PADDINGTON

4 Oct 1945

 Provost Marshal

L.H.Q.

MELBOURNE

In 1939 NSW L of C Area was known as ‘Eastern Command’, and the first Provost Company ‘Eastern Command Provost Company’. The appointment of A.P.M. was made on the 19^th November 1939. He was directed to recruit Provost personnel for one Company, such personnel to be returned soldiers from the 1914-1918 war, over 45 years of age, and ‘B’ Class medically. I consider this to be the first mistake made, and I will deal with the matter later in this report. Recruits within the limits prescribed were hard to get, and, on the 19^th December 1939, the total number available for policing the City of Sydney was 1 Officer and 46 OR.

By arrangement with the Commissioner of Police, Bourke Street Police Station, Surrey Hills, was taken over as a Guard Room and Headquarters of the Provost Company. The building consisted of 2 large offices, 8 cells and a small yard. The building was subsequently found to be totally unsuitable for Provost requirements.

Soldiers arrested in Sydney were returned to their Units for trail and where Units could not supply an escort they were taken back under Provost escort. The failure of Units to promptly supply escorts for apprehended soldiers led to over-crowding in the Guard Room, and on 25^th October 1940 the ‘CO Troops on Leave’ was appointed. This step was very wise and in addition to expeditiously dealing with apprehended soldiers, considerable money was saved in escort expenses as those sent to detention were sent direct to Holsworthy Detention Barracks, and the Unit notified.

Holsworthy Detention Barracks was opened in April 1940. At that time the Detention Barracks was under the control of the A.P.M. The Barracks had accommodation for 150 soldiers and the staff; 1 Officer and 30 OR’s were Provost personnel.

During the year under review 1218 soldiers served varying periods of detention in these Barracks, from seven days to 90 days.

The first Provost Detachments stationed in the country were at Newcastle and West Maitland in 1940. These became necessary by reason of the fact that a large number of troops were in training at Greta and Largs. At each place there was one Sergeant and 15 OR’s. Detachments were later stationed at Tamworth, Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo, Cowra, Goulburn and Hay as troops moved into these areas. In addition to ordinary Military Police duty, ie, the enforcement of discipline – the Provost personnel exercised control over Military traffic upon the roads leading in and out of the towns named.

In 1940 Sly Grog selling in the City of Sydney, particularly in the vicinity of Military Camps, from motor cars, was rife. A number of Night Clubs, Fun Parlours, and other Dens of the under world opened up and the conduct of these gave great concern to the State Police Commissioner, and the Military Police. After a conference between the Police Commissioner, and the A.P.M., combined action was taken against those in control, and, with the assistance of the State Premier a large number of these places were closed. In addition, the Sly Grog sellers in the vicinity of Camps were prosecuted and action was taken against the Proprietors of Clubs for encouraging soldiers to remain in or upon their premises. In a few instances combined action was taken against Hotel Licensees for trading after hours to soldiers and encouraging them to remain drinking upon their premises. One Licensee lost the managership of his hotel following an interview between the Secretary of a prominent brewery, the A.P.M. and a Police Superintendent.

In 1941 Sly Grog selling was less evident than it had been in 1940.

In 1942, in the City of Sydney, it could be said that the control of liquor in hotels was well within the prescribed trading hours; that there was very little after-hour trading taking place so far as troops were concerned, but that matters were not nearly so happy in country areas where Licensees seemed to take it for granted that troops could be served up to 2130 hours. The normal closing hour was 1800. This was strongly in evidence at Cowra, Bathurst and Dubbo, and again combined action was taken to bring these Towns into line with all other Towns in the State. So far as the illicit sale of liquor is concerned, by 1942 most of these low-down Clubs were ‘declared’, and put out of existence.

In 1943 further trouble was again experienced in regard to the liquor traffic. The well-known Sly Grogger turned his attention to the Black Market sale of liquor at high prices to USA and Australian troops, and again with the aid of the State Police, USA Provost and Customs Authorities, the matter was taken in hand, many offenders were arrested, large fines inflicted, and some of the offenders sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.

Trouble was also experienced in 1943 in the towns of Goulburn and Tamworth by Licensees selling liquor to soldiers wearing hospital ‘blues’. In Goulburn there was a large hospital, the inmates being mostly mental cases, and the supply of liquor to them not only hindered their treatment, and prevented complete recovery, but made them a menace to the community when under the influence. Very determined and close action between the State and Military Police was taken. One Hotel Licensee was prosecuted for having in and upon his premises 16 soldiers from the hospital, the result being that he subsequently lost the license of the hotel, and was disqualified from holding a further licence in the State.

