BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
18th July, 1915.
521 – District Court-Martial –
The District Court-Martial directed to assemble in Brigade Order No. 494 of 11th July, 1915, of which Lieut.-Colonel P. Dunbar Stuart, 20th (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish) was President, is hereby dissolved.
522– Musketry Instruction – Course of –
Brigade Order No. 517 of July 17th, 1915, is cancelled and the following substituted:-
Officers Commanding Units will arrange to place one Platoon (including all Brigade, Garrison and Regimental employ) daily, commencing at 8-45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 20th, at the disposal of Captain Bulman, Brigade Musketry Officer. These Platoons will parade on the Pastures between “B” and “C” Camps.
The hours of instruction will be:-
From 9 a.m. to 12-30 p.m.
and From 2 o’clock to 4-30 p.m.
There will be no musketry on Friday afternoons, Friday morning and Saturday
morning counting as one day. Platoons will be armed with the short service rifle and bayonet, and should bring with them as many Aiming Rests, Aim-correctors, and Eye-Discs as possible.
Company Commanders and Seconds-in-Command of Companies will attend while one of the Platoons of their Companies is under instruction. Supernumerary Officers will attend with the Platoon to which they are attached. All Officers under instruction will be armed in similar manner to the rank and file.
All Non-commissioned Officers of the Brigade in possession of Musketry Certificates will report to Captain Bulman outside the Guard Room of the 20th (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish) at 9 a.m. on Monday next, the 19th instant.
523 – Screens – Casualty – Indents for –
Officers Commanding Units will forward indents, with as little delay as possible, to the
D.A.D.O.S.
34th Division,
RIPON.
for 40 casualty screens.
Authority, War Office letter 54/General Number/1965 (Q.M.G. 9), dated 13th July, 1915.
524 – Ammunition – Equipment (Mark VI, S.A.A.) –
Officers Commanding Units will arrange to hand over their Equipment Ammunition (Mark VI., S.A.A.) to the Officer Commanding, Grouped Depot Companies, the day prior to the move of the Brigade to Ripon, for transmission to the D.A.D.O.S., Newcastle Area, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
525 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
SUPPLY OF MOBILIZATION TABLES –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to the following:-
The first supply of Mobilization Store Table will be obtained from the A.D.O.S., Northern Command, but Officers Commanding are responsible for keeping up, by demand upon the Chief Ordnance Officer of their area, any further supplies that may be required after the first supply of a new edition has been received.
Command Order No. 840, dated 20th May, 1915, is hereby cancelled.
C.R.N.C. No. 59307 (O.F.). Northern Command Order No.1287.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
17th July, 1915.
515 – Corrigenda –
With reference to Brigade Order No. 506, of July 16th, 1915, for “vide” read “by” and for “draughts” read “drafts”.
516 – Brigade Musketry Officer – Attachment of –
Captain H. Bulman having reported his arrival on the 16th inst is attached to the Brigade as Brigade Musketry Officer from that date. He will be attached to the 20th (S.) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish) for quarters.
517 – Musketry –
Officers Commanding Units will arrange to place one Company (including all Brigade, Garrison and Regimental employ) daily at the disposal of Captain Bulman, Musketry Staff Officer who is now attached to the Brigade.
The Company so detailed will be struck off all other duty. The following is the allotment of days on which Battalions will supply a Company for Musketry:-
July 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd. 20th (S) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish.)
July 23rd, 24th, 26th and 27th. 21st (S.) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish.)
July 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st. 22nd (S.) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish.)
August 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. 23rd (S.) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish.)
All Non-commissioned Officers of the Brigade in possession of Musketry Certificates will report to Captain Bulman at the Orderly Room, 20th (S.) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish) at 9 a.m. on Monday next, 19th instant.
518 – Establishment – N.C.O.’S and Men Detached – Supernumerary to –
It is notified for information that all Non-commissioned Officers and men detached for duty at Divisional or Brigade Headquarters are to be considered as supernumerary to establishment of Battalions.
519– Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
LONDON GAZETTE –
The following extracts from the London Gazette of Tuesday, 13th July, 1915, are published for information:-
The Northumberland Fusiliers –
20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish). – The undermentioned to be temporary Second Lieutenants:-
Alexander Sim. Dated 9th June, 1915.
Andrew Hatch Jarman. Dated 10th June, 1915.
William Norman Richards. Dated 12th June, 1915.
23rd Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish). – William Norman Collings to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 19th May, 1915.
