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.

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

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

6^th MARCH, 1915.

161 – Clothing – Immediate Issue of, on Joining –

            The War Office point out in circular letter 54/General Number/Q.M.G.7/, dated 3^rd March, 1915, that in spite of constant and frequent communications having been made emphasising the necessity of completing troops with Service dress, the weekly reports received show invariably a number of men without Service dress.

The attention of O.C. Units of this Brigade has on previous occasions been drawn to this matter.  Officers Commanding Battalions will at once take steps to ensure that every man on the day of joining their Battalion is immediately clothed in Service Dress.  This order is to be rigidly carried out.  To ensure this being done without fail a sufficient stock of surplus clothing (and necessaries) will be kept in the Quarter Master stores both with the Headquarters of the Unit and with the Depot Company.

Should the Brigade Storekeeper be unable to supply at once the clothing, the Commanding Officer concerned will be held personally responsible that an indent is immediately forwarded to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, for the supply required.  Should the stores be unobtainable from York, a report to that effect will be made to this office.

162 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

PERISCOPES – ISSUE OF –

            It has been decided to issue Periscopes, on the scale of 12 per Infantry Battalion, to all units of the New Armies and Territorial Force proceeding to the Continent of Europe.

The mobilization store table for these units, as detailed below, should be amended by inserting the above item under Section No. 15 B. and the equipments adjusted accordingly.

Army Form G. 1098-110, dated January, 1915.

Army Form G1098-43A, dated February, 1915.

Authority, 84/W/6063 (Q.M.GF. 10), dated War Office, 27^th February, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 46157(O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.315.

AMENDMENTS –

The following amendment should be made to Army Form G/1096-34 Inventory Form for Wagons G.S. Special 14 feet long:-

Under sub heading of “Spare Parts” –

Insert Blocks, brake (Front 2, Rear 2), in seat box.

Brake Bars will be allowed spare at the rate of 5 per cent., but these items will not be mentioned on the inventory.  For purpose of Indents. The nomenclature of this store is:-

“Bar, brake wagon G.S. special, 14 feet long.”

Authority, 57/3/4503 (A.3), dated War Office 27^th February, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 46144 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order, No.317.

BICYCLES –

            It has been decided that only the Service patterns Bicycle is suitable for service overseas, and that when units are ordered to proceed there, they may be so equipped.

Non-service machines are suitable for Home service, and any displaced by the issue of Service patterns should either be returned to store or passed to the Reserve Unit as directed in Command Order No. 252, dated 22^nd February, 1915.

Authority, 57/Aldershot/8858 (A.3.), dated War Office, 27^th February, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 38021/15/6 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.320.

APPLICATION FOR SUPPLY OF STORES –

            Attention is again called to the frequency with which application for Supply of stores and ordinary routine correspondence are forwarded to Headquarters. Northern Command.

Much unnecessary correspondence is caused thereby.

All such communications should be addressed to the Chief Ordinance Officer, York, under paragraph 18, Equipment Regulations, Part 1.

C.R.N.C. No. 46388 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.321.

ALLOTMENTS OF PAY – DEPENDANTS OF SOLDIERS –

            It is notified to all concerned that in all cases where a soldier offers an Allotment of Pay on A.F.O. 1838 in support of an application for Separation Allowance for a dependant under Army Order 440/14, the Officer Commanding should take steps to regulate the cash issues to the soldier in accordance with the amount allotted from the date of application (or date of  enlistment of [if] application is made within 10 days of that date).           

Authority, War Office letter No. 46/203 (Accounts 3 c), dated 24/2/15.

C.R.N.C. No. 45374.  Northern Command Order No.323.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

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

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

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

5^th MARCH, 1915.

156 – Increased Accommodation –

            No schools, halls, or other buildings at present occupied by Battalions of this Brigade are to be evacuated without written orders from this office.  Commanding Officers of Units will take immediate steps to ensure that in no case whatever is an allowance of space of less than 30 super feet per man available.  Should it be found after measurement that further accommodation is required, application will be at once made by telephone to this office.

157 – Medical Aid on Furlough –

            The following extract from War Office letter is published for information:-

“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.

“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.”

Authority, W.O. letter No. 93/1056 (F.2.), dated 23^rd February, 1915.

158 – Attachment –

In accordance with orders received the Unit named below will be attached to this Brigade from this date:-

12^th (Service) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Tees-side).

Authority 20 – General No. – 3592 (A.G.I.)

159 – Arms – Issue of –

            An issue of M.L.E. rifles to the Battalions of this Brigade will be made as follows:-

600 per Battalion.

