Military Police - 1900 to 1939
The year 1901
would be a landmark year in Australian history. Australian states, as a series
of colonies of Britain were federated into one unified country to be known as
the Commonwealth of Australia. As a result of Federation, the Australian Army
was born in 1901.
By 1903, the
Defence Act was legislated and gave the constitutional and legal coverage for
the new Australian Army. The Defence Act 1903 was enacted as one of the first,
Acts of Parliament the new federated Australian government would pass shaping
the Naval and Military forces of the Commonwealth of Australia for the next 50
years.
The new Defence
Force of Australia would be as follows:
The Defence Force shall consist of the Naval and Military Forces of the Commonwealth, and shall be divided into two branches called the Permanent Forces and Citizen Forces.
The Permanent Military Forces shall consist of officers who are appointed officers of those forces, and of soldiers, who are bound to continuous military service for a term.
No Permanent Military Forces shall be raised, maintained, or organised except for Administrative and Instructional Staffs, including Staff Corps, Army Service, Medical, Veterinary, and Ordnance Corps, Artillery, Fortress Engineers, and Submarine Mining Engineers.
Upon reading
above, it is easy to conclude that our Army was "restrained" in its
creation and deployment opportunities. There were many reasons for the Defence
Act being this way; some of those being:
a. The Army would
be subordinate to the Government and Minister for Defence,
b. The Army was
designed to be a large part time force supported by a small Regular force. It
was believed that this would stop a military elite forming,
c. The Army could
not be deployed as a British Army component without Australian government
approval and commanded by Australian Officers and NCOs,
h. It would be
necessary for all soldiers to volunteer to serve "overseas" in any
future war and could not be conscripted for imperial service.
As the new
Australian Army contained a small regular force designated the Permanent
Military Force or PMF and the remainder of the Australian Army at that time
being predominately a militia or part-time force, it was not felt necessary or
justified that a Military Police force or Corps, be created to police the new
Australian Army. In absence of a formal Military Police Corps in the Australian
Army during their period there was a basic policing presence at unit level.
Using the British
Army as a model, our PMF and Militia Army was created. The militia would only
be activated in times of war, based on Battalions, Brigades and Divisions
compatible with the British Army order of battle; they would train as part
time/reserve forces until a time of war.
Militia units when parading and some Permanent Force units would raise
individual unit policing organisations comprising a 10 man guard drawn daily
from unit personnel that was commanded by a Sergeant known officialy by the
Defence Act 1903 as the Provost Sergeant .
The Provost Sergeant was generally hand picked for the appointment by
the unit RSM/CO and responsible for policing the unit area via directions where
necessary from the CO/RSM. The Provost
Sergeant was also responsible for the correct and efficient running of the
Guard Room containing detention cells (small jail for holding unit personnel
for military law infractions) where soldiers undergoing “defaulters” would
serve their sentences from seven to 28 days.
The Provost Sergeant was usually an older more experienced unit Sergeant
who new Army procedures and discipline intimately and was responsible for the daily
running of the Battalion area for cleanliness, discipline and all things that
didn’t fit into another category or supervision of an Officer/NCO. In later years including today the position
is now known as the Regimental Police Sergant or RP Sergeant who roughly
performs the same duties as the old Provost Sergeant designation. At no time was the Provost Sergeant or the
RP Sergeant of Today a Military Policeman; however, they were and still are a
vital link in the miltary law/discipline chain of the Australian Army. The duties of the Provost Sergeant were
recorded in this 1930 document of unknown origin and relates the duties and
position well:
PROVOST
SERGEANT
The provost
sergeant is a non-commissioned officer placed in charge of the regimental police
during continuous training.
He should parade them daily at 7 pm, inspect them, and report to the RSM. The police should parade with side arms and cane, and wear on the right arm a special police badge. They should be told off for duty as required.
The duties of the police are:
To report immediately to the
field officer of the day, through the RSM or provost sergeant, any disturbance
or unusual occurrence in the vicinity of the camp.
To prevent men depositing
broken glass or rubbish except in the authorized receptacles.
To prevent men using any other
than authorized places as latrines, or washing themselves or clothes near the
wells, or wasting water.
To see that all lights are
extinguished at the property time, except any that may be authorized.
To prevent men proceeding
beyond the lines improperly dressed.
To protect and exercise a keen
supervision over all government property in camp, also during transport to and
from camp.
To assist the civil police when
called on by them to remove civilians from the lines.
To see that civilians do not
remain in the camp after First Post, and that any disorderly persons are
summarily removed.
To see that men under the
influence of drink are immediately made prisoners and confined. All prisoners should be taken to the main
guard.
The boundaries of the camp are usually the
front, rear and flank sentry lines.
In the meantime,
the PMF was responsible for training the militia. A Military Board was
established under the new Defence Act. One of the members of this board, the
Deputy Adjutant General, was made responsible for the discipline of the Defence
forces, as well as for courts martials and other personnel related duties.