Alexandra, Princess of Wales’ Own (Yorkshire Regiment). 12th Battalion (Tees-side Pioneers). –
Frederick Reeh Taylor to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 5th May, 1915.
Northern Command Order No.1278.
520 – Command Orders – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Order No. 1279 of July 16th, 1915.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
16th July, 1915.
506 – Grouped Depot Companies –
Officers Commanding Units will at once take steps to fill up their Battalions to the New Establishment given in Brigade Order No. 496, dated 11th instant – vide drafts from the Depot Companies.
The Depot Companies of each Battalion will then be handed over to Colonel V.M. Stockley, who has been appointed to the Command of the combined Depot Companies, Tyneside Scottish Brigade.
2 Captains and 4 Subaltern Officers will be detailed for duty with each Depot Company. The remainder of the Officers, excluding those temporarily serving with the Home Service men in Newcastle, will remain with their own Battalions.
As soon as the first Depot Company of each Unit is completed, the second Depot Company will be formed, and Officers Commanding Units will on receiving a notification to this effect from the Officer Commanding the combined Depot Companies, arrange to detail the proper complement of Officers required for second Depot Companies.
It must be borne in mind that the Depot Companies will be required to find draughts for their own Battalions in the Field. It is, therefore, important, in selecting Officers and Non-commissioned Officers for duty with these Companies, that they must be suitable in all respects as regards imparting instruction.
Lieutenant-Colonel P.C. Dunbar Stuart, 20th (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish) will, in accordance with the orders of the Divisional Commander, take over Command of the 21st (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish) from Colonel V.M. Stockley forthwith, pending confirmation of the appointment by the War Office.
508 – Badges Cap and Shoulder –
It having come to the notice of the General Officer Commanding that a considerable number of the new issue of cap and shoulder badges are now missing, with a very detrimental result to the appearance of the Battalions on parade, Commanding Officers and Officers Commanding Companies and Platoons will impress upon the men that they will be held responsible for the badges issued to them. During War time badges to replace those lost and given away cannot be easily obtained – the labour in making badges can be much more usefully employed. Disciplinary action will in future be taken in all cases of selling or giving away a badge.
509 – Boots – Greasing of –
In future men’s boots will not be polished with blacking but well greased, in order to keep them in a thoroughly serviceable condition.
510 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
BAYONET FIGHTING EQUIPMENT –
Indents should be submitted to the Chief Ordnance Officers of the areas in which Units are serving for Bayonet Fighting Equipment to complete Units in Northern Command to the authorised scales. Issues will then be made from time to time as stocks admit.
Authority, War Office letter No. 54/Infantry/1296 (Q.M.G 9), dated 9th July, 1915.
C.R.N.C. No. 70618 (O.S.). Northern Command Order No.1275.
511 – Command Orders – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Orders 1273 and 1276 of 15th July, 1915.
512 – Extracts from Divisional Orders –
TRANSPORT –
Draught horses in G.S. wagons should not move out of a walk.
The practice of men riding on wagons other than the driver and a man under instruction is strictly forbidden.
Division Order No. 2, dated 15th July, 1915.
513 – Divisional Order – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Divisional Order No. 1, of 15th July,1915.
514 – Bounds –
The following Tyne Garrison Order is published for information:-
“BOUNDS,”
North Eastern Railway Station,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
The Central Station of the North Eastern Railwayat Newcastle-on-Tyne is placed out of bounds for soldiers not on a duty entailing their presence there, and those travelling from or arriving at Newcastle Station by train. Soldiers proceeding by train will, as soon as they have obtained their railway ticket, go at once to the platform from which their train leaves. Soldiers arriving by train will leave the Station premises without delay.
Another week has just slipped by bringing with it, inter alia, the great news about the flat, great news because I was so hoping that something might turn up before my next leave so that Eileen and I can go and have a good look round it before she goes there for good at the end of August – it’s all very exciting and it sounds from all accounts an absolute piece of cake – I’m just longing to see it – and the price for these days seems amazingly reasonable.
