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

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

7^th MARCH, 1915.

163 – Command – Temporary – of Brigade –

            Brigadier General Trevor Ternan, C.M.G., D.S.O., having proceeded to-day to York, in accordance with Northern Command Order 314 of the 4^th inst., the Command of the Brigade temporarily devolves on Lieutenant-Colonel C.H. Innes Hopkins, 20^th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish).

164 – Northern Command Order –

The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Order No. 330.

165 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

NECESSARIES –

            It has been decided that the following additional items in the scale of necessaries for all soldiers enlisted in units raised by individuals or municipalities will be provided by the Army Ordnance Department:-

Brush, blacking                    1

    “       brass                         1

    “       clothes                      1

    “       polishing                  1

Button, brass                         1

Wax polish, tin of                 1

Indents for requirements to be put forward to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, by units concerned.

Authority, A.C.D./Manch/673 (Q.M.G.7), dated 1^st March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 46405/O.S.  Northern Command Order No.328.

CHAPLAINS –

It is notified for information that in view of the pending moves of the New Army Divisions it has been decided that Chaplains at present attached to Brigades should continue to serve with the same Brigades, and should accompany them on transfer to other stations.

Authority, War Office letter No. Clergy/General Number/4185 (Chaplains), dated 27^th February, 1915.

C.R.N. C. No. 45991 (M.S.).  Northern Command Order No.329.

DISCHARGE DOCUMENTS –

            It had been brought to the notice of the War Office that the completion of discharges of men by Officers in Charge of Records is much delayed through the following reasons:-

1. Mistakes in documents prepared by units.
2. Failure to close the mens’ accounts, the men being only partially paid up, and the final settlement of the balance left in abeyance.
3. Neglect of units to send Part II Orders weekly to Officer in Charge of Records, in conformity with paragraph 1890 King’s Regulations.
4. Delay in replying to queries from the Record Officer.

Commanding Officers should accelerate as far as possible the preparation of

all documents etc., of men due for discharge, in order that their discharge may be carried out without undue delay.

            It is very desirable, in the interests of the Army generally, as well as of units themselves, that men should not be sent back to civil life labouring under a sense of dissatisfaction at their treatment by the Military Authorities.

Authority, War Office letter No. 35/Gen. No./1450 (A.G.2.B.), dated 26/2/15.

C.R. No. 45993 (A).  Northern Command Order No.331.

COMMISSIONS FROM THE RANKS –

            It is notified for information that the very large number of names that have been submitted with a view to promotion to commissions from the ranks is far in excess of the number of commissions that can be allotted.

Selections have been made, and instructions will shortly be issued regarding the disposal of those Warrant and Non-Commissioned Officers whose promotions have been approved.  Those who have not yet been selected will be considered from time to time as opportunities offer, and it is requested that no further recommendations may be forwarded unless very special reasons can be given in support of any individual case.

It is observed that in certain cases Non-Commissioned Officers have been recommended because their juniors have already been selected.  In no case, however, is this a valid reason for recommendation, which should be based solely on each man’s individual merits.

Authority, War Office letter No. 100/General Number/1492 (M.S.I.), dated 27^th February, 1915.

C.R. No. 46035 (M.S.).  Northern Command Order No.332.

INSPECTION OF HIRED BUILDINGS –

            General Officers Commanding Divisions, Garrisons, Districts, and Brigades, 4^th and 5^th New Armies, will be responsible that a thorough inspection of all hired buildings, etc., occupied or used by troops under their command, is made weekly for the purpose of assessing all damages that may be reasonably considered as chargeable against the troops under their command.  Steps should immediately be taken to make good all such damages regimentally.

Northern Command Order No.333.

With reference to the above Order, Officers Commanding Units will render a report to this Office by first post on Mondays. 

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

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