John Carroll

Deposition published Thursday, 2 June 1904, Senate Official Hansard, Parliament of Australia, pp 1839 — 1841.

My name is John Walter Maxwell Carroll, and I am 43 years of age.

My rank that of Major Vide A.O. of South Africa, from 7th July, 1901, and Queensland Government Gazette, 29th November, 1901, and G.O. No. 29, of 1902.

I entered the Queensland land service on probation on 27th February, 1898. Three months afterwards I passed the examination for Lieutenant in the Queensland Defence Force, Artillery branch.

I was attached to the Permanent Force, and paid from their pay sheets.

I remained with “A” Battery until 1891.

I then applied to be placed on the unattached list, as I had to go to England on private affairs.

I was granted one month’s leave on full pay, and sailed shortly afterwards as an officer of the Queensland Artillery, and was attached to the Royal Field Artillery at Aldershot by General J. F. Owen, R.A., Commandant of Queensland. I then served with the 4th Field Battery under Major Pickwoad, and then with the 57th Field Battery under Major Martin until 1892. This service was carried out at my own expense.

I then passed the examination for the rank of Captain, and was gazetted in Queensland as having passed such examination.

After leaving Aldershot I went to the London Royal Veterinary College, as some Artillery officers did a short course at Aldershot. I wished to go further with a regular veterinary course, and I passed two examinations whilst there.

In May, 1893, I sent to Queensland to ask that my Imperial service should be allowed to count as service in the Queensland Defence Force; and I was allowed by the Commandant to remain on the list of unattached officers, provided that I obtained and forwarded particulars of the work performed by me with the Imperial Forces.

In 1894 I went to Aldershot, and served with “G” Battery of Royal Horse Artillery under Major Hunt, and afterwards with the 4th Hussars under Colonel Brabazon. I sent certificates of such service, which .were approved. This exhibit also conveys to me the Commandant's satisfaction at the progress I was making in my military studies.

Whilst in England I also went to the Royal Gymnasium, and underwent a course of physical training, obtaining an extra certificate.

In 1899 I completed the course, and obtained a certificate from Colonel Fox, which he had specially endorsed as follows:— “This officer deserves the highest credit for the constant pains he has taken to master the work in all its branches.”

In 1896-7 I obtained leave from the Agent-General of Queensland to accept the position of Her Majesty’s Commissioners in West Africa, and I was duly appointed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Under this Commission I held Courts, superintended trade, and performed general administrative work in connexion with seven very large native tribes.

On my return to England, having been invalided home, I was offered the Commissionership to the Shire Highlands in East Africa by Lord Salisbury, in 1898, through his Secretary, on the recommendation of the Assistant Adjutant-General for Artillery at the War Office, who knew that I had served at Aldershot with the Field and Horse Artillery, and had been well reported upon. I refused this position, and accepted a Staff appointment in Queensland under General Gunter.

As regards the reasons for my appointment, I would refer you to a letter by Major-General Gunter. In this General Gunter refers to the favorable reports as regards both my character and my bearing; and he suggested that I should be appointed an adjutant, on probation, and that I should be immediately attached to an infantry regiment at Aldershot for a period of three or four months, the confirmation of my appointment being contingent on my passing an examination before leaving England. During this period General Gunter recommended that my salary should run on.

The whole of the time that I was in England going through courses of instruction to obtain the highest efficiency in the profession, so as to qualify myself for the highest positions that profession could offer, I did so at my own expense. My certificates and letters from the commanders under whom I served should show the various courses which I have undergone.

I never at any time lost my commission as an officer of the Queensland Defence Forces.

I would mention that in 1896, when I was appointed as a Commissioner in West Africa, that I applied for local rank of captain as all the Imperial officers who were lieutenants had been given such local rank; and I stated at the time that I had eight years’ service, and passed for my captaincy. The application was refused, on account of a minute written on it by the A.A.G., who said that I had never passed the examination as stated, and that it would be most undesirable that I should be given the local rank of captain. I then referred to General Owen’s promise that my name should be kept on the unattached list, in recognition of my services, provided that the records of my service with the Imperial troops were sent in ; and I was then replaced on the unattached list.

