Topic: AIF - Lighthorse
Australian Light Horse
Roles within the Regiment
Relieving and Posting
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.
Relieving and Posting
(1.) On the approach of the relief, a sentry will place himself with shouldered arms in front of his sentry-box. The corporal of the relief will proceed as follows:
"Shoulder-Arms."At about 10 paces from the sentry.
"Relief, Halt."At about 6 paces from the sentry.
"Sentries, Port - Arms."The old sentry, and the man who is to relieve him, will port arms, the latter moving out from the relief and placing himself at 1 pace from the former, facing him; the old sentry will then give over his orders, the corporal referring to the board of orders to see if they are correctly given.
"Pass."The old sentry will take 1 pace to his left, and then move to his place in the relief, turning to the rear, and the new sentry will take 1 pace to his front.
"Shoulder-Arms.""Front."
The sentries will then be ordered to shoulder arms and front.
"Relief Quick - March.""Support - Arms."
The relief will be marched on, and, when it has proceeded about 10 pares, will be ordered to support arms.
(2.) The proper front of a sentry's post, and the extent of his walk, should be pointed out to him when he is posted.
When a sentry is to be posted on a new post, the procedure will be as above described, except that on the command, "Sentry, Port - Arms", the sentry will port arms, move to the post assigned to him, and be ordered to front. The corporal will read the orders to him, and then direct him to shoulder.
(3.) Sentries walking to and fro on their posts must do so in a brisk and soldier-like manner; they must on no account quit their arms, lounge, or converse with anyone; nor must they stand in their sentry boxes in good, or even in moderate weather. Sentries are to walk about with supported arms, but they are permitted to order arms and stand at ease from time to time.
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Further Reading:
Citation: Australian Light Horse, Roles within the Regiment, Relieving and Posting
