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

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

24^th MARCH, 1915.

194 – District Court-Martial –

            The detail of Officers as mentioned in Brigade Order No. 184, dated 20^th March, 1915, will re-assemble at the Orderly Room, Newburn, on Friday, March 26^th, at 10 a.m., for the purpose of trying by a District Court-Martial the accused persons named in the margin.

The accused will be warned, and all witnesses duly required to attend.

The proceedings will be forwarded to the G.O.C. 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, “Alnbank” Alnwick.

The Officer Commanding the 3^rd Battalion, Tyneside Scottish, will detail three officers to attend for instructional purposes.

The names in the margin are :- No. 1023, Temporary Sergeant W. Cameron, 22^nd (S) Battalion Northd. Fusiliers (3^rd Tyneside Scottish) and No. 1542, Pte. Jas. Lawrence Kelly, 22^nd (S) Battalion Northd. Fusiliers (3^rd Tyneside Scottish).

195 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

ATHLETICS –

The attention of Brigadiers and all Officers Commanding Units is called to Chapter 1, Section 1, paragraph 8, Infantry Training, 1914.

This training should be progressive in all respects, e.g., Commanding Officers should encourage their Company Officers to start inter-team races (or other sports) between platoons, over various distances, etc., and to inculcate keen rivalry between the smaller Units of their Command, before organizing inter-Battalion, and, eventually, inter-Brigade competitions.

It is hoped, eventually, to hold a Northern Command Cross Country Championship, after various knock-out Competitions between Brigades and Districts have taken place.

The great object to be kept in view is to interest and train as many men as possible, and to give poor and indifferent athletes a chance.  This can only be done on the lines of inter-team competition.

There is no limit to this form of sport.  A company, for example, could, after a short time, place 4 platoon teams in the field, of, roughly, 30 to 40 men, according to merit.

This, in itself, will create a rivalry among the teams, and this spirit, once kindled, will carry far.

There are a great number of noted athletes in the Command, who would be only too pleased to give their assistance in organizing these competitions, and it is suggested that Commanding Officers should make use of their services in carrying out the wishes of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

Mr. W.H. Rainbow, President N.E. Counties Cross Country Association, has kindly offered to give his services and experience to all Regimental Secretaries, etc.

Other Associations affiliated with his will also render what assistance they can in furthering this branch of sport.

The addresses of the various Secretaries can be obtained on application to Mr. Rainbow, 15, New Bridge Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

C.R.N.C.  48586 (G.).  Northern Command Order No.426.

Officers Commanding Units will report for the information of the General Officer Commanding the action taken in this connection.

“LONDON GAZETTE” –

The following extract from the Third Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Tuesday, the 16^th March, 1915, is published for information:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

22^nd Battalion (3^rd Tyneside Scottish). – The appointment to the rank of temporary Second-Lieutenant of William Davies, notified in the “Gazette” of 5^th January, 1915, is ante-dated to 18^th November, 1914.

Northern Command Order No.427.

RATIONS – FORAGE –

From 15^th April, the forage ration of all draught animals should be amended as under:-

Heavy Draught Animals.

8lbs. crushed maize should be issued instead of a similar quantity of oats.

Other Draught Animals.

3lbs. crushed maize instead of 3lbs oats.

The crushed maize will be issued on demand from the Base or Main Supply Depot, from which rations and forage are usually drawn.

To enable Officers in charge of Depots to make necessary provision, demands for weekly quantities required for period 15^th April – 14^th May should reach them not later than 25^th March, and similar demands for future periods should be sent in so as to give a clear 3 weeks’ notice.

Authority, W. O. Letter No. 53/Supply Depots/205 (Q.M.G. 6), dated 18^th March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 49282/ (S.T.).  Northern Command Order No.428.