My service with the Queensland Defence Force has been continuous since 1888.

As regards my appointment to the Permanent Staff in 1899, I claim that it was purely upon the ground of my merits, and in recognition of the efficiency which I had attained through undergoing the various courses of instruction in England in my capacity as a Queensland officer. I never applied to any one for appointment except to the Commandant, and I brought no political or other influence to bear in the matter.

After I received a letter from Major-General Gunter, I went to Aldershot at the request of the Queensland Defence authorities, and was attached to the 1st Royal Sussex Regiment. I passed my examinations, and was well recommended by Colonel Donne, then in command of the Royal Sussex.

After this service I returned to Queensland.

I would point out that it is extraordinary, if it were true, that having been “found unsatisfactory” after three years’ service in the Queensland Permanent Forces, I should have been re-appointed to the Permanent Staff at a later date.

On my return to Queensland, I was sent to Charters Towers as Adjutant. I did altogether five months service in Queensland after my arrival there, then went to South Africa as Adjutant 1st Queensland Infantry Brigade.

Early in the year 1900, I went with the 1st Queensland Imperial Bushmen to South Africa, as Adjutant. I was on active service in the field until I got fever, and was sent into the Field Hospital, and got leave of absence when convalescent. During my leave of absence I went to Queensland and back to recruit my health at sea.

During the time I served in South Africa, I was under the command of Lt.-Col. Aytoun, and held my position as Adjutant throughout, until invalided at the beginning of September or October.

Lt.-Col. Aytoun showed the confidence he had in me by putting me in charge of practically one-third of the regiment; and at the conclusion of the War he recommended me for the War Bonus as quite satisfactory, the word “quite” will be found in the records to be underlined in red ink.

On the expiration of the sick-leave, to which I have already referred, I rejoined my Contingent, but not as Adjutant, as another officer had been appointed to that position in the meantime (Lt. Ferguson, 1st Q.I.B.). I was, however, given the command of “F” Squadron of the Regiment, the 1st Q.I.B. I continued on active service with the Contingent, until July, 1901, and I went to the front, and re-joined my regiment near Pietersburg, North Transvaal, within seven days of landing.

I was on active service all the time, and served under Colonel Jeffries in the North Transvaal, and General Plumer in operations around Bethel and Piet Retief. I was then appointed Provost Marshal to the column then under Colonel Gallway.

I was injured near Utrecht, and was put in hospital two days before the Contingent left for home.

The General Officer Commanding at Natal cabled to Queensland to be allowed to retain my services. Leave was granted by the Premier of Queensland in July, 1901. I was attached to the Royal Field Artillery, and I served with, and commanded the 20th Battery, R.F.A. in Natal and East Transvaal. (Exhibit No. 6 in office of Minister for Defence).

I was promoted by Lord Kitchener to the full rank of Major, and this promotion was approved in Queensland (Queensland Government Gazette, 29th November, 1901).

On 12th March 1902, I was peremptorily recalled from South Africa by the authorities - A.A.G., C.F. - although the Imperial Authorities were still desirous of retaining my services in South Africa. I had the offer of two appointments in South Africa, but feeling duty bound, I obeyed orders, and returned to Queensland.

I was gazetted in Army Orders in South Africa as a Major of the Queensland Permanent Staff, subject to the approval of the Queensland Government. This was approved, and my appointment was gazetted as Major in the Queensland Government Gazette.

I was appointed to the rank of Major by Lord Kitchener, on the recommendation of Major King, D.S.O., R.F.A., who was in command of my Battery in South Africa.

I was the only officer from Australia who commanded a Battery of Royal Field Artillery. I would also refer to the fact that I know a report of a highly satisfactory nature was sent to Head-Quarters, Queensland, by General Burne-Murdoch, commanding Newcastle Subdistrict, in regard to my services.

When I learnt to my surprise that I had been retrenched, I made inquiries as to all the papers and records of my career as an officer, but found that the same had been destroyed by an order of a Board, which sat four days before I returned from South Africa.

The destruction of these documents places me at a distinct disadvantage. I have nothing to fear from any inquiries amongst the officers with whom I served. These records contained particulars of my services in England, and I was desirous of placing all the papers before the G.O.C. for his consideration.

