Summary

Special order from Lieutenant-General Sir John Monash dated July 4-5, 1918 conveying his congratulations to the Australian troops who participated in the Battle of Hamel (July 4, 1918) and also the messages of congratulations that he received from others, including the Prime Minister of Australia and other Commanders of the Commonwealth Forces.

Also included is a second special order, dated July 5, 1918 that contains a congratulatory message from the Field-Marshal Commander in Chief British Armies in France (Sir Douglas Haig) and the G.O.C. Fourth Army (Gen. Sir Henry Rawlinson).

Part of the collection of World War I memorabilia donated by Sergeant John Lord (#6252), although it is believed that not all of the material relates to his own war service. However, John Lord was attached to the 13th Australian Field Ambulance when it acted as the Advanced Dressing Station during the Battle of Hamel and so would have been one of the Australian troops who received these 'orders' for his part in the battle.

John Lord was 19 years old when he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces in June 1915. Originally part of the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital, 11th Reinforcement; Lord was transferred to the 13th Australian Field Ambulance upon its formation in February 1916. He subsequently moved to the headquarters of the Assistant Director of Medical Services, 4th Division, in December 1918 where he seems to have spent the remainder of the war. Although listed as 'effective abroad,' Lord returned to Australia on 30 October 1919, and was discharged from service on 12 March 1920. He died in 1951.

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