Topic: AIF - Lighthorse
Australian Light Horse
Roles within the Regiment
Orderly Room Clerk
The following entries dealing with the roles and duties within the hierarchy of a light horse regiment are extracted from a very informative handbook called The Bushman’s Military Guide, 1898. While written in 1898, the information contained in the entries held true for the next twenty years with only minor modifications with the principles remaining as current then as now.
Orderly Room Clerk
12. Orderly Room Clerk.
(1.) He will be held responsible that the proper office hours are kept, and that any clerks under him are punctual.
(2.) He will register all correspondence immediately on receipt of same.
(3.) His position is one of great trust, confidence, and responsibility, requiring the utmost punctuality, steadiness, and propriety of conduct. He will not be interfered with by squadron or troop officers in his capacity as Orderly-room Sergeant, and will attend only to such orders as he may receive from the Adjutant of the regiment.
(4.) He will on no account communicate or disclose any correspondence or other matters coming under his observation, or within his knowledge as Orderly-room Sergeant; nor is he to show or allow any letters or offer documents to be copied without the authority of the Adjutant.
(5.) He will see that the office is ready to commence work by 9 a.m. daily.
(6.) He will be careful that there is no waste of stationery, that all forms, etc., are kept in their proper place, and that a sufficient supply of pens, ink, etc., is available for use at all times.
(7.) He will keep a correct record of all incoming and outgoing correspondence having reference to the drill and discipline of the regiment. No document to leave the office until duly recorded.
(8.) He will compile all returns having regard to drill and discipline regularly, so that all such returns reach their destination on the date they are due.
(9.) He will see that all General and Regimental Orders are duly despatched to officers commanding regimental units, and that a copy of each is put in the Commanding Officer's and Adjutant's room.
(10.) He will keep all books having reference to drill and discipline in a methodical manner in accordance with the system laid down.
(11.) He will have nominal lists of the different ranks of officers and non-commissioned officers, arranged by seniority, and "Permanent Section Rolls" neatly written, and hung up in the orderly-room corrected to date, particulars as to date of promotion, and passing examination to be shown.
(12.) When the regiment is undergoing instruction at encampments, etc., he will see that a suitable tent is provided, and that provision is made for carrying on the routine office work of the regiment. It will not be necessary to bring large books to a Camp of instruction, but sufficient stationery to keep records, states to be rendered, regimental order books (rough), and camp forms for guards, etc., etc.
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Further Reading:
Citation: Australian Light Horse, Roles within the Regiment, Orderly Room Clerk