In Tamworth there was also a large hospital, and again with the State Police, certain hotels were raided and definite action taken, the result being that in both places Licensees learnt to realise that they must not sell liquor to soldier patients from hospitals.

In 1944 the matter of the control of liquor was so well in hand that I was able to report that my considered opinion was that the disposal of liquor through the Black Market was not on the increase, and as a matter of fact it was on the wane. To a large extent I attributed the reason to be the activity of the State Police, Customs Authorities, Military Police and USA Provost and also the fact that a large number of USA troops had moved out of the area.

Early in 1940 Military vehicles began to appear in numbers upon the public streets, and roadways, and a system of traffic control became necessary. Military Police motor cyclists were detailed to patrol the busy thoroughfares and highways, and to take particulars of the drivers of Military vehicles who exceeded speed limits, or who in any way contravened motor traffic regulations as well as the regulations laid down by the Military Authorities governing mechanical vehicles. By the end of that year 411 drivers were dealt with for various offences, the chief offence being ‘speeding’. The Traffic table hereunder will give the yearly figures for the various offences.

In 1941 there was established on the various highways, traffic control boxes manned by Military Policemen for the full 24 hours of the day. Their duty being to stop all Military traffic, examine loading, record the number of the vehicle, the time of reporting, Unit to which attached, starting point and designation, passengers carried, note their licence and work ticket, and by this method over 300,000 vehicles were checked, many offences being disclosed and the culprits dealt with accordingly.

In 1942 the position became more acute in regard to Military traffic by reason of the fact that there was a large number of troops in the area, and consequently a greater number of vehicles upon the streets. The offence of speeding jumped up over 300%, as will be seen by the table.

In order that the Military Police would have some control over civilian traffic upon the public streets, in May 1942, on representations being made to the Premier of NSW, a National Security Order No.18 was issued giving authority to Military Police to regulate traffic.

Hereunder is a summary of the operations of the N.S.W. L of C Provost Companies for the 12 months ending 31 December 1943.

CONDUCT OF SOLDIERS.

The conduct of soldiers in the area, generally speaking, can be classed as ‘good’. The only incidents bordering on organised disturbances of a serious nature are:

1. In March 1943, shortly after the return of 9 Div troops, there were many minor disturbances between Australian and U.S.A. soldiers, and information reaching me confirmed the belief that these were well organised and working quickly to a climax. Definite information was received from a member of 9 Div as to the ring-leader and two Military Police were detailed to intermingle with the disturbing element. Just when a large disturbance was about to take place the ring-leader, Pte McLeod, was arrested and the disturbance was broken up. McLeod was Court Martialled and eventually sentenced to two years hard labour. From then on all disturbances between Australian and American soldiers ceased.
2. At Manly on 30 October 1943, three soldiers entered the Captain’s cabin on one of the Manly ferries, which was fully loaded with approximately 1000 people and attempted to take the ferry away from the wharf. The State Police were called in and a fight commenced which was carried on from the Captain’s cabin, along the boat, and on to the wharf. A wireless message was received by the Provost wireless cars, and in a short time a large number of Military Police were on the scene. Other Servicemen joined in against the State and Military Police, but after a severe fight the disturbance was overcome and 15 of the ring-leaders, including the three that started the disorder, were arrested and severely dealt with by the State Courts.

Apart from the foregoing there were many small disturbances, but since the inauguration of the wireless patrols Military Police are so quickly on the spot and offenders promptly picked up that serious disturbances do not develop.

DRESS OF SOLDIERS ON LEAVE IN THE CITY. The dress of soldiers in the City when on leave is not good. It would appear that Commanding Officers are not taking sufficient interest in this matter. Military Police have taken the name, number and Unit of badly dressed troops in the City, and Units have been notified. It is not known when disciplinary action has been taken by Commanding Officers.

BREACHES OF DISCIPLINE. There were 26,096 charges laid against soldiers during the year which is an increase of 5411 on the previous year’s figures. The most common offence is A.W.L. During the year 21,378 were reported absent from their Units and 20,086 were arrested for this offence.

WARRANTS. 14,848 warrants for arrest of Military personnel on charges of desertion were issued during the year and 13,350 were accounted for by arrests and cancellations.

DRUNKENNESS. There has not been any increase in drunkenness on the part of troops during the year, 315 were charged by the Military Police and 205 by the State Police, and there is almost a complete absence of the carrying of bottled liquor about the streets by soldiers. During the year 167 bottles of liquor were taken from intoxicated soldiers. This liquor was handed over the Military Hospitals for use where the liquor was good, the remainder destroyed by the O.C. Provost, and a certificate given to that effect.