My week has been quite a varied one, from the actual work point of view it can never be described as particularly interesting – Monday probably was as good as most I’ve had out here – I was given rather an important job to do which meant visiting two of our HQ’s and the time limit meant only one thing namely that an air trip was necessary. I flew from here to one HQ – from there to the second and then back – it was a perfect day and the journey took us over some lovely country (I was in an Auster – one of the Artillery spotting planes) and also most interesting sight over the Ruhr. The first stop was Bad Godesberg of Chamberlain fame, where I had a super lunch with the General and the menu – not for my benefit but their usual – was lovely salmon mayonnaise, rissoles, creamed spinach, heart of lettuce, garden ps and new spuds – apricot jelly, strawberries and real thick cream, coffee and real cream, they do themselves very well. I will tell you more about it when I see you. I had tea the other day with John Stevens, he goes on leave the day before I do but I hope to meet him for a drink when I’m back – I wonder if John Leaning will be back – I do so hope he is.
On Thursday I found myself on night duty and as I was meal relief officer on Wednesday I wasn’t able to get out in the evening. Yesterday evening I went over to a guest night in another mess but did nothing but chat and have myself fairly plentifully supplied from the running buffet and the bar – I left at about 11 ocl as I was feeling a bit weary. My dear the heat these last few days – I’ve never known anything like it – today has been a real scorcher and I’ve made the most of it. Tim Roberts, Charles and I set off at 11.30 am for the Mohne Lake on which we spent a solid 4 hours canoeing and sunbathing – the whole day I’ve been clad in an open necked shirt, khaki shorts and stockings (and I’ve rather fancied myself in the rig-out. We took a sandwich lunch with us and had tea in the officers’ club, a very good tea it was too. When I got back I had a good bath and have now just had my dinner – I wisely kept my shirt on most of the afternoon but my knees got properly ‘burnt’ and tingle like anything – still it was a great day.
I never thanked you for your long and interesting letter of the 10th – many thanks – I was very pleased to hear that Louisa is better – it sounds as though it will be some time before Clacton is back on its feet again.
Only 10 more days now and I shall be back once again in the Borough – I shall also be back for the announcing of the result of the General Election – should I be prepared to coo and ring a bell or cheer and wave my blue favour? The latter I rather think. Yes it’s a great thought that I shall soon be back and I’m longing to see you again – yes, a game of tennis is most certainly indicated. I hope the weather is fine.
All this sun today has made me feel very sleepy so I must away to bed. My love to Par and Elli, my love to you and God bless,
Yours as ever
very affectionately
Peter
In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.
Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 16 JY 45. Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham.
On front of envelope Written July 15th 1945 rec July 19th 1945. (26)
Wipe inside & outside action with an oily rag & leave bore oily. Remove oil from bore & re-oil once a week.
Cleaning before firing Blank. All action wiped with oily rag & all traces of oil removed from bore taking care to leave bore quite dry.
Cleaning after firing Ball. Remove all superficial fouling. Pour 2 or 3 quarts of boiling water through bore from breech to muzzle. Stand to drain & then thoroughly dry. Allow to slightly cool & then lubricate. Remove oil & relubricate every alternative day for 10 days.
Cleaning after Firing Blank. Thoroughly remove superficial fouling & oil the bore. Repeat this the following day & resume daily cleaning.
Pull through.
Top loop for gauze if required.
2ng loop for flannelette
3rd loop for extracting in case of a jam.
Always pull through from breech to muzzle, taking care that cord does not rub against muzzle as this causes rifle to become bell mouthed or cord worn making rifle inaccurate.
When cleaning flannelette fits bore tightly, but when oiling use slightly smaller piece.
Use regulation flannelette only, about 4 x 2 inches
—-//—–
3 Rules for firing.
Rifle to be held upright.
Top of foresight to be in a level with shoulders of back sight.
Disengaged eye must be kept shut.
Aiming Instruction.
Sequence of Instruction.
Explain aiming & sights. Teach adjustment of sights.
Explain rules of aiming & show correct aim. Make men aim, check & explain errors. Give reasons for regulation sight & aiming at bottom centre of mark.
Test by Triangle of Error.
Rapidity of aim.
Aiming at Service Targets
Long range sights.
——//——
Reasons for Regulation or full sight.
Less likely to vary amount of fore-sight.
Facilitates a rapid aim.
Rifle so sighted.
Reasons for aiming at 6 o’clock.
Whole object in view.
Better for disappearing targets.
Rifle so sighted.
Better for observation.
Overcomes tendency of men to shoot high.
Movement Table.
Man walking 1 ft per 100 yds.
“ running 2 ft “ 100 yds.
“ horse trotting 3 ft “ 100 yds.
“ “ galloping 4 ft “ 100 yds.
Limit for man = 300 yds.
“ “ horse = 500 yds.
Trigger Pressing.
Sequence to be observed.
Give short lecture on importance of Trigger P.