There was no Provost Marshal serving in the Australian Army at this time,
although the position was on establishment in times of war. Military law was
maintained by individual units with COs conducting investigations and
determining what course of action to take against any offenders. Military law
was printed as part of the Defence Act 1903 and governed the daily life of the
PMF and Militia when conducting part-time training. The law covered all
situations and crimes/offences that could be committed by soldiers including
the complex procedures of court martials and rules of evidence along with the
evolving Australian Army Orders & Regulations.
The first signs
of Military Police in the Australian Army would appear in 1911 with the
introduction of the Provost Staff. Formed as a result of the Universal Training
Scheme (UTS), the Provost Staff were solely confined to policing the
requirements of the scheme and not for policing the general military
population. In many ways, their duties were similar to investigative type work
of the Army’s Special Investigation Branch (SIB) and not pro-active policing as
we know the Corps today.
Provost Staff (1911 to 1929)
Background
The
"outstanding" victory of the Japanese Navy over the Russian Navy in
Tsushima Straits in 1905, and the strong German challenge to Britain's world
naval supremacy, Australians had begun to seriously consider the possibility of
invasion of Australia and in 1907 the Government announced the principle of
Universal Training. A bill providing for compulsory military training in peace
time (referred to as Universal Training) was introduced into Parliament by
Prime Minister Alfred Deakin in 1909. It was a measure with broad parliamentary
support, having been adopted by the Opposition Labor Party at its 1908
conference.
Upon the creation
of the Australian Army in 1901 there was much debate by Parliament about the
state of the Defence Force at this time and how it would look in the future. As
Britain was the "guiding" force on the new Federation of Australia,
it was only natural that the Australian government would turn to Britain for
advice and guidance on creating its' Defence Force.
At the invitation
of the Government, Field Marshal Viscount Kitchener of Great Britain was
invited to Australia in 1909 to inspect the Australian troops and advise on the
future structure and training of the Australian Army. As a result of that
visit, Kitchener submitted his report in February 1910 recommending the
introduction of compulsory military training.
The Defence Act
1903-10, provided that all male inhabitants were liable for training and in
1911 the scheme had commenced. The scheme was for universal military training
for junior and senior cadets from ages 12 to 18 years and, thereafter, in the
Citizen Military Forces (CMF) to age 25.
The Universal Training Provost Staff
Military Order
719 dated 1912 and Statutory Rule No. 254, approved on 24 December 1912 and to
come into operation as from 01 January 1913, approved the creation of a Provost
Staff to be established as a portion of the Administrative Staff of the Commonwealth
Military Forces. The order stated:
It may consist of Officers, Warrant and Non-Commissioned Officers. The Provost Staff would be administered by the Adjutant General's branch of the Staff in Districts, and, for the purpose of discipline, will be considered to be a "Corps".
Vacancies within the Provost Staff would be notified in Military Orders as required and preference would be given to members of the Permanent Forces or to persons who have served therein who are medically fit and otherwise suitable.
From the very
start, it was clear that experienced, mature and veteran military servicemen
would be chosen to serve in the Provost Staff. Their terms of appointment would
not exceed three years, but on approval of the Military Board may be extended
for the same or a lesser period as required. Due to the age and maturity of the
men selected for the Provost Staff the normal rules and regulations for
retirement would not comply with many of the men serving well into their 70's
before retiring.
The duties and
annual rates of pay for the Provost Staff would be prescribed by the Military
Board. The rates of pay would be Assistant Provost Marshal = 312 pounds,
Provost Sergeant Major = 204 pounds and Provost Sergeant = 156 pounds. The
rates of pay were inclusive of all allowances except "Traveling",
which was granted according to rules and regulations of the day.
The uniform of
the Provost Staff was generally as recommended by the Military Board with a
meeting held in 1913 (Australian Archives Vic 89/2/30 Mil board meeting
19.8.13) authorising the Provost Staff to wear Patrol Blues and white helmet.
This dress was similar to that of the State police forces, with the exception
that the Provost NCO also wore a Sam-Brown belt and "rising sun"
badge. However, due to a delay in arranging financial cover for this uniform
and the impending war, the Provost commonly wore either civilian attire or the
regular khaki uniform commonly worn by all soldiers of the day. It's
interesting to note that the uniform selected was similar to civilian police
and not the uniform of a soldier; the fact that the Military Board had made
this decision is even more interesting. Had circumstances been different maybe
the Military Police of today could still be wearing civilian police style uniforms.
It's also interesting to note that the Australian Naval Police of that time
were wearing civilian police style uniforms similar to a Constable of the
Victorian Water Police.
On 10 February
1913, the first Provost Marshal of the Australian Army, Major M.M. Boam was
appointed to the position at HQ 2nd Military District (Sydney). {Honorary
Lt. Col Morris Martin Boam, born 15.10.1847 in London. Member of the Australian
Sudan Expedition in 1885 and the NSW Permanent Armed Forces.} He was
assisted in most states of Australia by a Provost Sergeant Major and two
Provost Sergeants with their duties relating to the Universal Training Scheme
only. It is essential to point out, that prior to WW1, the Provost Staff did
not provide for the military policing duties of the Australian Army. Those
policing duties were left to individual units for discipline and policing of
unit areas with selected members of the unit belonging to Regimental Police
(RP) sections. Often different RP units were pooled when required for larger
Brigade or Area purposes.
