BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

29^th APRIL, 1915.

279 – Waterproof Sheets – Issue of –

            With reference to Brigade Order No. 252, dated 19^th April, 1915, it is notified for the information of Officers Commanding Units that instructions have now been received that waterproof sheets will only be issued to troops going into camps under canvas.

No issue will, therefore, be made to Depot Companies accommodated in marquees.

280 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

CARTRIDGE CASES –

            Fired cases cartridge empty .303” and empty Ammunition packages should be sent direct to the Ordnance Officer, Selby.  All packages to be properly labelled, shewing Unit and Station from which consigned.

C.R.N.C. 55506 (O.S.). Northern Command Order No. 660.

EQUIPMENT – HUTMENTS –

            With reference to Command Order No. 633, of 22^nd April, 1915, it has now been decided that worn-out articles should not, in any case, be returned to the nearest Army Service Corps Barrack Store, but should always be disposed of on the spot to the best advantage for the benefit of the public.

C.R.N.C. 38117/148/2 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.659.

CONDITIONS OF TRANSFER TO ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS (NEW ARMY) FOR DUTY AS ARMOURER DURING THE PERIOD OF THE WAR –

            Application will be submitted through the soldier’s Commanding Officer.  Recommendations on behalf of Non-commissioned Officers and men of New Armies or Territorial Force Units not below the age of 21 years, who have the necessary qualifications and clean conduct sheets, should be forwarded to the Officer Commanding, Army Ordnance Corps, Red Barracks, Woolwich, together with Army Form B. 241.

            Trade testimonials should be forwarded with the application, or reference given to the firms from which they can be obtained.

            Qualifications. – Experience in the gun trade as action filer or employment at similar work (but “checkers” or “stockers” i.e. those with a knowledge of wood work only, are ineligible.)

A Fitter who can be classified at least as “good” or other artificer in metals who is competent in the use of the file, and accustomed to fitting and adjusting small parts of mechanism.

Probation. – On selection, the soldier will undergo a period of probation at Enfield and Woolwich.  During the first period of instruction at either place, on being reported as likely to become an efficient Armourer, the probationer will be transferred (or, in the case of Territorial Force candidates, discharged and re-attested for the Army Ordnance Corp New Army), and appointed Armourer Privates at 2/6 per diem, with effect from the date of the report.  If reported otherwise, the probationer will be returned to this Unit.  On completion of the probation, the soldier, if reported satisfactory, and available for duty as such, will be appointed Armourer Sergeant at 3/6 per diem.

(To be reproduced in all Divisional, Station, and Regimental Orders)

C.R.N.C. 55223 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.661.

CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS – ESTABLISHMENT OF LABORITORIES –

            It is notified for the information of all concerned that, for Cerebro-Spinal Fever investigation purposes, the Northern Command has been divided into areas as given below, with a Laboratory and Bacteriologist allotted to each.

No.	Area.	Laboratory.	Bacteriologist
1	Northumberland and Durham	Bacteriological Laboratory, College of Medicine, Newcastle-on-Tyne.	Major Hutchens, R.A.M.C.
2	East and North Ridings of Yorkshire	Northern Command Laboratory, Military Hospital, York.	Lt. MacMahon,  R.A.M.C.
3	West Riding, Yorkshire	No. 2 Northern General Hospital, Leeds.	Capt. Vining,  R.A.M.C.
4	North Nottinghamshire, North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, i.e. south of a line drawn through  Todmorton, Halifax, Dewsbury, Wakefield, Pontefract, and Selby, north of a line from Leek (Staffs.) to Norton Disney (Notts.)	University Laboratory, Sheffield.	Major Dean,  R.A.M.C.
5	South Derbyshire and South Nottinghamshire.  This area will also include Staffordshire until further notice.	County Laboratory, County Major Barwise, R.A.M.C. Offices, St. Mary’s Gate Derby.	Major Barwise,  R.A.M.C.
6	Lincolnshire	No. 4 Northern General Hospital, Lincoln.	Capt. Winter,  R.A.M.C.
7	Leicester and Rutland	No. 5 Northern General Hospital, Leicester.	Capt. Clare,  R.A.M.C.

(M.) Northern Command Order No.662.

LIGHTS ON VEHICLES, MOTOR CARS AND BICYCLES –

            Attention is called to the following extracts from an Order made by the Home Secretary which applies to all the prohibited areas i.e., parts of Northumberland, Durham, the North and East Ridings, and Lincolnshire, as well as certain inland districts, Cities, and Boroughs.

Any necessary lamps may be purchased locally; the bills should be sent in to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York.

EXTRACTS

The lights carried on motor cars and other vehicles shall not be of greater brightness than is necessary for the public safety.