Sword bayonets, pattern ’88 will be issued in similar numbers.

Officers Commanding Units will submit indents at once to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, showing the rifles and bayonets (if any) of this description already in possession, and demanding balance to complete.

Authority, telegram, O.1494 (A.D.O.S.) Northern Command.

160 – Barbed Wire –

            Officers Commanding Units will indent on the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, without loss of time, for barbed wire required for (practice purposes) entanglements.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

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

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

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

4^th MARCH, 1915.

153 – Infectious Diseases – Weekly Return of –

            Attention is again drawn to Northern Command Order No. 216 of 1915, and returns will be posted without fail so as to reach this office by first post on Friday.  “Nil” returns to be rendered when no cases have occurred.

154 – Soap – Supplies of –

             Officers Commanding Units will indent on the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, for the necessary supplies of soap, sanctioned, as a first issue, sanctioned under Para. 380, Equipment Regulations, Part 1, 1912.

For subsequent issues see Northern Command Order No. 224.

155 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

“LONDON GAZETTE”

The following extract from the Third Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Tuesday, the 23^rd of February, 1915, is published for information:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers

23^rd Battalion (4^th Tyneside Scottish). –  The undermentioned temporary Second Lieutenants to be temporary Lieutenants:-

Joseph B. Cubey.  Dated 1^st January, 1915.

Creassey R. Longhurst.  Dated 2^nd January, 1915.

Frank Milburn.  Dated 4^th January, 1915.

Henry D. Whittaker.  Dated 5^th January, 1915.

Sydney Smith.  Dated 6^th January, 1915.

Russell Phillips.  Dated 7^th January, 1915.

Henry A. Bolton.  Dated 8^th January, 1915.

Robert J. Dougal.  Dated 9^th January, 1915.

John H. Patterson.  Dated 11^th January, 1915.

AMMUNITION – BLANK –

It is notified for information of all concerned that the issue of blank ammunition for IV. and V. New Army Units cannot at present be Authorised, but the matter is receiving full consideration.

Authority, 54/General Number/1799 (M.T.2.), dated 23^rd February, 1915.

C.R. No. 45127 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.306.

EXCHANGE OF FRENCH NOTES –

It is notified for information that arrangements have been made with the General Post Office for the acceptance and exchange at any Post Office in the United Kingdom, of French Notes sent or brought Home by soldiers from France.

The rate of exchange is 9 ½ d. (ninepence halfpenny) per franc.

Notices should be posted in all Military Hospitals to the above effect.

Northern Command Order No.310.

HORSES – DESPATCH OF FROM REMOUNT DEPOTS –

1. It is notified for information that Remount Depots are experiencing great inconvenience owing to units wiring to say that they are not ready to take animals that are despatched to them.
2. No animals are issued to units unless intimation has been received from the units or from the Divisional or Brigade Commanders concerned that they are ready for horses.  The number of horses and mules in various Remount Depots is very great, and the number coming and going to be dealt with is such that the organisation can only be handled if they are issued at once in accordance with orders received or co-ordinated from the War Office.  I am, therefore, to say that Remount Depot Commanders have been informed that the first and last communication that should pass between them and the unit to which they are issuing horses is a telegram from the Depot saying that the animals have been despatched and stating probable time of their arrival.
3. Commanding Officers are directed to revive the horses sent to them, and if they have any objections to make to communicate them to Command Headquarters, and not to Deputy Assistant Director of Remounts of Circles or to Depot Superintendents.
4. All applications for horses should be forwarded to Command Headquarters, stating in the case of horses for Officers their weight and height.  The name of the station to which horses should be consigned must always be stated.

Authority, War Office letter No. R.1418 (Q.M.G.4.), dated 26^th February, 1915.

C.R. No. 46034 (R.).  Northern Command Order No.312.

LECTURES ON PRESERVATION OF HEALTH –

Arrangements have been made for lectures to be given to the Troops in all Garrisons on “Preservation of Health.”

Commanding Officers should communicate with Major T. Wardrop Griffith, Royal Army Medical Corps (T), Organizing Secretary, 43, Park Square, Leeds, stating date and hour when it will be convenient for their men to be lectured, when arrangements will be made accordingly by Major Griffith.

Northern Command Order No.313

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

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

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

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

3^rd MARCH, 1915.

151 – District Court-Martial –

            The detail of officers as mentioned in Brigade Order No. 144, dated 26^th February, 1915 will re-assemble at the Orderly Room, Newburn, on Saturday, March 6^th, at 10 30 a.m., for the purpose of trying by a District Court-Martial the accused person 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 Officers Commanding 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Battalions, Tyneside Scottish, will each detail three officers to attend for instructional purposes.

