STATUTORY RULES.
1923. No. 68.
REG"ULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1918
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this twenty-third day of May, 1923.
FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. K. BOWDEN,
Minister of State for Defence.
Australian Military Regulations, 1916.
Amendments.
A. The following regulation is inserted next after Regulation 218:—
“218a. Each year on the morning of Armistice Day, 11th November, at 11 o’clock, all troops are to stand at attention for two minutes, and all guards are to turn out and present arms”.
B. Regulation 224 is amended by deleting the words “Middle Head Fort” and substituting the words “George’s Heights”.
C. Regulation 225 is amended by deleting the words “South Head” and substituting the words “George’s Heights”.
D. Regulation 798 Sub-regulation (2) is repealed, and the following substituted therefor:—
“(2) Commanding Officers or their representatives will issue such notices half-yearly. Half-yearly programmes will be submitted to formation &c., commanders for approval ”.
E. Regulation 1209. Sub-regulation (2) is repealed and the following substituted thereof :—
“(2) Commanding Officers will issue half-yearly programmes of times and dates of drills, distributing drills as nearly as practicable throughout the year. Half-yearly programmes will be submitted to formaiton &c., commanders for approval”.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.7906.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Australian Military Regulations, 1916 were introduced to address the need for structured military governance and discipline in the Commonwealth of Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council under the Defence Act 1903-1918, these regulations aimed to provide clear guidelines and administrative procedures for the Australian military. The amendments, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1923 No. 68, reflect the evolving needs of the military during and after World War I, addressing specific operational changes and ensuring consistency in military protocols. These regulations include provisions for annual commemorations, such as the two-minute silence on Armistice Day, and updates to command structures, reflecting the policy objective of maintaining effective and responsive military governance.
Scope and Application
The Australian Military Regulations, 1916, amended by Statutory Rules 1923 No. 68, apply to all military personnel within the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing troops and guards mandated to observe specific ceremonies and protocols. This legislation mandates that on Armistice Day, 11th November, at 11 o'clock, all troops must stand at attention for two minutes, while all guards must turn out and present arms. Additionally, it modifies the locations previously mentioned in Regulations 224 and 225, substituting "Middle Head Fort" and "South Head" with "George's Heights." The Regulations also revise administrative procedures by requiring Commanding Officers or their representatives to issue half-yearly notices and programmes for drills, with these programmes to be submitted to formation and other commanders for approval. This legislation ensures a standardised approach to military conduct and administrative operations across the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of these regulations pertain to changes in existing military procedures and the introduction of new observances. Regulation 218a mandates that on Armistice Day, specifically on the morning of the 11th of November at 11 o’clock, all troops are to stand at attention for two minutes, and all guards are to turn out and present arms. This regulation is aimed at commemorating the end of hostilities in the First World War. Additionally, Regulations 224 and 225 have been amended to replace "Middle Head Fort" and "South Head" with "George’s Heights," likely reflecting changes in military installations or areas of operation. The half-yearly issuance of notices and programmes for drills, as outlined in Regulations 798 and 1209, now require Commanding Officers or their representatives to issue these notices and submit the programmes to formation and commanders for approval.
The obligations imposed by these regulations on military personnel and officers are primarily administrative and commemorative in nature. Troops are required to stand at attention on Armistice Day as a solemn observance of the end of World War I. Commanding Officers must ensure that half-yearly programmes for drills are issued and submitted for approval to higher command. This includes the specific timing and scheduling of drills to maintain operational readiness throughout the year. The changes in wording from "Middle Head Fort" to "George’s Heights" likely necessitate updates in documentation, maps, and other operational records to reflect the current military installations.
The regulations do not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches. However, it is reasonable to infer that failure to comply with these directives could result in disciplinary action under the Defence Act 1903-1918 or other relevant military laws. Disciplinary actions might include non-judicial punishment, court-martial, or other forms of administrative reprimand, depending on the severity and nature of the breach. These measures ensure that the observances and administrative requirements are strictly adhered to, maintaining the operational efficiency and respect for commemorative practices within the military.