MONASH, SIR JOHN

born June 27, 1865, West Melbourne died Oct. 8, 1931, Melbourne civil engineer and soldier, best-known for his role as commander of the Australian army corps in France during World War I. Monash attended Scotch College and Melbourne University obtaining degrees in the arts, in civil engineering, and law. Responsible for the design of a number of bridges in Melbourne and Tasmania, Monash pioneered in the use of reinforced concrete in Australia. He fought at Gallipoli as the head of an infantry brigade; posted in 1916 with his troops to France, Monash was promoted and charged to organize and train Australian troops. In 1918 he was put in command of the Australian corps. His war experiences are recalled in The Australian Victories in France in 1918 (1920) and War Letters (1933). He served as head of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and, as such, was influential in the mining of coal deposits in Yallourn, the erection of power lines to Melbourne, and the development of the briquette industry.