Ascertain that men can work forefinger without moving rest of the hand.
Explain the grip of the rifle with right hand.
Point out the necessity of always using first joint of index finger & pressing lower part of trigger.
Show the 2 pressures by overhand method.
1st pressure = 3 to 4 lbs.
2nd “ = 5 “ 6 lbs.
Point out necessity of holding breath on taking 2nd pressure & declaring point of aim.
Foundation of Fire Discipline.
For above instructor needs as follows
Knowledge of Subject.
Ability to impart knowledge.
Patience.
Ability to detect faults.
N.B. Squads should not be more than 8 or 10 men.
General System of Teaching.
Explanation.
Illustration.
Imitation.
Participation.
Interrogation or Criticism.
Always teach by force of example than by word of command. Words of command should rarely be used. Teach & not drill. Position of teacher 5 paces from right front. Never touch a man in corrections.
Sequence of Instruction.
Inspection of Arms.
Formation in open squad.
Point out aiming mark.
Point out your own target.
Explain position about to teach.
Show position complete.
Teach loading & unloading positions.
Explain reasons.
Adjustment of sights.
Show adjoining position in explanation & always use sequence such as starting from the muzzle down to Butt & then from head to feet.
Common faults in all positions.
Eyes not on the mark.
Rifle not gripped with both hands.
Eye too close to cocking piece.
Whole of forefinger round the trigger.
Varying position of butt in shoulder.
Head inclined sideways.
Bolt not drawn back fully.
How to rectify No. 3 in prone position
Make man draw his chin in.
Raise the butt in the shoulder.
Make him lie straight behind the rifle.
If this all fails, give him a rifle with longer butt.
Visual Training.
At 400 yds a man will appear the size of the blade of the foresight M1 rifle M3 rifle 600 yds.
Judging distances & how to carry them out.
Explain various ways of Judging distances make men learn the unit of measure.
4 methods of Judging D.
By unit of measure.
By appearance of object.
By comparison with known objects.
Place men at known ranges to show heights of men at these distances, also to demonstrate visibility of different positions of height, light ground & back ground.
Anything which tends to show up this object will tend to underestimate the range such as: –
Sun behind firer.
Object & back ground of different colours.
Object & back ground large & distinct.
Clear light. If ground is flat with no detail an idea of nearness is conveyed.
Practice men on distances up to 800 yards.
Leader & scouts up to 1400.
Close study of ground & use of ground.
Suitable formations of men.
Night training.
Neutral tint of uniforms & smokeless powder.
Misuse of glasses.
These are used in a wrong manner, such as in a large expanse of ground which limits only the vision.
Glasses should be used thus
For searching particular piece of ground.
Confirming the eyesight.
Sequence of Visual Instruction.
“Boer”
B stands for Barracks.
Lectures in Barracks.
Space void
Military vocabulary.
Training in landscape targets.
O = open country.
Make men pick out & describe certain positions
Send out men to fire blank & move about.
Make squads in positions locate each other.
E. Examination of ground.
R = Recognition.
Programme of Instruction.
Grouping Practice
Application
Snap shooting & moving targets.
Observation practice. All the above constitute for individual firing.
Trailing leader in duties of fire direction & control.
Training men in duties of fire discipline
This means firing a number of rounds at a well defined aiming mark without alteration of sights or point of aim.
……………………..
Some groups & what they mean.
A widely scattered group indicates unsteadiness.
A High group shows tendency to flinch.
A low left indicates jerking of trigger.
Analysis of faults.
Rats
R. Rifle.
A. Aim.
T. Trigger Pressure.
S. Sights.
Application
i.e. Applying shots to definite mark.
Snap Shooting.
At first use figure targets 4 to 6 seconds. Figure of man 4 inches high is similar to that of man 400 yds.
As each man reaches a firing point the instructor should question him as to the other elevations needed & allowance for wind.
Remind him to declare his point of aim.
Duties during firing.
Instructor should watch the fire & not the target. Refrain from speaking till shot is fired. Watch for the following faults.
Loss of grip.
Eyes & face
Position of Butt.
Trigger Pressure.
Duties after firing.
Call on man to declare his point of aim & when result is signalled, ask him to explain cause of error.
Distance in yds
Mild Wind
Fresh Wind
Strong Wind
500 yds 1000 yds 1500 “ 2000 “
2 ft 3 yds 6 yds 12 yds
4 ft 6 yds 12 yds 24 yds
6 ft 9 yds 18 yds 36 yds
Tests of Elementary Training.
