Australian Light Horse

Roles within the Regiment

Qualifications of Non-Commissioned Officers

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.

Qualifications of Non-Commissioned Officers

 

"Non-commissioned officers are the backbone of an army." - Wellington.

All Ranks.

(1.) It goes without saying, that every non-commissioned officer should be, first of all, an enthusiast in all matters appertaining to his regiment, and the capabilities of the Australian bushmen, whose latent talents and mode of life particularly fit them - when developed - for military purposes, for the defence of their Colony.

(2.) He should be a good horseman, a keen sportsman, a lover of horses, a good shot, and a regular attendant at drill.

(3.) He should have "a good eye for country," and be capable of making a rough sketch of what he sees of country, or position of a body of troops, and be able to write a short report if on patrol.

(4.) He should have the respect of his fellows, be capable of issuing orders, and obtaining obedience from his subordinates at all times, and, both by tact and example, show that he is prepared to be a strong link in the chain of responsibility from the lower ranks to higher grades, which is absolutely necessary for the training, and maintenance of discipline, in any military force.

(5.) He should always have a note-book (containing a roll of his troop or half-squadron) in his possession, and a watch to time messages when on patrol or scouting.

(6.) Every non-commissioned officer must be well informed in the drills of a regiment on horseback and on foot, as well as in the use of arms.

(7.) When in Camp, their duties generally are:-

(a) To maintain discipline amongst the men;

(b) assist the officers to uphold the credit of the regiment for the correct carrying out of military duty;

(c) the care of horses;

(d) the distribution of forage;

(e) the care of Camp equipment, and its return to store in good order on conclusion of camp.

(8.) When on guard they must remember the IMPORTANCE OF THIS DUTY. They should be well posted in:

(a) general duties of guards;

(b) mode of paying complements to armed parties, officers, etc.;

(c) manner of posting sentries;

(d) sentries' orders;

(e) mode of challenging guard or visiting rounds.

 

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Next: Regimental Sergeant-Major

Further Reading:

Australian Light Horse

Militia 1899 - 1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 1 September 2009 10:39 PM EADT

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Australian Light Horse

Roles within the Regiment

Regimental Sergeant-Major

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.

Regimental Sergeant-Major

 

(a) General Duties.

(1.) The Regimental Sergeant-Major is the head of the non-commissioned officers, and is the immediate assistant of the Adjutant in carrying out all the duties of the regiment. His position is unique. As warrant officer, he is the connecting link between the commissioned and non-commissioned ranks, and he is to be treated with proper respect by the non-commissioned officers and men.

(2.) His duties are very various, ranging far and wide throughout the regiment, and it is not possible to over-estimate his influence over the non-commissioned officers and men if he be vigilant and judicious in the exercise of his duties.

(3.) He should be strictly just and impartial, scrupulously correct in his personal appearance, reporting any carelessness on the part of the non-commissioned officers and men, whether in matters of duty or dress.

(4.) In the absence of the Regimental Sergeant-Major, the Senior Staff-Sergeant will perform his duties.

(5.) As the Adjutant's assistant, the duties of this warrant officer extend to every department, and cannot precisely be laid out.

(6.) Every assistance should be afforded by all ranks to this warrant officer.

(b) Continuous Training or Camp of Instruction.

(7.) When the regiment arrives in Camp for training, his first care will be to see that the non-commissioned officers have a proper conception of their duties, and what is required of them during the training.

(8.) He w ill see that the first guard is correctly posted, and will detail a Staff-sergeant to visit the guard and sentries daily during the training.

(9.) :He will be constantly on the alert during the training, and should be found at the orderly tent when required. The tent occupied by him should be known to the Adjutant and every non-commissioned officer in the regiment.

(10.) Whenever he receives an important verbal order from superior authority he will record it in his memo. book, and will take care that it is copied into the detail books of the squadrons or regimental units concerned.

(11.) He will arrange the details of guards, etc., daily, and see that the Orderly Sergeants copy them into the squadron or regimental units order books, together with the Regimental Orders, checking same on conclusion of each day's orders.

(12.) He will attend at the parading of guards, escorts. orderlies, etc. No party returning from detached duty is ever to be dismissed until it has been paraded and seen by him.

(13.) He must occasionally visit the guards, sentries, horse lines or stables, and see that the various duties are conducted in a smart and soldierlike manner, in accordance with the rules of the service.

(14.) He will inspect the guard and prisoners' tents daily, and see that they are kept clean.

(15). He will see that the list of prisoners and absentees during the continuous training are sent to the Adjutant daily at 8.30 a.m.

