Sir John Monash
by Bassano, vintage print, 1918

Sir John Monash promotion to field marshal blocked by Defence ­Personnel Minister

A PUSH to promote one of Australia’s greatest war heroes, Sir John Monash, to the ­nation’s highest army rank of field marshal has been dealt a blow, with the minister ­responsible recommending the government blocks the move.

Even though Prince Philip holds the rank of an Australian field marshal, Defence ­Personnel Minister Dan Tehan has declared Monash should not get the posthumous promotion because he is not an officer “on the active list”.

In a decision expected to anger senior ministers, Mr Tehan said Monash was never considered for promotion to field marshal in his lifetime.

Read the full article by Annika Smethurst at The Daily Telegraph.