CLOTHING –

            With reference to Army Order XVII, dated 22^nd January last, numerous demands are being received by the Deputy Director of Ordnance Stores, Woolwich Arsenal, for “Sam Browne” equipment for Class II Warrant Officers promoted under Army Order 70 of February, 1915.  It is notified for information of all concerned, that it is not the intention that such Warrant Officers should be issued with “Sam Browne” equipment.

Authority, W.O. Letter No. 54/General Number/1790 (Q.M.G9), dated 18^th March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 48261 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.430.

MANOEUVRE TRAINING AND ENTRENCHING –

Instructions regarding the above are issued this day as an annexure to Command Orders.

Demands for additional copies for distribution to Units, and to allow for all Officers to be in possession of a copy, should be submitted early by G.O.C.’s Garrisons, Divisions, and Independent Brigades, and by O.C.’s Independent Units.

C.R N.C. 47995 (C.E.).  Northern Command Order No.431.

            Officers Commanding Units will forward their demands to this Office at an early date.

MEDICAL ATTENDANCE –

1. A soldier on furlough who requires medical aid must apply, either in person or otherwise, to the nearest military hospital if he resides within two miles of the hospital.
2. If he resides outside the radius of two miles he may apply to a civilian medical practitioner; the soldier must report the employment of the civilian doctor to his Commanding Officer by letter immediately.  In the case of men whose Unit is abroad, this report should be made to the Officer Commanding Depot, or to the Officer to whom they are ordered to report themselves when on furlough.
3. Civilian medical practitioners so employed should prefer their claims without delay on Army Form O. 1667; these forms may be obtained from, and when completed should be forwarded to, either the Deputy-Director of Medical Services at the Headquarters of the Command in which the soldier is temporarily residing, or the local Insurance Committee or Panel Committee.    The Insurance or Panel Committee will transmit claims to the Deputy-Director of Medical Services.  Instructions on this point are being circulated by the National Health Insurance Commission.
4. The claims will be passed by the Deputy-Director of Medical Services to the Appropriate Officer Commanding for completion of the second certificate.  The terms of the third certificates will be modified by the Deputy-Director of Medical Services in accordance with the decisions promulgated in this letter.
5. As regards soldiers not on furlough, those who are billeted are in the care of the medical officer in charge of the area where they are billeted.  Those living at home should report immediately to their Commanding Officers, who will arrange for the regimental medical officer to visit, or for the soldier’s removal to hospital.  If neither of these courses is practicable, a civilian medical practitioner will be engaged on the same lines as for men on furlough.
6. Civilian medical practitioners in War Department employment at the capitation rates provided in Article 364 of the Pay Warrant will be allowed to submit separate claims for payment in respect of attendance on soldiers on furlough.  The rates to be charged will be those on the reverse of Army Form O. 1667.
7. Officers commanding Units (including British Units of the Indian Expeditionary Force) will make their men, when proceeding on furlough, whether sick furlough or ordinary furlough, acquainted with the purport of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this letter.

Authority, W.O. Letter, 93/1056 (F.2.), dated 23^rd February, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 45992 (C.P.).  Northern Command Order No.432.

MESSING ARRANGEMENTS –

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief wishes to call the attention of all Commanding Officers to the need that exists for fulfilling to the utmost their responsibilities in regard to their men’s messing.

They must ensure that the most is made out of the rations and messing money, and that no waste is permitted.  The means at disposal are sufficient to give the soldier a most varied and ample diet, and if this is not the case the fault lies with the Commanding Officer.

Care is especially necessary in cases where the Units are scattered, and where consequently it has to mess by detachments.

Divisional Commanders and Brigade Commanders, when visiting their Units, should lose no opportunity in looking into these matters, and of ensuring that high standards are reached and maintained.

It has been found by experience that in nine cases out of ten, Units which keep correctly their Army Book 48 (Daily Messing Account) are also well fed, and vice-versa.  For this reason, this book should be frequently examined at inspections.

The Instructor in Catering, Northern Command, is available to assist Commanding Officers by visiting their Units, and making suggestions for any necessary improvements.

Northern Command Order No.437.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

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