(16.) That the Guard Report is in the orderly tent half an hour before "Orderly-room Call" sounds.

(17.) That the prisoners, evidences, and all attending the orderly-room are paraded punctually at the regimental orderly tent after the Call sounds.

(18.) He will be held responsible that all parades and duties are formed up in proper time.

(19.) He will see that all general fatigue parties of the regiment are paraded and marched off suitably dressed.

(20.) He will be held responsible that the Sergeants' Mess is in every way regularly conducted, that a good tone pervades, and that any irregularities are checked, and, if necessary, reported to the Adjutant.

(21.) He will be present at the disposal of prisoners, whom, with the evidence, he will march in and out of the orderly tent.

(22.) He will compare his watch with that of the Adjutant and Sergeant-trumpeter, and instruct the latter as to time of call for parades.

(23.) In mounted services, the Orderly Staff-Sergeant Instructor will collect the watch-setting reports, and hand them to the orderly officer, subsequently reporting same to the Regimental Sergeant-major.

(24.) Regimental Sergeant-Majors do not attend stables, but will have a general supervision over duties, viz.: Horse-line sentries by day and night, permanent group organisation, non-commissioned officers' duties in Troops, etc.

 

Previous: Qualifications of Non-Commissioned Officers

Next: Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant

Further Reading:

Australian Light Horse

Militia 1899 - 1920

Posted by Project Leader at 11:59 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 1 September 2009 10:37 PM EADT

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Australian Light Horse

Roles within the Regiment

Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant

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.

Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant

 

(a). Continuous Training.

(1.) He will be held particularly responsible to the Quartermaster for the drawing of all Camp equipment prior to the continuous training.

(2.) He will lay out the Camp - after the ground has been allotted to the regiment - allowing for horse lines of squadrons in accordance with the "Regulations for Encampments."

(3.) He will see that a correct record of all issues made in Camp is kept, and that signatures of officers commanding squadrons or regimental units or their representatives are obtained to all receipts, so that on conclusion of training losses may be located with squadrons, etc.

(4.) He will be present at the drawing of all rations, forage, or water, and will see that each squadron or regimental unit receive their proper quantities as per indent.

(5.) He will arrange for the covering of all rations, forage, etc., when not required for immediate issue, taking special precautions in the case of bad weather.

(6.) He will be immediately under the Quartermaster, in view ordinarily of assisting in the conduct of all the duties of the regiment, but especially those relating to stores, etc., and should be competent to supply his place when necessary.

(7.) He will be held responsible for the cleanliness of the camp in every particular, the cookhouses, kitchens, latrines, and will especially see that provision is made for the cartage of all dung or refuse to a place allotted at some distance from the lines - and will report to the Quartermaster when the action of any squadron, battery, or company, or individual, affects the cleanliness of the Camp.

(8.) All general fatigues will be personally conducted by him, under the direction of the Quartermaster.

(9.) At the conclusion of the training he will arrange to receive all squadrons or regimental units stores - time of first squadron, or unit, to return - to be arranged in regimental Orders or otherwise.

(10.) He will see that the latrines are filled up, all broken or empty bottles buried prior to leaving the camping ground.

(11.) He will specially note all General Orders issued during Camp, referring to issue of rations, forage, etc., and arrange time of re-issuing same to his regiment so that the Quartermaster may acquaint the Adjutant, with a view to such time being notified in Regimental Orders or otherwise.

(12.) He will see that all stores returned by the regiment are securely stored prior to being despatched to Ordnance Store.

(13.) He should thoroughly understand the "Regulations for encampments."

 

Previous: Regimental Sergeant-Major

Next: Orderly Room Clerk

Further Reading:

Australian Light Horse

Militia 1899 - 1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 1 September 2009 10:35 PM EADT

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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.

 

Previous: Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant

Next: Squadron Sergeant-Major

Further Reading:

Australian Light Horse

Militia 1899 - 1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 1 September 2009 10:56 PM EADT

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Australian Light Horse

Roles within the Regiment

Squadron Sergeant-Major

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.

Squadron Sergeant-Major

 

(1.) To be the most capable man obtainable, able to carry on the clerical work, and look after the books of the squadron. He is the right hand man of the squadron commander, and should have a thorough knowledge of human nature, be respected by all, and should be an enthusiast in the regiment. He is frequently required to lead a troop and take charge of an officer's patrol.

 

Previous: Orderly Room Clerk

Next: Squadron Quartermaster-Sergeant

Further Reading:

Australian Light Horse

Militia 1899 - 1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 1 September 2009 10:59 PM EADT

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