The accused named in the margin was Regt. Sergt.-Major Alfred George Minter, 22^nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (3^rd Tyneside Scottish).

152 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

STORE – PRICES OF

            It has been decided to adhere to Vocabulary Rates as the basis of unworn value in assessing charges for deficiencies against the soldier.

Authority, War Office letter No. 15/15 (Q.M.G.F.b.), dated 22^nd February, 1915.

C.R. No. 43386 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.296.

CORRESPONDENCE – POSTAGE TO BE PREPAID –

Postage must be prepaid on all correspondence, etc., in ordinary “O.H.M.S.” covers sent to Command Headquarters and Departmental Offices by Units.

The payment of surcharges causes much inconvenience and delay, and should be avoided as far as possible.

C.R. No. 45649 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.297.

SICK LEAVE – OFFICERS –

To obviate the necessity of ordering medical boards on officers when the leave likely to be granted is under one month, Divisional and Brigade Commanders are empowered to grant leave up to one month on medical certificate, Army Form B. 175.

Command Order No. 973 is hereby cancelled.

C.R. No. 42898 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.298.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES – WEEKLY RETURN OF –

Attention is drawn to Command Order No. 216 of 1915, which must be strictly complied with.

Northern Command Order No. 301.

CANADIAN HORSES – UNITS ISSUED WITH –

            It is notified for information that Canadian horses issued to units have usually somewhat tender feet.  Great care should therefore be taken that they are not put to fast work on hard roads until their feet have time to get thoroughly hardened.

Northern Command Order No. 304.

BOOTS – ANKLE –

With reference to Command Order No. 256, dated the 22^nd February, 1915, it has now been decided that in the event of regulation pattern boots not being available, the Standard No. 1 pattern may be taken by men proceeding to join the Expeditionary Force.

Authority, War Office letter A.C.D./Boots/10(R.A.C.D.), dated 23^rd February, 1915.

C.R. No. 44617 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.300.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

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

Dick-Cunyngham letter to wife dated 30 Mar 1915

Our Wedding Day

My own darling one,

Must scribble a line somehow. Your 2 dear letters today.  I have kept the nice long one in my pocket all day.  Read it last night & took it to bed with me meaning to read it again but I fell asleep.  Read it again this morning – my only peaceful time to myself – viz – usual *** after breakfast!! & another dear one this morning.

Duly cake delicious arrived yesterday – had some for tea.  Am feeling wonderfully fit in spite of practically no sleep or rest – we start out 1 a.m.  General went to bed 7 p.m. – I did not get back till 8 p.m. & got up at 12.15 a.m. it’s now 9.15 p.m.!  So think I must try for a little sleep – but how could I pass this day without a line to my darling one – the dear memories of our happy times at Abagain & all the happy days we spent there.  Darling one – about the message by all means take it up but find out first how long it really take to be proficient.  Yes I think you are right there must be a great shortage of masseuse – you are sweet my darling one, always thinking of what you can do for others –  wish I could think same like – Dear Freddie’s remarks are I fear fairly true!  I have often wondered myself how Geoff & I have remained here – the old man – my nickname for him is “Systematic Joe” – has been terrible the last few days – I have worked like a slave – & he never seems satisfied – but I have refused “to kick against the pricks” – it has been hard at times – & every night I pray that I may be able to carry on and do my work as he expects – but it is very hard.  I fear he doesn’t realise things a bit – if I did all he expects I should want at least 48 hours for every 24 – my darling why should I complain on this happy day – we are having glorious weather here – the country peep from my window is very nice and the lake & moat nice blue water – I’m getting rather attached to Mont K.

All your news of Regt is most interesting, glad Johnnie Stansfeld is not bad – well my darling – sleep or work – which I wonder. Have enough work to keep me up till 12 – feel very inclined to do some more & then doss in a chair till 12.30 a.m. & then walk round trenches.

All my love precious one Yr ***        Jimmie

With envelope addressed to Mrs J. Dick Cunyngham, Heslington, Croft Road. Crowborough, England.  Signed Dick Cunyngham.  Passed by Censor No 1354 cachet.  Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 14.  30 MR 15.

George Ryan’s letter home dated 25 Mar 1915

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

25 Mar 1915

Dear Edie,

Your letter of 24^th Feb received.  I hope you use all your fingers on the type-writer.  It’s very nicely done & set out but never type your name at the end.  Always sign a letter, else it might come from anybody for all the receiver knows.  (Ahem.)  Hope you passed your shorthand exam.  No, I didn’t know I’d got any certs to come, I’d forgotten all about sitting for those exams.  Please let me know what certs they are & for what speed.

