Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Monks William Gladstone

Born Launceston Tasmania to William Sydney and Julia Monks (nee Fahey) a permanent member of the Commonwealth Military Forces he embarked Melbourne 21^st October 1914 with the Service Number 1 on board “HMAT Orvieto” with the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 2^nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters.

He was killed in action 8^th May 1915 on the Gallipoli Peninsula and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

A BRAVE TASMANIAN SOLDIER

HOW SGT -MAJOR MONKS DIED) BRIGADIER MCCAY'S TRIBUTE.

Colonel J. W. McCay in an interesting letter from the front to Senator Keating describes the manner in which the Senator’s brother-in-law-,Sergeant-Major W G. Monks, a son of the late Mr. W. G. Monks, one of the early pioneers of Zeehan met his death in action at Gallipoli. The letter is as follows:—

'Dear Mr Keating, — I had no opportunity of writing earlier but would like to convey to Sgt Major Monks’ people my sincerest sympathy. He died the death of a brave man doing his duty. The manner of this death was this – My brigade went to Cape Helles to take part in the attack. Our particular task was a difficult one — to advance over open ground under fierce fire, which could not be identified. Consequently I went on with the first line, taking Monks with me and one or two others making a party of eleven. We had to advance over 1000 yards, exposed to fire with only one halt in a trench about half-way. Before we got to this trench one of the party was killed and two wounded, leaving Monk and myself and two signallers to go on. We went about 200 yards when one of the signallers fell wounded and we had to halt until we found a stray man to help us with the roll of a phone wire. Monks was still untouched, and was as cool and tranquil as though he were walking across a barrack square. When about 100 yards from our destination, Monks suddenly reeled amid a heavy rain of missiles. I said, 'Monks, are you hit” He said, 'The heart, sir,' and then sank to the ground and died instantly. The signaller the casual, and I reached our destination though later the casual was killed and I was wounded. Monks had just before been recommended for a commission. This he refused, because it would delay him reaching the enemy. He was of that type said Colonel McCay that the Empire and his own people could ill spare. He fell facing the enemy in the thick of battle fighting successfully against odds. More than that can be said of no soldier. None of us will grudge going out the same way.’

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.