8. The Works Service
The Director of Works carries out all Engineer services (apart from Railways and Telegraphs) required on the Lines of Communication. One Company of Engineers, without transport, is allotted for these services, and is supplemented by civil artisans and unskilled labourers, who are either brought from home, or hired locally.
The works on the Lines of Communication are described in [Chapter II.] Many are required at the Base in connection with the heavy work involved in landing troops, supplies, and stores, and sending them up to the front. For these purposes existing works may have to be adapted, or new ones constructed. All have to be maintained, and any plant required kept running. Works at the Base have to be of a semi-permanent character, in view of possible lengthy operations.
In addition, the Engineer Company provides workshops, and depôts of stores and material, which are established at the Base, the Advanced Bases, and at Railhead, for the use of the Engineers at the front.
9. The Postal Service
A military organization is needed with an Army in the field, so as to ensure regular postal communication to and from home. This is a modern innovation in war, but one of importance to the comfort and spirits of the troops, and is a service demanded by their friends at home and by the nation in general.
This service is controlled by the Director of Postal Services, who is attached to Head-Quarters of the Inspector-General of Communications.
A chief Post Office is established at the Base, where all incoming or outgoing mail is dealt with. It has a personnel of 85 of all ranks, furnished by the “Army Post Office Corps.”
Smaller Post Offices are established at the Advanced Bases, and others, each of four men, are allotted to posts on the Lines of Communication, and to Head-Quarters of Brigades and Divisions in the field.