Soldier’s Soldier, A: The Life of Lieutenant-General Sir Carl Herman Jess

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY

On the outbreak of the First World War, Jess was involved in the mobilisation of the Australian Military Force (AMF) in South Australia, and then of the preparation of the South Australian contingent, the 10th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Light Horse Regiment. He joined the Australian Imperial Force himself in Melbourne on 23 September 1914, having been selected for the post of staff captain with the 4th Infantry Brigade by Colonel John Monash.

Jess landed at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 and served throughout the Gallipoli Campaign. He became brigade major of the 2nd Brigade on 23 May 1915 with the rank of major, serving with distinction in the front line, most notably alongside Lieutenant Colonel Bennett in the attack on the German Officers’ Trench on 7 August 1915. He was well known by Australian Diggers for his courage at Gallipoli and his cool head in the face of extraordinary circumstances. For his service at Gallipoli, he was Mentioned in Despatches and 1916 was awarded the Order of the White Eagle by the King of Serbia.

Jess returned to Egypt on 7 January 1916. On 28 February 1916 he was given command of the 7th Battalion, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 12 March 1916. At Pozières in July 1916 he again distinguished himself as a front-line leader. He was gassed at Pozières and refused to leave his post and for this he was twice Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 1 January 1917.^[2]

On 19 November 1916 Jess was appointed first commandant of the I Anzac Corps School but on 27 November he was recalled to temporarily command 2nd Brigade. From 13 March 1917 to 8 September 1917, he was an instructor at the School for Commanding Officers at Aldershot, England, the first Australian officer to hold such an appointment.

On 8 September 1917, Jess was appointed the task of GSO2 at I Anzac Corps Headquarters. Then on 7 January 1918 he became GSO1 at 2nd Division Headquarters. On 20 January 1918, he transferred to the 3rd Division Headquarters. Jess was promoted to major in the AMF on 1 January 1918, lieutenant colonel on 3 June 1918, colonel and temporary brigadier general on 7 October 1918, taking over the 10th Infantry Brigade. For his service on the Western Front in the final year of war, he was again mentioned in despatches and appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1919 New Year’s List.^[3]

• 240 p. : ill., map, ports. ; 26 cm. #170524
• Jess, Sir Carl Herman
• Australia. Army — History — 20th century
• Soldiers — Australia — Biography
• First Edition
• Signed by Author
• (Small closed edge tear to jacket)