Queen's Regulations & Admiralty Instructions - 1953 - Chapter 18 - Discipline (Part 1)

Contents
 
Queen's Regulations & Admiralty Instructions - 1953

Chapter 18

Discipline (Part 1)


  Section Articles
I Jurisdiction 1801-1825
II Discipline generally 1826-1848
III Representations and complaints 1849-1852
IV Duties and privileges of Chief Petty Officers, Petty Officers and Leading Ratings 1853-1855
V Classification for conduct 1856-1857
VI Assessment of character and "Very Good" conduct 1858-1870
VII Good conduct and good service badges 1871-1884
VIII Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and gratuity 1885-1899

Admiralty references: N.L.4753/48, N.L.5139/48, N.L.5175/48, N.L.3058/49, N.L.5822/49, N.L.5832/49, N.L.1129/50, N.L.1173/50, N.L.4523/50, N.L.2789/51, N.L.2986/51, N.L.4783/51, N.L.6787/51, N.L.915/52, N.L.1472/52,N.L.3237/52, N.L.3875/52, N.L.3982/52, E.F.0.3216/51, O.M.5172/51

SECTION I. JURISDICTION

This section summarises, for the purpose of convenient reference, the factors that give rise to naval jurisdiction. It must be appreciated that, should - there be any material distinction - it is the wording of the appropriate Act of Parliament, Order in Council, etc., that prevails.

1801. Naval Discipline Act. The authority for the trial and punishment of persons by naval court-martial, disciplinary court, or summarily by the Captain of a ship, is contained in the Naval Discipline Act. This Act lays down limitations as to its application to person, place and time which must be strictly observed.

1802. Jurisdiction as to person under the Naval Discipline Act is restricted to the following classes:- .

  1. Persons in or belonging to Her Majesty's Navy and borne on the books of any one of Her Majesty's ships in commission. (Officers on half-pay are not borne on the books of a ship and are therefore not subject to the Naval Discipline Act). Note: The term " borne on the books " for the purpose of the Naval Discipline Act denotes that the person is in actual service on full pay. " The books " need not necessarily mean the ship's ledger but any book, document or list which purports to contain the names of all or some of those who form the crew or complement of such ship in commission or its tenders, whether serving in the ship or on shore.
  2. Persons not otherwise subject to the Act who have entered into an engagement to serve in a particular ship, or in such ships as the Admiralty may determine, and have agreed to become subject to the Act.
  3. Her Majesty's land and air forces when embarked as passengers in Her Majesty's ships, but subject to such regulations as may be issued by Order-in-Council. See 1929 and Appendix 7.
  4. Persons ordered to be received or being passengers on board, but subject to such regulations as the Admiralty may direct, see 1817.

  5. 1803 DISCIPLINE (PART I)

  6. Spies, and also persons on board any of Her Majesty's ships and endeavouring to seduce persons subject to the Naval Discipline Act from their allegiance, can be tried by court-martial but not dealt with summarily.
  7. Persons previously subject to the Naval Discipline Act and sentenced under that Act to imprisonment or detention remain subject to the jurisdiction of the Naval Discipline Act for the purpose of such incarceration during the term of such incarceration notwithstanding that they may have been discharged or dismissed from Her Majesty's service or have in other re; respects ceased to be subject to that Act.

2. Officers and men of the Royal Marines, the Royal Air Force, the Naval Reserves, the Coastguard, and Commonwealth naval forces are also made subject to the Naval Discipline Act under the particular circumstances mentioned in the Acts governing those forces, extracts from which will be found in B.R. 11 Admiralty Memorandum on Naval Court-Martial Procedure.

3. Officers and men of the Army are not made subject to the Naval Discipline Act except to the limited extent provided for in Clause 1 (c) as passengers.

4. When ships or vessels of other Commonwealth navies are present at a place where a court-martial is ordered to be held, or where disciplinary matters involving subordinate officers or ratings borne on the books of a ship provided and maintained by another Commonwealth country are referred by the Captain to his Senior Officer or to the Commander-in-Chief, the instructions contained in Appendix 8 are to be observed.

1803. Jurisdiction as to place under the Naval Discipline Act is restricted to offences committed in the following places:

  1. Anywhere afloat.
  2. Anywhere on shore out of the United Kingdom.
  3. Anywhere on shore in the United Kingdom, for offences which are not punishable by the ordinary law but which are punishable under the Naval Discipline Act.
  4. Any naval establishment, or any other premises held by or on behalf of the Crown for naval or military purposes in the United Kingdom.
  5. Any canteen or sailors' home or any place of recreation placed at the disposal of or used by officers and men of Her Majesty's navy provided that it has been prescribed by the Admiralty. A list of places so prescribed is given in Appendix 5. The fact that premises have been prescribed permits offences committed on the premises to be dealt with under the Naval Discipline Act but it does not give any right of entry into the premises (e.g., by the naval patrol).