These tests should be carried out after preliminary training & before a man fires.
Objects of Tests.
To make certain a man is fit to fire on the range.
Provide a means of keeping men fit.
A definite standard is given, which men must reach in their own time if necessary.
These tests are divided up as follows.
Oral Tests
Inspection.
Standard.
Other important tests are
Rapidity of loading.
“ “ aiming
“ “ firing.
Oral Tests.
Care of Arms & Ammunition. Few questions should be put to each man.
Description of natural objects.
Each man is called upon separately to describe 1 or 2 objects in landscape. A question as to size, shape or colour & Unit of measure should be asked.
General Theoretical Knowledge.
A few questions be put to each man regarding the object & reason for various details.
Inspection Tests.
Firing Position.
Each man should be inspected in all positions & existence if any of any of the following faults should be noted in a book for promotion in future tests.
Firing from left shoulder.
Eye near the cocking piece or thumb too near the bolt.
The grip on either hand .
Excessive Constraint.
Finger round trigger when in loading position.
Oral
Care of Arms & Ammunition.
Description of objects & military Vocab.
Theoretical Knowledge.
Inspection.
Firing Position.
Preparation of cover.
Fire Discipline.
Passing of messages.
Standard.
Eyesight.
Recognition of targets
Judging distances
Adjustment of sights (3 seconds)
Knowledge of Regulation aim.
Trigger Pressure.
Aiming off wind and movement.
Rapidity of aim.
“ “ loading.
Lecture on Fire.
In war Fire is everything. It is therefore essential, that every leader should see that the firer of his unit is used to the best possible advantage. To make this possible fire discipline control & fire orders should first be taught as an instructional exercise & then should be combined with all the field training that is carried out. Remember that people only do in war that which has become a habit in peace. So that to get these subjects properly carried out in war time, they must be constantly practiced in peace.
Fire Orders.
Fire organization order. For special cover, given by higher commander to Artillery, Machine Gun & special detailed bodies of infantry.
Fire direction orders. These are orders given by the commander of 2 or more units, but do not include the executive command to fire. These should, however contain the range, because the higher command is usually in touch with range finders.
Fire control orders. These orders are given by commanders who actually give orders to fire.
The range is first given
Once the sights are adjusted, men need not look from target.
Men having set their sights can concentrate their whole attention on recognising the target.
Men having been trained in distance judging. The knowledge of the range enables them to limit the area to be searched.
Kinds of Fire.
Concentration. When all the rifles are pointed at one mark.
Distribution. (used up to 600 yds)
Maximum. When each man fires directly at his own front.
Partial (exceed 600 yds) When sections or platoons fire between 2 given points.
Herewith we beg to hand you copy of letter received from Colonel Wellesley in respect of your brother who was injured on the 12th inst.
Yours faithfully,
CHARLES COMINS & CO.
Initialled
COPY.
July 12th
Dear Mr. Comins,
I am sorry to have to tell you that your son was wounded yesterday – but fortunately the wound is only slight, and the Medical Officer tells me that he ought only to be laid up for a very few days. He was in the Trenches as Forward Officer with the Infantry, when a German high-explosive shell burst near him and wounded him and also an Infantry Officer and a Private. He was hit in three places, on the face, arm and leg, but thank God all the wounds are slight.
I saw him almost immediately afterwards and he was very plucky about it and quite cheerful – and was able to walk back to the Dressing Station. He is now at the Field Ambulance near here, and I hope that he will soon be back with us again.
Your son is getting on very well indeed in his Battery: we are lucky in the Brigade in having so many Officers who are so keen about their work.
Things are fairly quiet in this part of the front at present, but of course we are always kept busy!
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
15th JULY, 1915.
504 – Grenadiers – Training of –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to the “Memorandum on the Training and Employment of Grenadiers” issued with these orders. The necessary steps will be taken as regards the selection and training of Officers and Men forthwith.
505– Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
“LONDON GAZETTE” –
The following extracts from the Third Supplement to the London Gazette of Friday, the 9th of July, 1915, are published for information:-
The Northumberland Fusiliers –
21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish). – Temporary Captain John W.E. Murray is transferred to the General List for service as a Brigade Machine-gun Officer. Dated 19th June, 1915.
23rd Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish). – Ernest Harington Hawes to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 19th May, 1915.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
14th July, 1915.