Should like to have seen & heard you playing your duet with Mr. Beake, I suppose he saw you home safely afterwards.

Sorry to hear you have to work an hour longer; I suppose you miss your early evening class.

Remember me to Alf Tyrrell

Yr loving brother

George XX

George Ryan’s letter home dated 25 Mar 1915

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

25 Mar 1915

Dear May,

Your letter of 25^th Feb to hand but what was the matter when you wrote it.  You miss out a word in the very first line, you miss a whole line at the bottom of the page, & sundry other slips etc.  Are you in love or were you in a hurry to get out.  Judging by your writing I should say you were in a terrific hurry.  You also commence by saying you’ve got nothing to tell me & then fill up 2 pages.  But you are not the only one that does that; Ma did it the other week.  It’s not a very cheerful thing to read at the beginning of a letter.

Glad to hear you are to be made a book keeper. I hope it will be at W.G. as you want it there.

We had a race-meeting here last Saturday. It seemed quite like London to see so many motors about; & they do fly along.  Apparently there’s no speed limit out here.  The R.F.A. (Royal Field Artillery) had one race at the meeting for a few of their horses.  There’s another meeting next Saturday.

You need not be afraid of me getting fat. We get plenty of exercise & any “overweight” is soon sweated out of us.  It is hot here now.

Y^r loving brother

George XX

George Ryan’s letter home dated 25 Mar 1915

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

25 Mar 1915

Dear M & F,

Thanks for your note at the foot of Edie’s letter of Feb 26^th.  I had a letter from Bert at Rouen; I expect he’s in the thick of it now.

Well as you see we are still here. We shan’t leave this week now; we expect to go next Thursday.  This place doesn’t seem to have agreed with me this last week, my inside has been a bit out of order.  I’ve had a few doses of medicine & feel almost right again now.  But I think the change of air will do me good.

We had a thunderstorm every evening this week. (Perhaps it was that that upset me.)  One night the lightning was very vivid; every 4 or 5 seconds, it fairly lit up the whole place, & the rain comes down in sheets.

Further news in girls’ letters.

Hoping you are all well, Love to all,

Yr affec son

George

I suppose you are keeping all my letters?

George Ryan’s letter home dated 31 Mar 1915

Barrackpore

Bengal

India.

31 Mar 1915

Dear M & F,

Your letter of Mar 5^th received.  Thank you for the Easter Card.  It’s the first mail we’ve received direct here & it’s arrived in record time, the letters only taking 22 days.  You do not say whether you received the pound from the office; (on the 1^st Mar).  I suppose you did, but please let me know.  You evidently mis-understood my letter that you were answering, it was my fault I expect: when I’ve mentioned about getting wet through I’ve meant with perspiration, not rain.  We do not have to wear our tunics now, except on Church Parade.  We wear our equipment over our shirts so it’s much cooler.  It would look funny in England, soldiers marching about in shirt sleeves, but there’s nobody round here to see us.  Of course we have to wear our tunics outside the barracks, when we are not on parade.

Well, as you see, we have not gone to Darjeeling yet & we’ve no idea yet when we are going.  It might mean that we are all going to leave here soon, but there’s no telling.  As you know was the case when we left Dinapore, we are not given a month’s notice to shift.  We shall be here one day & a few hundreds of miles away the next.  By the way it’s been rumoured this last week that we should be leaving shortly for somewhere on the Persian Gulf, but that’s all it is at present – a rumour.

We’ve had some more thunderstorms this week: they are a sight. Flashes of lightning every 3 or 4 seconds & they light up the whole place as if by a flash of a big arc lamp & it lasts for hours sometimes.  I was on guard y’day & it looked as if we were in for it again in the evening; there was a little lightening but it all blew over & turned out a glorious night.  It was lovely between 1 & 3 a.m. when I was on duty, full moon shining; all the same I thought of my nice soft bed at 8 B. Rd & so I did between 3 & 6 when I tried to get some sleep.  I gave it up about 5 & tried to catch a few of the mosquitoes that had got into my net.  You can’t sleep once one of those things get into your net.

You made my mouth water at mention of your marmalade. We have to pay 7^d a tin for it here & 9^d for jam.  They are only small tins.  They say they contain 1 lb but I reckon it’s a jolly short pound.

Hoping you are all well.

Love to all,

George