1804. Jurisdiction as to time under the Naval Discipline Act is restricted to offences committed and tried while the offender is subject to the Naval Discipline Act, provided that:

  1. An offence of mutiny or desertion may be tried at any time.
  2. Other offences may be tried if proceedings are instituted within three months after the offender has ceased to be subject to the Act.
  3. No person (other than an offender who has avoided apprehension or fled from justice) may be tried unless the trial takes place within three years from the commission of the offence, or, if the offender has been absent from the United Kingdom during the three years, within one year after his return to the United Kingdom.

2. The restriction in (b) does not affect the jurisdiction of a civil court where an offence is triable by such a court.

3. When an officer or rating is invalided and remains in hospital he ceases to be subject to the Naval Discipline Act as from the date of his discharge from the Service.

1805. Powers of Naval, Army and Air Force Provost Marshals. Under orders made jointly by the Admiralty, the Army Council and the Air Council, Provost Marshals of any of the three services may exercise powers over persons subject to the Naval Discipline Act or to military law or to the Air Force Act. The powers of the Provost Marshal are exercisable also by his assistants and by an officer or rating, marine, soldier or airman legally exercising authority under him or on his behalf, except that no officer can be arrested or detained otherwise than on the order of an another officer. See also 3221 (5) on ratings employed on regulating, patrol and sentry duties.


I. JURISDICTION 1810

1806. Officers and men subject to Air Force Act. Naval officers and men, and also Royal Marine officers and men borne on ships' books, who become subject to the Air Force Act (see 1808) remain on ships' books. If necessary and convenient, they may therefore be tried and punished under the Naval Discipline Act for offences against the Naval Discipline Act committed while they were subject to the Air Force Act.

1807. Naval Air Sections and Units at R.A.F. Stations. During any period in which a Naval Air Section is established, or an organised Naval Air Unit is disembarked and serving at a Royal Air Force Station, the Naval Discipline Act will apply to all members of the section or unit borne on ships' books whether they belong to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines or Royal Air Force. See 1923 on powers of summary punishment.

2. During any period in which individuals or members of naval detachments not constituting organised units are disembarked at a Royal Air Force Station at which there is a Naval Air Section and are serving therewith, they will continue to be borne on ships' books and remain subject to the Naval Discipline Act whether they belong to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines or Royal Air Force.

3. Naval Air Sections or organised Naval Air Units accommodated at Royal Air Force Stations are to conform to any flying or administrative arrangements deemed necessary by the Commanding Officer of the station.

1808. R.A.F. Stations without Naval Air Sections. During any period in which individuals or members of naval detachments not constituting organised units are disembarked at a Royal Air Force Station at which there is no Naval Air Section, they will, if belonging to the Royal Air Force, be discharged from ships' books, or, if belonging to the Royal Navy, be regarded as lent to the Royal Air Force. In either case they will be subject to the Air Force Act from the time of entering and until leaving the Royal Air Force Station for a ship or naval establishment.

2. Where individuals are flying to a Royal Air Force Station not having a Naval Air Section for the purpose of training or other attachment but not for a casual visit, they will become subject to the Air Force Act from the time when they first arrive in the aerodrome control zone of their destination. They will remain so subject until leaving the aerodrome control zone of the station for a ship or naval establishment, when the Naval Discipline Act will alone apply. These rules apply equally to persons flying to and from Royal Air Force flying boat bases.

3. Officers and men detailed for training at Royal Air Force Stations are hereby declared, for the purposes of the Air Force Act, to be lent to the Air Force. Together with their naval instructional staff they will come under Air Force discipline, as in Clause 1, while continuing to be borne on ships' books. Royal Marines serving on shore under the Army Act who are detailed for service or training at a Royal Air Force Station are subject to the Air Force Act under Section 175 (1A) and Section 176 (1A) of that Act.

4. A naval officer or petty officer who is an individual member, or a member of a detachment, of the Royal Navy and becomes subject to the Air Force Act will, for the purposes of command and discipline within the Royal Air Force Station and for the purposes of exercising within that station any powers of punishment that may be vested in him by the Air Council or by the Commanding Officer of such station, and while so subject to the Air Force Act and serving at a Royal Air Force Station in the manner indicated, be treated and have all such powers over the naval and Air Force personnel serving at the station as if he were an Air Force officer, warrant officer or non-commissioned officer as the case may be.

5. The relative rank of officers and petty officers will be as provided in Article 0195.

1809. R.A.F. Units serving in H.M. Ships. Officers and men of the Royal Air Force embarked for service in H.M. ships will be placed under the command and administration of the Captain of the ship. They will be borne on ships' books and will, under Section 179 of the Air Force Act, be subject to the Naval Discipline Act. Warrant Officers of the Royal Air Force are not to be tried or punished summarily for offences committed when they are subject to the Naval Discipline Act.

1810. R.A.F. personnel serving at Naval Air Stations. During any period in which officers and men of the Royal Air Force are serving at a Naval Air Station, the general principles in Article 1807 and Article 1808 (1) and (2), will apply in a converse sense, i.e. members of the Royal Air Force constituting a Royal Air Force unit will remain subject to the Air Force Act, and


1811 DISCIPLINE (PART I)

individuals not forming part of an organised unit of the Royal Air Force will be entered on ships' books and become subject to the Naval Discipline Act. See also 1809.

1811. Royal Marines. Under Section 179 of the Army Act and Order-in-Council of the 6th February 1882 made thereunder, Royal Marines are subject to the Naval Discipline Act when borne on the books of one of Her Majesty's ships in commission, whether as part complement, as supernumeraries or for service on shore in battalions or otherwise. They are therefore to be entered on the books of such ships, and shall be entitled to the same advantages, and be subject to the same discipline, as the rest of the ship's company; but if any such officers or men are employed on land, the senior naval officer present, if it seems to him expedient, may order that during such employment they shall be subject to military law under the provisions of the Army Act. See also 3923 Authority afloat.

2. The expressions " borne on the books of any ship commissioned by Her Majesty " and " embarked on board " as used in the section of the Army Act and the Order-in-Council mentioned in Clause 1 do not necessarily connote " borne for pay." Royal Marines are " embarked " on board if they have been properly drafted to the ship, whether they receive their pay on ships' books or otherwise.

3. Royal Marines who are borne on the books of one of H.M. ships in commission can be tried and punished under the Naval Discipline Act, but see Clause 4. When placed under the Army Act in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1, they are subject to that Act, and where disciplinary action is required they must be dealt with under that Act.

4. Royal Marine ranks taking passage from one unit serving under the Army Act to another unit under the Army Act (either individually, as a formed body, or as a complete unit) are subject to the Army Act throughout. If travelling in H.M. ships, they are, however, also subject to the provisions of Appendix 7 by virtue of Section 88 of the Naval Discipline Act.

5. Royal Marine ranks taking passage, other than those in Clause 4, are borne as follows:

  1. If travelling in H.M. ship-on the books of that ship. They are subject to the Naval Discipline Act.
  2. If travelling in other than H.M. ship (e.g. transport)-in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XIX of B.R. 1950 Naval Pay Regulations. In addition, a R.M. rank should be borne on List 17 of the local naval depot ship for the period of a passage if, on being drafted from a unit under the Army Act to one of H.M. ships, it is necessary for him to take passage in a hired transport or other merchant vessel to join that ship.

1812. Amphibious Warfare establishments. The disciplinary status of members of the naval and marine forces serving in Amphibious Warfare establishments will vary according to the officer in command:

  1. When the unit is commissioned as one of H.M. ships:

    A naval or Royal Marine officer will be in command and naval and Royal Marine personnel will be subject to the Naval Discipline Act.
  2. When the unit is not commissioned as one of H.M. ships:

    1. NAVAL OR ROYAL MARINE OFFICER IN COMMAND: Members of the naval and marine forces will be borne on ships' books and remain subject to the Naval Discipline Act. As the officer in immediate command of a force on detached service, the officer in charge may exercise under Article 1923 the power of awarding summary punishments to naval ratings and Royal Marine other ranks. Delegation of powers of summary punishment under Article 1922 (3) can be effected only by the officer in command of the ship on whose books the Royal Marine other ranks are borne.
    2. ARMY OR R.A.F. OFFICER IN COMMAND: Members of the naval forces will be borne on ships' books and remain subject to the Naval Discipline Act. Offences committed by them must be referred to the Commanding Officer of the ship on whose books they are borne. Members of the Royal Marines will normally be subject to the Army Act.

1813. Admiralty Constabulary are not subject to the Naval Discipline Act, but to a special code of discipline. When serving in naval establishments they are not to be borne on ships' books.

2. The Admiralty Constabulary are on the same footing as the local constabulary, and the Captain has no authority to issue any instructions to them or to interfere in any way with their administration.


I. JURISDICTION 1817

It is the duty of the senior police officer to meet the Captain's wishes in every way possible but when the Captain's requirements are beyond the capacity of the Admiralty Constabulary, or if they conflict with the instructions that the police have received from their own superior officers, the senior police officer will inform the Captain and the Area Police Officer that he cannot comply with the Captain's wishes. See 2961 (2) (d) on responsibility for ratings leaving naval establishments.

3. In any case of doubt or difficulty, the Captain is to refer to the Area Police Officer.

1814. Sea transport officers in peace-time are employed as civilians. In time of war or emergency certain sea transport officers may be granted naval rank and, when borne on the books of one of H.M. ships in commission, will become subject to the Naval Discipline Act. As naval officers they will come under the control of the Captain of their ship and of the senior naval officer of the area to which they are appointed in matters of discipline to the same extent as other naval officers. All disciplinary questions affecting such officers, including proposals for relief on grounds of misconduct, are then to be dealt with through the usual Service channels and not direct with the Director of Sea Transport.

2. Whether serving as civilians or as naval officers, sea transport officers are responsible to the Director of Sea Transport and not to the Admiralty and it is not open to naval authorities to alter the duties of sea transport officers or their staffs, see 1791.

1815. Men detailed for duty with the W.R.N.S. or under civilian organisations. Members of the Women's Royal Naval Service and Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service and the civilian staff of training and educational establishments and of private firms where ratings are undergoing training, including vocational training, cannot give lawful commands as superior officers within the meaning of the Naval Discipline Act.

2. Men detailed for duty or training under such organisations are to comply with any proper instructions given to them by competent civilian authority. This regulation is to be brought to their notice on being so detailed, and any breach of it may then be charged and tried as an act to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline.

1816. Officers and men lent to merchant ships, R.F.A.s, etc. When officers and men are lent to merchant ships under Article 2734, they are to comply with any instructions given to them by the Master and officers of the merchant ship under whom they may be placed, and any breach of this regulation may be dealt with as an act to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline under the Naval Discipline Act. Commanding Officers are to bring this article to the notice of all officers and ratings so lent.

1817. Passengers. The following regulations are to be observed with reference to Section 89 of the Naval Discipline Act:

  1. Any person, although not belonging to H.M. naval or military or air services, who, while on board one of H.M. ships as a passenger, shall commit any offence against the good order and discipline of the Navy may be placed under such restraint by the officer in command of the ship in which he has embarked as the offence or offences committed by him may appear to justify or render necessary, and the officer who has occasion to place any such passenger in arrest shall take the earliest opportunity that presents itself of reporting the circumstances to the first senior officer he may fall in with, in order that it may be determined after due investigation whether the alleged offender shall be released from arrest or continue in arrest until termination of the voyage for which he is embarked, or whether he shall be transferred to some other ship; but passengers who shall be guilty of the offences specified in Sections 6 and 13 of the Naval Discipline Act shall be tried by naval court-martial, and punished according to the provisions of the said Act.
  2. If any passenger while on board one of H.M. ships shall commit any criminal offence punishable by the laws of the United Kingdom, he may also be kept under such restraint as is necessary until an opportunity shall offer of delivering him over to a civil tribunal competent to try him for the same.
  3. Officers, petty officers and others who, upon being invalided or discharged, may be ordered or permitted to take passage in any of H.M. ships, and persons sentenced under the Naval Discipline Act, so long as they are borne on the books of the ship in which they are embarked as passengers, shall be deemed to be persons in and belonging to H.M. Navy, and shall be subject in every respect, according to their several ranks and ratings, to the Naval Discipline Act in so far as that Act relates to the trial and punishment of offenders.

1910. DISCIPLINE (PART 1)

1818. Canteen staff. Except when in time of war or emergency the canteen staff are entered on naval engagements, they are subject to the Naval Discipline Act only in so far as it applies to passengers, see 1817.

1819. Offences by civilians. By the Naval Enlistment Act 1853 any person who shall, without the previous consent of the Commanding Officer, bring on board any ship any spirituous or fermented liquor, or shall approach or hover about such ship for the purpose of bringing on board, giving or selling spirituous or fermented liquors without the previous sanction of the Commanding Officer, or shall approach or hover about any such ship for the purpose of aiding any officer or man in H.M. service to desert or improperly to absent himself from his ship, is liable to a penalty not exceeding X10. Any officer, petty officer, or non-commissioned officer, with or without a warrant may, under the 12th Section of the Act, apprehend any offender or person so acting, and may take him or cause him to be taken before a justice to be dealt with summarily, care being taken to follow strictly the provisions of the statutes.