501 – Dummy Cartridges – Indents for –
Officers Commanding Units will forward to these Headquarters without delay indents on the Chief Ordnance Officer, Ripon, for 2,500 Dummy Cartridges.
502– Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
“LONDON GAZETTE” –
The following extract from the Second Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Friday, the 9th July, 1915, is published for information:-
The Northumberland Fusiliers –
22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish). – James Muir Robson to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 2nd June, 1915.
MUSKETRY –
Command Orders Nos. 477 and 784, dated 27th March, 1915, and 14th May, 1915, respectively, are re-published for the information of 3rd Line and Newly-Formed Units.
MUSKETRY FORMS – The following Army Forms and Books will be kept by Reserve Cavalry Regiments, Yeomanry Regiments, Royal Engineer Field Companies and Signal Units, and all Infantry Battalions throughout the Command when firing the Musketry Course approved to be carried out.
Army Forms. Army Books
B. 62 Collective Field Pracs Register. 99 (Company Commanders Ammn. Diary).
B. 68 Grouping Practice Register.
B.189 Company Commanders Roll 100 (Asst. Adjt. Ammn. Diary).
B. 190 Butt Register.
B. 192. Company Annual Return.
Vide Musketry Regulations 1914, Part I., Chapter IX.
2. Indents for a supply of these Forms and Books should be made by Units direct to the Secretary, War Office.
(G.M.)
AIMING MARK – GROUPING –
For all Units firing with Mark VI. ammunition from the long rifle sighted for Mark VII. ammunition, the centre of the bull’s-eye will in future be placed six inches below the centre of the second class instructional target, and not on its centre as hitherto.
This aiming mark is only to be used for the grouping practices at 100 yards, viz., Practices 1 and 2 of Part I and the first practice of Part III of the General Musketry Course. For all other practices no alteration is to be made in the existing aiming marks or targets.
Authority, War Office letter 54/General Number/1908 (M.T. 2), dated 10th May, 1915.
C.R.N.C. No. 53183 (G.M.). Northern Command Order No.1252.
CLOTHING –
Officers Commanding Units raised by individuals or Municipalities will report to Headquarters, Northern Command, York, not later than 18th July, 1915, whether they are cognisant of, and in possession of Command Orders Nos. 150, of 2nd February, and 912, of 30th M ay, 1915.
The number of this Order to be quoted.
C.R.N.C. 38987/6/2 (O.S.). Northern Command Order No.1259.
TRANSFERS – DOCUMENTS –
The greatest care must be taken to ensure that documents of men transferred are completed in every respect, and that notification is sent to the new Unit of date and hour of arrival of all details.
C.R.N.C. No. 67878 (A.). Northern Command Order No.1261.
503 –Command Orders – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Orders 1256 and 1263 of 13th July, 1915.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
13th July, 1915.
498 – District Court-Martial –
With reference to Brigade Order No. 495, dated 11th July, 1915, the accused persons marginally named will also be tried by this Court.
In the margin. No. 21/247 Pte. W.F. Weatherett., 21st (S.) Btn, Northd. Fus. (2nd Tyneside Scottish), No 21/814 Corporal Thomas Turner, 21st (S.) Btn, Northd. Fus. (2nd Tyneside Scottish), and No. 22/1519, Pte. James Twist, 22nd (S.) Battalion, Northd. Fus. (3rd Tyneside Scottish),
499– Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
APPOINTMENT – STAFF –
Captain and Temporary Major C.J.H. Gardner, 21st (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, has been appointed D.A.A.G., Northern Command, with effect from the 30th June, 1915, vice Major C.S. Simonds, R.G.A., appointed to Command the County Palatine Divisional Artillery.
(M.S.) Northern Command Order No.1242.
500 – Command Order – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Order No. 1248 of 12th July, 1915.
This is just a wee ‘interim’ note to tell you how delighted I was on Tuesday to receive the good news about the flat and to hear your other topics of interest. Yes I am very relieved indeed to know that something has been fixed and I can’t thank you enough for all the trouble you have taken – you did exactly the right thing. All being well Eileen will have viewed the premises today and I’m longing to hear what she says about it. Your description was excellent – if it’s only half as good as that it will be first class.
Sorry this is so short but it is written in some haste – All my news on Sunday. Much love, Maz dear, here’s to the 25th – only another 12 days –
Yours as ever
very affectionately
Peter
In envelope headed ‘O A S’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.
Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 13 JY 45. Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham.
On front of envelope Written July 12th 1945 rec July 16th 1945. (25)
The Bay Museum & Research Facility 