33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 127
33rd Battalion A.I.F.
Routine order No.127
By
Lt-Col LJ Morshead
Commanding
Armentières 6-12-16
COMPANY LEWIS GUNNERS1239
One NCO and six men of the Company Lewis Gun Section and Battalion Headquarters Lewis Gunners are report to Lt Chapman at B Cos. billets at 10 am 6-12-16.
INSTRUCTIONS RE DUTIES 1240
In future every Officer, N.C.O. or man told off to report at Battalion Headquarters for a school, or any duty, must be given orders in writing saying:-
1. To whom he is to report.
2. Where he has to report.
3. When he has to report.
4. The duty for which he has to report.
All N.C.O's and men must be inspected by a Company Officer, or C.S.M., who must satisfy himself that the men has his instructions, that he is properly equipped, clean and shaven, and has his rations for the day with him. Men detailed as above must be punctual.
BADGES 1241
Men who lose their badges must at once be made to pay for them. The certainty that a man will have to pay for a lost badge is the only effective deterrent against carelessness in keeping badges. C.Q.M. Sergeants to be so instructed.
CADET SCHOOL TIDWORTH1242
The following is the result of Cadet School of Instruction, Kandaher Barracks, Tidworth from
23rd October to 16th November, 1916
Cpl. ECP Thomas 90.1%
Sgt. IG Dight 87.1%
Sgt. HM Buntine 84.6%
Lance Cpl. W Mclean 83.4%
CQMS HS Mclean 83.1%
SNIPING SCHOOL 1245
The undermentioned man has been detailed to attend 48th Course at Second Army School of Sniping at Mont des Cats from 9th to 15th December, 1916.
No. 973 Pte. WEA Phifer C Co.
MAIL CENSORSHIP 1246
Mail will now be received for dispatch to Field Post Office. All letters are to be read and censored by an officer before being forwarded to Battalion Headquarters to be stamped. The officer censoring letters will sign his name at the bottom left hand corner of the envelope but will not state his rank.
Lt. WJC Duncan has been appointed Battalion sensor.
Battalion mail matter must be made up and handed into Battalion Headquarters by noon daily.
LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION 1247
The following extract from G.S. Circular 5A is to be read to all troops on parade.
"Company Commanders will ensure that special and repeated instructions are given to those under your command with reference to the discussion of projected operations.
It has recently come to notice that the operations with reference to offensive action against the enemy have been freely discussed by the troops in estaminets and elsewhere.
It must be clearly pointed out that this action, whether inadvertent or wilful, troops jeopardise our chances of success and are likely to cause us heavy casualties.
Recent instances have come to light where soldiers in estaminets in Steenwerck have discussed the emission of gas and a driver of the Royal Field Artillery stated in an estaminet at Nieppe that gas was to be released on a certain night now past. Exemplary punishments will be inflicted on any who wilfully or carelessly neglect to obey the provisions of this circular."
LEWIS GUN COURSE 1248
The undermentioned NCOs have been detailed to attend a Lewis Gun class at Le Touquet assembling on 11th inst. Companies must arrange for men to hold themselves in readiness to report to Battalion Headquarters on Sunday 10th inst. and afterwards to Brigade Headquarters whence they will be transported by motorbus.
No. 30. L/Cpl N Clifton
No. 508. Cpl R White
WORKING PARTIES 1249
Care must be taken that parties detailed for work with 9th Field Company Engineers, are given their breakfast before leaving billets and that they carry their midday ration with them. Particular care must be taken that parties are punctual. Enquiries should be made beforehand to ensure that they can find their way to meeting place.
DAILY DUTIES 1250
Subaltern of the day: Lt. LCB Smith
Next for duty: S/Lt. WT McKenzie
Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. SR Nelson
Next for duty: Sgt. RN Genge
Regimental Orderly Corporal: Cpl. LH Young
Next for duty: Cpl. CSL Byrne
INLYING PICQUET 1251
When the Battalion is for duty - an inlying picquet of one company will be furnished, mounting at 5 pm and remaining on duty till 7 am the following morning. They must sleep with arms and equipment at their sides and be ready to turn out at any moment. This duty will be found by companies in rotation.
(Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.
33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary