gallipoli. In July 1916 he was promoted to Major General and was given command of the 3rd Division of the AIF. With this he was employed from November 1916 as part of the II Anzac Corps in space Armentieres. In 1917 he participated in the Battle of Messines and the Third Battle of Ypres. In May 1918 he was given command of the now formed Australian Corps as Lieutenant General. This he conducted successfully in the Hundred Days Offensive.

After the war Monash initiated the return of Australian troops. In 1920 he became General Manager of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. He was also from 1923 Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

Honors

Monash honor was erected an equestrian statue near the Shrine of Remembrance. Among other things, the Monash University in Melbourne has been named after him. Monash is also depicted on the Australian 100 dollar note.