01)LHQ Memo (ref. SM.176) 5 Jan. '43 - Memo from Dept. of the Army
(Adjutant-General) signed by Col. L.E. Vail for Adj. Gen - concerning
the 'USE OF HOSPITAL SHIPS' - memo cancells previous SM.18938 20 Oct.
'42. Details instructions to be observed by all Australian Military
personnel responsible for embarking personnel or loading medical
equipment and stores on hospital ships.
02)LHQ Memo (ref. SM.2023) 28 Jan. '43 - Memo from Dept. of the Army
(Adjutant-General) signed by Col. L.E. Vail for Adj. Gen - concerning
the 'USE OF HOSPITAL SHIPS' - memo defines certain interpretations to
be observed concerning Con Depots, Etomological Units and Hygiene
Sections (not medical units...not carried as "complete miliotary
medical units" nor personnel individually... Chaplains and Red Cross
personnell not carried unless they are..War Establishment of H.S. or
appointed to ship's staff...or other medical unit.
03)Letter 26 May '43 from Mr. Andrew Gerrand to Prime Minister Curtin
- "...almost commom knowledge that there was a breach of the Geneva
Convention in that a Field Unit fully equipped was on board...also
authoritatively informed that the Captain raised objection...and had
to be ordered to sail by the authorities."
04)Minute Paper 3 June '43 (copy of a telephone message from Sydney)
from F.M.Forde to Mr. Sinclair - Carrying of Firearms on hospital
ship "Centaur" - Forde advised that 50 or 60 rifles were taken aboard
Centaur in Sydney and would like to be advised as to the carriage of
firearms on hospital ships in regard to International Convention.
05)Minute paper 4 June '43 - from Lieut.-General i/c Administration,
Dept. of the Army to the Secretary (for information of the Minister)
- Reference to Firearms on Hospital Ship Centaur - explains for the
Minister that based upon S.M.'s 176 & 2023 carriage of a field
ambulance together with A.A.S.C. personnel and their weapons did not
constitute a breach of the Convention.
06)Letter (ref. M53/4/473) 21 June '43 From Col. Hector Clayton (?),
H.Q. 1st. Aust Movement Control Group,Sydney to Movement Control,
Melbourne - refers to SM.14847 (19/6) and states that Capt. Murray
did not raise any objection...untrue that he was ordered to sail. Lt
- Col Manson, O.C.Troops, asked S.T.O. and Clayton on the afternoon
before sailing to confirm that the carriage of 2/12 Fd. Amb. as a
complete unit with attached A.A.S.C. personnel bearing arms was in
order. SM 176 produced and Manson expressed complete satisfaction. To
be doubly assured Maj. MacKinnon of Movement Section both he and Navy
confirmed the regularity of the embarkation.
07)Letter 2 July '43 from Minister F. M. Forde to Prime Minister
Curtin - replies to Curtin's request (28 May '43) concerning
Gerrand's letter of 26 May '43.- rumopurs due to misunderstanding of
Geneva Convention as adapted to maritime warfare...concerning
ambulance drivers boarding with their rifles..."provisions of the
Geneva and Hague Conventions were scrupulously observed in regard to
the "Centaur".