Finance and Clerical Work
The financial difficulties met by an Army in the Field have been faced, and the C.-in-C. relieved from responsibility for them. An establishment of personnel to deal with Accounts and Audit accompanies the Army in the Field, and is stationed at the Base, so as to systematize the Finance and Accounts, and facilitate the custody and issue of cash for necessary administrative purposes.
A clerical establishment has been established in the Base Records Office, which should greatly relieve the fighting units from all possible clerical and office work which can be done at the Base.
Postal Service
A complete Postal Service for the Army in the Field has now been for the first time provided in the War Organization.
Reinforcements
The question of Reinforcements has been met by mobilizing with each Unit what are termed its First Reinforcements, at the rate of 10 per cent. of the rank and file. These accompany their Units to the theatre of operations, but are at first left at the Base in depôts which are organized on mobilization to receive them. From these depôts they can, when needed, be sent to reinforce their own Units at the front, without delay or confusion.
Reinforcements of “Second Line” Troops are provided from the “Imperial Service Section” of the Territorial Force, who can be sent abroad as Units for defence of Lines of Communication, escorting prisoners, guarding conquered territory, and all duties for which Second Line Troops are used in foreign armies.
Arrangements for Reinforcements in horses have been made, by registering private horses at home, and organizing the collection of horses purchased abroad, as well as by the organization of Remount Depôts on the L. of C.