MP in WW1

Researched by Antony Buckingham, MP History Website

At the outbreak of WW1, the Australian Government received a request from the British Government to destroy the German Wireless network in the Western Pacific and to take possession of German New Guinea, a German Colony since 1884. Known as the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) or 'Tropical Force', Military Police did not accompany this force, as it was not felt necessary for the discipline of a 1500 man contingent.

The first known Military Police officer in WW1, was a CAPT Ravenscrof, who sailed with the ANMEF as the force APM. Upon successful completion of the operation and capture of German New Guinea, Colonel Holmes, the force commander, selected from amongst the ranks of his contingent, a military police body to replace the local constabulary in Rabaul, New Guinea. CAPT Ravenscroft was in charge of the military police chosen to perform the duties of MP as required by Colonel Holmes.

At the same time, the Australian Army prepared for war to support the 'mother country', England.

Prior to the formation of a dedicated military policing unit for the AIF, Military Police detachments were formed from each Division's Corps troops and were known as Mounted Military Police (MMP). MMP Company's worked under the supervision of the Formation Provost Marshal. The MMP, often referred to as just MP, took part in all the battles of the AIF prior to the creation of the ANZAC Police Corps. At Gallipoli, and later in France and Palestine, the MMP provided combat support services such as the control of traffic, prisoners of war, refugees and stragglers. They also provided security for Divisional HQ, supply dumps and visiting dignitaries and discipline patrols of rear areas.

Whilst the MMP performed admirably in battle, the toll of the work carried out by the MMP was evident from the many that died in battle whilst policing the beaches of Gallipoli, the trenches in France and the desert in Palestine. Also, the quantity of Military Medals (MM), Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) and other gallantry awards were testimony to the work of the early military police. When not in battle, the rear areas were required to be policed as well, with the MMP being outnumbered by the volume of troops on leave or in rest areas. These problems would be the catalyst for the creation of a military police Corps.

The order for an ANZAC Police Corps to be raised was promulgated on 3 April 1916. Later that same year, Australian Military Order 268 dated 13 June 1916, includes the order that 'The Military Police of AIF will hereafter form a Corps, promotion in which will, as far as the extingencies of the service admit, be within the Corps and not within individual portions thereof'. The 3rd of April each year, is considered to be the Corps birthday and is celebrated on this day every year.

Then 'Anzac Provost Corps', AIF Order 496 dated 23 Feb 1917, was approved and the use of a navy blue coloured hat band and metal shoulder titles 'Anzac Provost Corps' were introduced to the Corps. This is believed to be the first metal shoulder badge/title for the Australian Military Police.

On 26 June 1917, AIF Order 719 was issued and reads 'members of the Anzac Provost Corps, stationed in the line of Communication Area, B.E.F. and at such other places as the GOC AIF may direct, will wear red hat bands in lieu of the blue hat band'.

On 27 July 1917 AIF Order 771 was issued and reads 'No further appointments to the Anzac Provost Corps except of men who have served in a fighting unit in operations against the enemy will be made'. This was an important decision by the Corps and the Army, which only increased the standards and professionalism of the new Corps by ensuring that all military police would be of the highest military and moral character.

On 1st January 1918, AIF Order 1058, authorised the Corps to be renamed the 'Australian Provost Corps' and the 5th of February 1918, AIF order 1098, stated 'the metal shoulder badge (Anzac Provost Corps) authorised by AIF order 496 of 23.3.17, is being replaced by a new badge "Australian Provost Corps", which will be worn in lieu by members of the Australian Provost Corps'.

In July 1918 the Corps was renamed the 'Australian Provost Corps' with Provost Marshals on all AIF formation HQ, down to Divisional level. Created as an instrument of the Staff to enforce discipline, the Provosts became an essential element of command and control to both the battlefield and camp commanders. At the front the Provost was indispensable controlling traffic and prisoners of war (POW). IN the camps and rear areas the Provost maintained discipline and ran the military jails.

By the end of the War, Australian Military Police had served in all theaters and locations where Australian troops were deployed and acquitted themselves well in battle, proving the worth and expertise that the Corps can provide. The Corps was disbanded in 1920 along with the AIF in 1921.

From its beginnings in Egypt in March 1916, the ANZAC Provost Corps distinguished itself in various theaters during WW1. Of the 42 members killed, 13 died in Egypt. Four Military Medals (MM) were awarded and one was Mentioned In Dispatches (MID) twice. 

Please Note: This site has removed all information pertaining to Australian MP during WW1 as much outstanding and well researched books have been published by Australian authors/researchers in the past five years and are more accurate and relevant than information on this site. I recommend that all interested persons read the following books on the subject (these are the only Australian books on the subject to date) and are the best and most accurate sources of reference:

The Other Enemy by Glenn Wahlert (ISBN 0 19 551189 1) published by Oxford Military Press and covering topics about Australian soldiers and their relationship with the Australian Military Police.

Beyond The Myth – Australian Military Police 1914 – 1920 by Geoffrey Barr (ISBN 0-646-44581-2) published by HJ Publications, Australia covering the Australian Military Police during the years 1914 – 1920.