As regards my service in Australia, since my return, I would point out that I was recalled by cable on the 14th March, 1902, and came back in command of the troopship Custodian, having about 500 officers and men on board, whom I landed in perfect order. The troops comprised the Fifth Victorian Mounted Rifles, and details of Queenslanders.

On the 5th June, 1902, I received notice of my retrenchment in Queensland. I was informed in the letter conveying my dismissal that it was very probable that I would be engaged in my present capacity elsewhere; and I was asked if I were willing or otherwise to accept service in another State as adjutant. After this I was sent temporarily to New South Wales (see General Order 164, of 1902), and I was again retrenched when the next retrenchment took place in October, 1902.

Up to this time I had not received any intimation that my services were considered so unsatisfactory that I should not be retained as a permanent officer of the Commonwealth.

When I called for a statement of the reasons for my retrenchment, the same were delayed until about the 19th September, 1903. I have been for over eight months attempting to obtain satisfactory reasons, and also to receive an explanation as to why my documents and records of service have been destroyed.

I claim that upon my record, my services might have been retained in the Commonwealth in priority to the officers junior to myself, who have been promoted. I have spent the whole of my life qualifying myself to be an efficient officer. I have obtained my training at my own expense; I served my Queen in active service upon the field, and fought to preserve the reputation of Australians as members of the Empire; and it seems to me unjust that after these years of service and of training I should be retrenched, and that others should be placed over my head.

It is to be regretted that Major-General Hutton, after eight months careful deliberation, should have put his name to charges, which I submit, upon my records, and upon the reasons which I have given in the above letter, are not only unjust to myself, but in one instance, that is to say, the Premier of Queensland, unfair to a person who was occupying a high official position in that State.

Unfortunately, Major-General Hutton appears to have acted upon reports, which, in view of the facts that I have put before you, I submit are absolutely and utterly incapable of proof. I think that it is not fair and just to me that after so many years of self-sacrifice in the interests ot my country, my reputation should be taken away from me on mere ex parte statements.

I would further add that after I had been retrenched on the 23rd October, 1902, I wrote (Exhibit 10) to the Chief Staff Officer, New South Wales, as I was desirous of obtaining active service in Somaliland. I was referred to Major-General Hutton in Melbourne; but being confident that I would receive a satisfactory reply from the Department, after my many years of service in Queensland, England, and West and South Africa, I went so far as to take my steamer passage to Aden by P. and O. I came on to Melbourne, and saw Major-General Hutton, and my request to him was that he should cable at my expense to the Officer Commanding at the base at Aden, stating that I was proceeding to Aden, and would be glad if he could attach me without pay to the column. Major-General Hutton declined to do this, stating that I could go as a civilian if I liked, and that I had been retrenched out of the service. He seemed to think that because I had been retrenched from the Permanent Staff, that my commission in Queensland from the King had been cancelled.

I have also another complaint to make, with respect to my rank as Major. I have already shown that I received the rank of Major, which was not local or temporary. On reference to the Army Orders issued in South Africa, and to the Queensland Government Gazette of the 29th November, 1901, it will be seen that I am given the rank and title of Major in the Permanent Forces of Queensland, and in G.O. 29, of 1902, on my returning to Australia. An attempt has been made to put me back to the status of a Captain; and on several occasions I have complained of my treatment in this respect, viz., on the 22nd July, 1902; 31st July, 1902; and the 7th August, 1902; but failing to obtain any redress, I wrote on the 14th September, 1902, and asked that this matter should be referred, to the “highest authority”. I received a reply from the A.A.G., Colonel Mackenzie, informing me that the matter had been referred to Head-Quarters for decision, and that the General Officer Commanding had decided that I should be informed that my promotion was promotion only in South Africa.

I was promoted to this rank in South Africa on the recommendation of my Commanding Officer, Major King, K.F.A., by Lord Kitchener, acting for H.M. the King; and the promotion was confirmed in the Queensland Government Gazette, 29-11-01. In G.O., 244, of 22-12-02, I am shown as an Honorary Major, and bracketed with three other officers whose promotion was in each instance temporary from Queensland, or local in South Africa.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,