Item 06: General William Holmes correspondence, 1900-1915 - Page 73

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[Page 73]

Captain S.P. Goodsell, Quarter-master:   Services satisfactory in every way.   His Mercantile business knowledge of great value. His Military attainments are also of a high standard.

Captain J.L. Marcus:   In Command of Machine Gun Section. Keen and competent, and exhibited great coolness in action.   His services as a Machine Gun Officer were most satisfactory.

Lieut R. Marsden:   Commanded Machine Gun Section with success.   This Officer was particularly keen and was selected for special work on several occasions which he carried out   with satisfaction. Resourceful and self-reliant.   His special knowledge as a Instructor of Musketry was of great benefit to the Expedition.

Lieut. R.M. Sadler: Signalling Officer,   Had a good knowledge of his special duties, and proved himself a useful member of the Expedition.

Lieut. K. Heritage, Transport Officer:   A man of strong personality and character; possesses good organising ability, and particularly keen in  performance of all his duties.   After I assumed the  office of Administrator he was appointed in charge of the large Government Stores at Rabaul, and was also entrusted with the organisation of an Inter-island Steamer Service.   His Mercantile knowledge proved of great service to the Administration.   The whole of his service was marked with conspicuous success.

The following is the report furnished by Lieut-Col. Watson on Company Officers of the  Infantry Battalion, with which I concur:-

Major R.H. Beardsmore:   Is keen and willing, but is wanting in Military instinct, and of rather an excitable temperament.   On the whole his Company work has been good.

Major E.F. Martin:   A keen zealous Officer; possesses   sound judgment and good   general Military knowledge.   He has been engaged on special work at Frederick Wilhelmshafen and is an Officer in whom I have every confidence.

Captain S.W. Ralston:   A steady, keen  and capable Company Commander; carried out his duties quite satisfactorily, and can be relied upon to fulfil all that is required of him  when acting independently.   A Major in Australian Army and sank in rank to accompany the Expedition.

Captain E.C. Norrie:   A steady reliable Officer of medium ability.   Was detailed as O.C. of Nauru Garrison, where his service gave every satisfaction.

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