CONTROL OF LIQUOR AND BLACK MARKET LIQUOR. Considerable activity was displayed by the Military Police in regard to sly-grog selling and Black Market liquor. Military Police acted with U.S.A. Provost, State Police, and Customs Authorities and many offenders were arrested and large fines inflicted, some being sentenced to terms of imprisonment.

DISORDERLY HOUSES, FUN PARLOURS, ALL-NIGHT CAFES AND DANCE RESTAURANTS. After a conference with the State Police Authorities combined action was taken in the matter of the suppression of disorderly houses, fun parlours, all-night cafes and dance restaurants. Military and State Police, working in pairs, observed for 14 days the operations of these places noting the names of undesirable persons and the soldiers who frequent them. In this manner such a strong case was built up for presentation to the State Premier that certain of the houses were closed, and others the trading hours curtailed so that a much closer watch could be kept over them.

POLICING OF TRAINS. In the early part of the year the policing of interstate trains was regularly carried out as here under.

By this check a large number of deserters were arrested, but the check had to be discontinued owing to the Companies being under strength. At the present time a check is only carried out between Newcastle and Sydney.

SOLDIERS ARRESTED BY THE STATE POLICE AND DEALT WITH BY THE CIVIL COURTS. During the period under review 2487 soldiers were arrested by the State Police and dealt with by the Civil Courts. (This number does not include traffic offences). There was a big increase in crime during the year as the figures will indicate, and so far as serious crime is concerned it is on the upward trend. In respect of each arrest the unit, D.R.O., D.F.O., DAAC (R&M) and the Controller General of Prisons, have been notified in writing. This entailed a considerable amount of clerical work. Hereunder is a table showing the figures for the years 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1943.

TRAFFIC CONTROL. State and Military Police were very active in the matter of traffic control. In the latter part of the period under review, owing to shortage of personnel, N.S.W. L of C Provost had to be withdrawn from this work. The figures hereunder set out the number of charges and nature of offences preferred against soldiers for the years 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1943.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION BRANCH. In August of this year a section of L.H.Q. Special Investigation Branch was attached to N.S.W. L of C area for duty. Their chief work is the investigation of crime, the arrest of offenders for serious offences outside the scope of normal Provost Police and inquiries of a secret and confidential nature. This section has become very well established and its presence is known to all Commanding Officers. Their work has been outstanding and a credit to those employed on this duty. Hereunder is a short summary of the work conducted since its inception.

Reports submitted 665

Arrests 103

Civil Courts attended 46

Courts Martial attended 23

Courts of Inquiry 32

Value of Property Recovered £9037/9/3d.

With regard to the 103 personnel arrested by the S.I.B. during the period named, 141 charges were laid against them as hereunder.

Manslaughter 1

Assault and Robbery 2

Break Enter and Steal 2

Stealing 62

Receiving 8

Goods in Custody 9

Illegal Possession 6

Grievous Bodily Harm 1

Unlicensed Pistol 1

Forgery 29

False Pretences 7

Illegal Use Military Vehicles 6

Conduct to the Prejudice 3

Losing by Neglect 1

Indecent Language 2

Desertion 2

Through the courtesy of the Commissioner of Police three experienced detectives (one Det-Sergeant and two Det-Constables – returned soldiers) are attached to the Branch, and a very live liaison is maintained with the State Police.

The work of the Branch in connection with the theft of £7000 worth of motor spare parts at Newcastle was outstanding. The whole of the property was recovered. Arrests were made and eight charges laid against the offenders.

ESCORTS. Escort work was particularly heavy during the year, both ammunition and personnel as the figures hereunder will show:

CENTRAL PROVOST OFFICE. Work at the Central Provost Office, Central Railway Station, was particularly heavy. There were 14193 requests for Provost attention. Of these 1362 were compassionate leave investigations, the remainder to pick up A.W.L. personnel, attend to a disturbance, or pick up soldiers’ kits. The following is a short summary of the volume of work passing through there for attention.

ATTACHMENTS. N.S.W. L of C Pro. Detachments are stationed at Newcastle, Bathurst, Orange, Goulburn and Tamworth. The figures given below will indicate the importance of these detachments.

At Bathurst, Goulburn and Tamworth there are large Military Hospitals and Military Police supervise the conduct of hotels in relation to hospital patients.

The Military Police at Orange are utilised at conducting N.C.O. in relation to personnel discharged from Detention Barracks there.

COMPASSIONATE LEAVE INQUIRIES. The number of compassionate leave inquiries investigated and reported upon by Military Police during the year was 6252. A great number of these were very genuine cases, others had a good deal of merit in them, and it can be said that not a great number were without foundation. These inquiries take up the full time of four personnel.

1. LENDRUM) Lt.Col.