Source 4a

1/7th BATTALION THE ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT.

BATTALION ORDERS BY COLONEL L. H. HANBURY V. D., C. M. G. COMMANDING.

(1) HONOURS AND AWARDS.

The General Officer Commanding –in-Chief has, under authority granted by His Majesty the King, awarded decorations to the undermentioned Officer and N. C. O. :-

    THE MILITARY CROSS.
      2/Lieut V. C. Holland.
    THE DISTINGUISHED MEDAL.
      No 2837 Corporal (A/Sergt) J. J. Waring.

(2) DIED OF WOUNDS.

The undermentioned men died of wounds on dates stated:-
No 4816 Pte Jukes W. 31/8/16. No 4512 Pte Hatton A. 3/9/16.
No 2912 L/Cpl Bodin W. 4/9/16.

(3) COMMISSION – WEARING OF UNIFORM.

A candidate for commission must not in any circumstances wear the uniform, accoutrements, or badges of rank of an officer, until he has actually taken up his duties as an officer with his new unit in pursuance of the posting order notified in full from General Headquarters on A. F. W. 3361.

When proceeding from the cadet school to join his new unit as an officer, he will, however, wear the uniform and accoutrements of an Officer, but in place of the badges of rank he will wear the cadet school brassard, which will be returned to the cadet school as soon as he has taken up his duties.

(4) DOGS.

Up to and including 1st October 1916, the circulation of dogs in the zone of the British Armies is forbidden, even if they are Muzzled, will be handed over to the Milotary Police. unless they are held in leash. Sheep and cattle dogs employed at their work are exempt from this order.

Stray dogs found at large, even if muzzled will be handed over by the Military Police to the Civil Authorities, to be destroyed after an interval of 96 hours if the owner is unknown.

The above order is in accordance with the instructions issued by the French Authorities in view of the prevalence of Rabies.

(5) EXPLOSIVES.

Attention is drawn to G. R. O. 1189 dated 4/10/15.

Trench Mortar and Bombing Grounds will be carefully searched at the conclusion of practice and measures taken to dispose of all unexploded bombs, grenades, detonators and fuses. Should there be any reason to suppose that a piece of ground is dangerous to civilians by reason of explosives having been left in it the Maire of the Commune will be informed and if possible the area will be fenced in.

(6) COURT MARTIAL.

No 20062, Private J. Anderson, 12th Bn. King's Liverpool Regt. Attached 8th Loyal North Lancashire Regt., was a member of a working party in the trenches on the night of 4/5th August 1916. While the party was proceeding up to the front line there was some hostile shelling; the accused then left the party without permission and went back to his dugout.

He was tried by Field General Court Martial for "Misbehaving before the enemy in such a manner as to show cowardice." He was found guilty and sentenced to death. This sentence was duly carried out at 5-55a.m. on the 12/9/16. This order is to be read out to all, at the first opportunity.

(Signed) P. Hicks Lieut & A/Adjt.
1/7th Battalion The Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Source 4b

1/7th BATTALION THE ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT.

BATTALION ORDERS BY LT. COLONEL J. M. KNOX COMMANDING.

29th November 1916.

1. UNSERVICEABLE GROUND SHEETS.

All unserviceable ground sheets are required for the manufacture of rations bags.

They will be collected whenever possible and returned to Ordnance Officers who will arrange for their despatch to Paris.

2. LEAVE.

All officers proceeding on Leave to PARIS will report on arravial to the A.P.M.

3. TRAFFIC.

LOZENGE WOOD Road will be closed to all traffic from 24th to 30th instant both inclusive, except for transport located along the road and that used for road material, and units proceeding to or from camps situated along the road.

The PEAKE WOOD, VILLA STATION, MARTINPIUCH and LE SARS tramway is not to be used as a foot way, except by those working on or controlling the line, and by troops on relief days returning from the front, who may use the boarded tramway track as far west as VILLA STATION.

4. HORSE WATER POINTS.

It is strictly forbidden for horses when attached to vehicles to be taken to drink at water tanks or troughs.

5. LIGHTTS.

A number of the lights shewn in the Army area are likely to serve as guides to hostile aircraft.

For the safety of the troops and the civilian inhabitants, and of factories, railways etc., engaged on work for the armies, it is essential that such lights should cease to be shown.

All lights will, therefore, be extinguished or completely shaded one hour after sunset.

All ranks will assist the police and gendarmes both by complying with the order themselves, and by bringing to notice any infringement of the order.

6. STEEL HELMETS.

Steel helmets are not to be used for cooking, or for any other purpose than that for which they are issued. Disobedience of this order will be treated as a serious breach of discipline.

7. OFFICERS' CLOTHING DEPOT.

An Officers' Clothing Dept. has been opened at PONT NOYELLES. It will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

8. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TRENCH FEET AND FROST BITE.

The following extract from III Corps routine orders of 22nd Nov. 1916 is published for information: -

"163 Precautions against trench feet and frost bite.:-

Now that the wet weather is approaching, special precautions are necessary to prevent the feet becoming numbed, swollen, painful, or frost bitten.

It is absolutely necessary that all men, especially when in the trenches, be made to remove their puttees, boots and socks at least once a day, and to dry their feet and to treat them with whale oil or anti-frost-bite-grease, and then to put on dry socks. The puttees should be put on as loosely as possible. Spare socks must be taken into the trenches by all ranks.

The Boots should be kept well greased in wet weather, and not be laced too tightly. Tight boots must not be allowed. when fitting on boots men must wear two pairs of socks.