BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,

10^th FEBRUARY, 1915.

109 – Contractors’ Accounts – Settlement of –

            As there appears to have been some misapprehension and want of uniformity as regards the action to be taken in connection with the payment of the accounts of contractors who supply cooked meals to the Non-commissioned Officers and Men in billets, in future the following method will be adopted and must be strictly adhered to.

Officers Commanding Companies will keep a daily roll showing the exact number of Non-commissioned Officers and Men of their Company present at each meal – Breakfast, Dinner, and Tea.  This roll will be signed daily by the Officer Commanding Company and by the Contractor’s agent as correct.  These rolls will be handed into the Orderly Room at the end of each month, and a statement will be compiled showing the total number of each meal provided by the Contractor for the Battalion for the month, and will be forwarded by the Officer Commanding Unit to the Hon. Treasurer, Colonel Johnstone Wallace, Tyneside Scottish Committee, for settlement.

Officers Commanding Battalions will cease to draw money from the Command Paymaster, Northern Command, York, for the purpose of paying Catering Contractors.  All such payments will in future be made by the Hon. Treasurer, Tyneside Scottish Committee.

In the case of Battalions in camp at Alnwick who are purchasing uncooked provisions, all bills on this account will be rendered at the end of each month signed by the Commanding Officer, as correct, to the Hon. Treasurer, Tyneside Scottish Committee, for settlement.

In order that no delay may take place in paying outstanding accounts due to Contractors, Commanding Officers will at once put themselves in communication with the Hon. Treasurer, Tyneside Scottish Committee, and supply the information required to enable an early settlement to be made.

110 –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to the following copy of War Office telegram, dated 8^th instant:-

“7783 Q.M.G.2.  All men allowed to proceed on leave prior to embarkation for Expeditionary Force may be allowed to travel on Warrant provided that they have not already received a similar indulgence.”

C.R.N.C. No. 43111.

111 –

The following War Office letter, dated February 5^th, 1915, is circulated for the information of Officers Commanding Units:-

“With reference to War Office circular letter No. 14/General Number/5514 (Q.M.G.F.a), of 7^th October, 1914, I am directed to inform you that it has been decided that free warrants, to enable relatives to attend funerals of soldiers, may be given under the provisions of the above circular, to the relatives of those who die while serving in the United Kingdom, during the period of the War, equally with those of soldiers who die from illness or wounds contracted while serving on the Continent.

I am to add that the heading of Army Form O. 1801A will be amended accordingly at the next reprint.”

W.O.14/Railways/4062 (Q.M.G.2).

C.R.N.C. 39007/1/14 Q.

112 –

AMMUNITION – MINIATURE –

It has been brought to notice that some Units have not carried out their Miniature Rifle practices, and in explanation it has been asserted that the Ammunition could not be obtained from the Army Ordnance Department.

It is pointed out there is no shortage of Miniature Ammunition, and Units should indent regularly for their requirements.

C.R. No. 38222/12/8 (G.M.).  Northern Command Order No. 174.

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONS – TEMPORARY ARMY, SPECIAL RESERVE, AND TERRITORIAL FORCE – MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF –

It is notified for information that candidates for commissions in the Temporary Army, Special Reserve, and Territorial Force, must sign Form M.T. 360 and hand same to the Medical Officer examining them as to their physical fitness for military service.  After the examination this form will be returned to the candidate, who will forward it to the War Office with his application for a commission.

Authority, War Office letter No. 29901/1 (A.M.D.3). dated 3^rd February, 1915.

C.R. No. 38935 (S.T.).  Northern Command Order No. 175.

VOYAGE RATIONS FOR OFFICERS JOINING EXPEDITIONARY FORCE –

With reference to Command Order 1672, of the 27^th November, 1914, in future voyage rations will not be issued to individual Officers proceeding to the Expeditionary Force.

Authority, War Office letter No. 121/Supplies/158 (Q.M.G.5), dated 4^th February 1915.

C.R. No. 42477 (M.S.).  Northern Command Order No. 177.

MOBILIZATION STORE TABLES, AND EQUIPPING NEW ARMIES –

With reference to Command Order No. 1810, dated 22^nd December, 1914, it is notified for information that the mobilization store tables for the units of the New Armies will be issued to all concerned at an early date.

On receipt, the equipments of Units of the 1^st New Army should be completed in accordance with those tables as early as possible.  Instructions regarding the completion of the equipments of the other New Armies will be issued later.

Authority, War Office letter No. 121/2618 (Q.M.G.10), dated 3^rd February, 1915.

C.R. No. 40391/2 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No. 179.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.