Australian John Monash: 'The best man in WWI France'

John Monash was born in Melbourne in 1865 into a Prussian Jewish immigrant family. He spent part of his childhood in the country town of Jerilderie and later attended Scotch College, Melbourne. Early in his adult life he became a successful engineer, building bridges which can still be seen in Melbourne today. His skills as an engineer and planner also extended into voluntary service with the Victorian militia, later tested at both Gallipoli and on the Western front in World War One. By 1918, Monash's planning, use of new technology and careful use of troops contributed strongly to the final Allied victory in France. In post-war Australia Monash ran the newly formed Victorian State Electricity Commission and in his 'spare time' assisted his former soldiers and was largely responsible for the creation of ANZAC Day as part of the Australian tradition. Monash firmly resisted attempts by the New Right to make him a 'strong leader' in the grim days of the Great Depression. He died in 1931 aged 66.