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

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

15^th MARCH, 1915.

174 – Command of Brigade –

            Brigadier-General T.P.B. Ternan, C.M.G., D.S.O., resumes Command of the Brigade from 14^th inst.

175 – Officiating Clergyman – Death of –

            The death of the Rev. H.G. Attwater, Officiating Clergyman to the Brigade, is announced with regret.

176 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

MINIATURE RIFLE COURSE –

The attention of all concerned is directed to the draft of the new Miniature Rifle Course, copies of which have been forwarded to Headquarters of Formations for distribution.

It will be fired by all Units throughout the Command from this date onwards.

This Order has to be repeated in Division, Brigade, Garrison, and Regimental Orders.

(G.M.) Northern Command Order No.367.

RATIONS – RATION MONEY –

1. ACCOUNTS. – The method of accounting for the cash allowance of 4d. per man per diem referred to in Army Order 396, of 1914, is found to vary considerably. 

To rectify this, all Units should be directed to make use of the latest print of Army Book 48, which is to be compiled in periods corresponding with the Pay and Mess Sheets.  The books should also be completed as indicated by the various headings, shewing the diet provided each day and the ingredients used, whether they be either free issues or purchases.

A supply of these books can be obtained on application to this office.

• CREDIT BALANCES – Instances have occurred where unduly large sums of money have been accumulated as cash credits; especially is this the case where the full subsistence allowance of cash has been issued.  In no instance should the balances in hand exceed 4d per head.
• MISUSE OF RATION MONEY – Cases have been brought to notice where large sums of money have been spent in the purchase of plant, stoves etc.; this is not permissible.
• WASTE OF BREAD – Waste of bread is becoming a serious matter, and calls for constant supervision on the part of Commanding Officers over the messing arrangements of their Units.  It does not appear to be fully understood that if, in some Units, the Army ration provides more bread than is required, flour for cooking purposes can be drawn in lieu of a portion of bread ration.

Authority, W. O. Letter No. 53/Gen. No./5257 (Q.M.G. 6), dated 3^rd March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 47044 (I.A.S.).  Northern Command Order No.368.

LODGING ALLOWANCE –

            As it appears that some misunderstanding exists with regard to paragraph (d) of Army Order 501, of 1914, it is notified that the intention of this paragraph is that Officers should not receive lodging allowance for their families under paragraph 286, Allowance Regulations, or free accommodation for their families, in public quarters, and draw in addition, for the same period, the allowances authorised by Army Order 501 of 1914.  Otherwise the same service would be paid for or (provided) twice over.  Where, however, Lodging and Fuel and Light Allowances would be admissible under Army Order 501, of 1914, they may be drawn instead of Lodging Allowance, under paragraph 286 (a) or (b), Army Regulations.

In the case of Officers on consolidated pay, as the issue of field allowance is more advantageous to the Officer, it is notified that there will be no objection to this allowance being drawn from the date authorised in paragraph (c), of Army Order 501, of 1914, less any sum which has been drawn as Lodging Allowance by him since that date.

Authority, W.O. 14/Misc./171 (Q.M.G.F.a), dated March 5^th, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 47151 (D.B.O.).  Northern Command Order No.370.

CORRESPONDENCE – CLOTHING DEPOT, YORK –

            It is notified for information that all correspondence for the Army Ordnance Department Clothing Depot, York, should be addressed to the Ordnance Officer i/c Clothing Depot, Carlton Street, Store, York, and care should be taken that all consignments are sent to the same address clearly marked.

(O.S.) Northern Command Order No.372.

OVER ISSUES OF FUEL – TROOPS IN HIRED BUILDINGS OR BILLETS –

With reference to Command Order No. 1774, of 1914, any fuel consumed in excess of the quantity authorised should be reported to the Officer Commanding, Army Service Corps of the District or Formation concerned at the end of each month for incorporation on the form laid down in Appendix II, Regulations for Supply, Transport and Barrack Services, and submission to Headquarters for authority for remission of charges for overdrawals.  The reasons necessitating the overdrawal should be fully stated in each case.

This does not apply to troops quartered in barracks overdrawals by which will be dealt with under paragraph 36 Regulations for supply, Transport and Barrack Services, in the usual way.

(D.B.O.)  Northern Command Order No.373.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

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