Any person who shall cause or permit any vehicle during the period for which this Order applies, to travel in any street, highway, or road to which the public have access, shall provide such vehicle with a lamp or lamps in proper working order, and so constructed and capable of being so attached as when lighted to display to the rear a red light visible for a reasonable distance; and every person driving or being in charge of any such vehicle during such period as aforesaid shall keep such lamp or lamps properly trimmed, lighted, and attached.

For the purpose of this order the word ‘Vehicle’ shall include any bicycle, tricycle, or velocipede.

C.R.N.C. No. 53685 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.666.

COMMAND ORDERS –

1. With reference to Northern Command Order No. 603, dated 17/4/15, it cannot be too clearly laid down that the responsibility for receiving Command Orders rests with the Commanding Officers, and on them alone.  If not in receipt of these orders, application should at once at once be made through the channels indicated in the order quoted above.

(The “Commanding Officer” here referred to is he who commands a “unit” as defined in King’s Regulations – Page XV.)

This order, together with N.C.O 603, dated 17/4/15, is to be re-published in all Divisional, Garrison, District, and Brigade Orders.

• General and other Officers Commanding at (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of N.C.O No. 603, dated 17/4/15, will render to Command Headquarters on the 1^st and 15^th of each month an amended list showing:-
• Units, etc., to whom issue is being made.
• Numbers issued in each case.

(C.R.)  Northern Command Order No.668.

COOKERY COURSE –

            With reference to Command Order No. 547, dated 8^th April, 1915, a further Class will shortly be formed at the School of Cookery, Aldershot.  The names of N.C.O.’s recommended for the course should be rendered to Command Headquarters as soon as possible.

Those units who have a master cook, or who have N.C.O.’s at present in training at Aldershot, should not apply, and only N.C.O.’s who are to be appointed to the position of master cook should be recommended.

Attention is drawn to Army Order No. 448 of 1914.

C.R.N.C. No. 41428 (I.A.S.).  Northern Command Order No.669.

FIELD RATIONS – EQUIVALENTS –

            With reference to Command Order 569 of 12^th April, 1915, on further consideration, it has been decided that, where oatmeal is drawn as a ration equivalent, it shall be issued not as a substitute for flour, but in substitution of bread in the following proportions:-

Oatmeal         2oz. = Bread 4 oz.

Authority, War Office letter 53/Scottish/398 (Q.M.G. 6), dated 26^th April, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 52862 (S.T.).  Northern Command Order No.670.

BARRACK DETENTION ROOMS –

            Application for Certificates under paragraph 650 King’s Regulations for Barrack Detention Rooms, attached to Guard Rooms of New Huts which have been erected, for sentences of detention up to 168 hours, will be forwarded to Command Headquarters in every case.

Authority, War Office letter No. 23/Southern/212 (A.G.3), dated 23^rd April, 1915.

C.R. No. 55401 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.673.

SPECTACLES – ISSUE OF –

            In order to secure uniformity regarding disposal of Soldiers who are suffering from simple errors of refraction, which can be corrected by the aid of glasses, and with reference to Command Order No. 524, dated 6^th April, 1915, it is not proposed to lower the standard of vision, but to allow lenses to improve vision which is up to standard, but less than normal.

Authority, War Office letter No. 24/General Number/3751 (A.M.D.2), dated 20^th April, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 51459/M.  Northern Command Order No.674.

281 – Equipment – Hutments –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No. 660, dated 27^th April 1915, a report in each case to Brigade Headquarters will be made by Officers Commanding Units as to the disposal of articles referred to.

282 – Transfer to Army Ordnance Corps –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No. 661, dated 27^th April, 1915, the names of Non-commissioned Officers and men are to be forwarded to Brigade Headquarters at once.

283 – Lamps – Purchase of –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No. 666, dated 28^th April, 1915, no purchase of lamps will take place until approval has been received in each case from Brigade Headquarters.

284 – Cookery Course –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No. 669, dated April 28^th, 1915, Officers Commanding Units will forward to Brigade Headquarters names of Non-commissioned Officers recommended to attend the Course as soon as possible.

285 – Barrack Detention Rooms –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No. 673, dated April 28^th, 1915, the necessary application will be forwarded by Officers Commanding Units to Brigade Headquarters without delay.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

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

NOTICE.

The Military Cross-Country Championship for the North-Eastern Counties will be held on the Newcastle Town Moor on Saturday, May 29^th.  teams representing Battalions will probably consist of 30 men with 20 to count.

Teams to represent the N.E. District in the forthcoming Northern Command Championship will be selected as a result of their positions in this event.

The General Officer Commanding hopes that each unit of the Brigade will send at least one team to compete.

Further particulars will be notified later.