As the Provost
Staff commenced their duties, they were to become the first full time Military
Police of the Australian Army. The winds of war were blowing towards Australia
and by the start of WW1 in 1914, the Provost Staff moved away from the
Universal Training Scheme (UTS) duties and were performing more typical
Military Policing duties. Universal Training was suspended during this period
with all available manpower going to the 1st AIF and deployment overseas.
Throughout WW1, the Provost Staff performed duties associated with guarding
internee compounds, POWs, important installations and security duties as
required. Also policing the Garrison cities like Sydney and Melbourne were
assisted by them as well. Unfortunately, the Defence Act, at that time,
precluded service overseas for Permanent Military Force personnel, with the men
of the Provost Staff forced to stay in Australia and provide essential Provost
support to the troops at home. By the end of WW1, all that remained of the
original Provost Staff organisation were the 31 ORs of the former Provost Staff
prior to the war who were reduced in size to 22 all ranks by April 1921.
By the early
1920's, the Australian Government was re-addressing Defence policy and
re-instituted Universal Military training again. The Provost Staff were to be
included as well with the following information from Australian Military Orders
255 of 1922 stating:
UNIVERSAL TRAINING PROVOST STAFF
1. -
Establishment
The following is the establishment of the Universal Training Provost Staff, to come into operation as from 1 July 1922
|
Formation |
Provost Sergeants Major |
Provost Sergeants |
Total |
|
1st DIV (NSW) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
2nd DIV (NSW) |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
3rd DIV (VIC) |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
4th DIV (VIC) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
4th DIV (SA) |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
11th Mixed Brigade (Queensland) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
12th Mixed Brigade (Tasmania) |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
13th Mixed Brigade (Western Australia) |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
Total |
6 |
9 |
15 |
2 - Termination of Appointments
The appointments of the undermentioned members are terminated to date, 30th June 1922:
2nd Division (NSW)
Provost Sergeant T. Chedgey
Provost Sergeant F.M. Brown
11th Mixed Brigade
(QLD)
Provost Sergeant Major J.N. Cooper
Provost Sergeant J. Dutton
12th Mixed Brigade
(Tasmania)
Provost Sergeant Major W.Clarke
13th Mixed Brigade
(Western Australia)
Provost Sergeant Major A.F.H.West
3 - Appointment
12th Mixed Brigade (Tasmania)
A.F.H. West to be Provost Sergeant for a period of two years. 1st July 1922
4 - Transfers
Provost Sergeant J.Clark, 1st Division (NSW), is transferred to the 2nd Division (NSW). 1st July 1922
Provost Sergeant A.Mann, 3rd Division (Victoria), is transferred to the 4th Division (Victoria). 1st July 1922
The Provost Staff
were recruited by placing ads in the Australian Army Orders (AAO) of the day
with the following order dated 1925 providing an insight into the period:
Australian Army Orders (AAO)
553 of 1925 (21-11-25)
1. With reference to the establishment of the Provost Staff published in Military Order No. 255/1922, it is hereby notified that a vacancy exists for the appointment of a Provost Sergeant in the 2nd Military District.
2. Applications are invited from persons qualified for appointment, and should be forwarded through the usual channel, to reach Army HQ not later than the 7th December 1925.
3. Selection will be made in the following order:
(a) Members of the Permanent Forces who are now serving or have served therein for a period of not less than five years. Preference will be given to ex-members of the AIF who posses the qualifications above-mentioned.
(b) Members or ex-members of the Militia Forces who have served therein not less than eight years, and are physically fit for the duties required. Preference will be given to ex-members of the AIF.
4. The initial term of appointment will be for two years, with the option of subsequent re-engagements every two years, subject to satisfactory performance of duties.
5. The age for retirement of members of the Provost Staff is 60 years. No extensions beyond this age will be permitted.
6. The rate of pay on appointment as Provost Sergeant is 4 pounds and 5 shillings per week, together with child endowment.
Towards the end
of the 1920s and by the start of the early 1930s, the Provost Staff ceased to
exist. With the depression, reduced Defence spending and lack of threat to
Australia, the Universal Training Scheme was all but finished. As Provost Staff
retired they were not replaced although a handful continued to serve on in the
Australian Military Forces (AMF) Permanent Forces until 1939.
By 1939 the
establishment of the Provost Staff was only five Provost Sergeant Majors and
seven Provost Sergeants who were absorbed by the Australian Army Provost Corps
when it was raised at the outbreak of the Second World War in 1938. Although
the establishment position existed on each DIV HQ for a Provost Marshal, those
positions remained unfilled until mobilisation of the Australian Army in 1938.
The Provost Staff ceased to exist by the start of the Second World War and so
ended another chapter in the history of the Australian Miltary Police.