2. Persons not otherwise subject to the Naval Discipline Act are also punishable under Sections 25 and 26 of that Act for assisting or persuading men to desert or improperly absent themselves. See also 1802 (1) (d and e).

1820. Women's Royal Naval Service. Members of the Women's Royal Naval Service, although not subject to the Naval Discipline Act or other disciplinary regulations laid down in the Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, belong to a disciplined force serving under its own disciplinary code. The Women's Royal Naval Service is a permanent and integral part of the naval service and is regarded, in all respects other than its subjection to a separate disciplinary code, as part of the Royal Navy itself.

2. Ratings on entry voluntarily accept the code of discipline and punishments prescribed in B.R. 1077 Regulations and Instructions for the Women's Royal Naval Service, in which are laid down the powers of punishment that may be exercised by the Captain and which may be delegated by him to the Unit Officer.


SECTION II. DISCIPLINE GENERALLY

1826. Articles of War. The printed sheets containing so much of the Naval Discipline Act as relates to the punishment of offences, namely, the Articles of War, are to be displayed in an accessible part of the ship for the information of the ship's company. Extracts from the Articles of War are to be read to all ratings during their new entry training, after they have received instruction in punishments; in the case of re-entered men, extracts are to be read to them before their first draft from the Depot.

2. Extracts from the Articles of War are to be read on board all ships at the first opportunity after commissioning.

1827. Maintenance of good order. It is the duty of every officer, chief petty officer, petty officer and leading rating (or equivalent ratings) of all branches of the Service to ensure that order and regularity are preserved in his vicinity among those officers and men, of whatever branch and whether on duty or not, who hold a rank, or rating, junior to him; and the provisions of Article 0141 (7) (Military Command) are not to be taken as precluding him from giving any orders to such persons junior to him as are necessary to enable him to carry out this duty.

2. CONDUCT TO BE OBSERVED. All officers and men are to conduct themselves with the utmost respect to their superior officers and with strict obedience to their orders. They are at all times to discharge every part of their duty with zeal and alacrity, and so far as circumstances admit to assist all officers in the duties they have to perform. They should on all occasions strive to promote the welfare of the naval service and by the good order and regularity of their conduct show an example to those who may be subject to their command.

3. All officers and men are to discountenance and endeavour to repress all cursing, swearing, drunkenness and dissolute conduct. They are to abstain from gaming, rioting, quarrelling, and


II. DISCIPLINE GENERALLY 1833

from abusive and irritating language, especially to inferiors, and are at all times to exert their influence against all that tends to the disparagement of religion and the encouragement of vice and immorality.

1828. Remarks or criticisms on superiors. Except as specifically permitted in Section III no officer or other person shall make remarks or pass criticisms on the conduct or orders of his superiors which may tend to bring them into contempt. No officer shall say or do anything which, if heard or seen by or reported to those under him, might discourage them or render them dissatisfied with their condition or with the service on which they are or may be employed.

1829. Conflicting orders. If an officer should receive from his superior an order which he deems at variance with his obedience to any article in these Regulations and Instructions, or with any particular order that may have been issued by the Admiralty or other superior officer, he is to represent orally-or in writing if it does not require immediate obedience-such contrariety to the officer from whom he receives it. If after such representation that officer shall still direct him to obey the order, he is to do so; but if he thinks it necessary, he may report the circumstances, as the case may require, through his Captain to his Commander-in-Chief or to the Admiralty, to whom every officer has the right of ultimate appeal through the proper channel.

1830. Unnecessary expense, fraud, etc. Every officer is strictly enjoined to avoid all unnecessary public expense, and, so far as may depend upon him, to prevent it in others. See 4606, Losses and improper expenditure.

2. Every officer is to report any neglect, collusion, or fraud which he may discover or know of in any contractor, agent or person concerned in supplying stores or provisions, or in executing any naval works either ashore or afloat.

1831. Presents. Officer and men are not to accept presents from any foreign sovereign, state or functionary or, in respect of acts performed in their official capacity, from any private source, unless the permission of the Admiralty has previously been obtained.

2. They are not to allow themselves to be complimented by presents or by any collective expression of opinion from officers or ships' companies.

3. They must at all times guard against being placed in such a position as may lay them open to the suspicion of being influenced in the discharge of their duty by other than purely public considerations. They must be scrupulously careful in their relations and must have no private transactions with contractors with whom they may be in contact in the course of their duties, or with their agents or employees, except with the permission of the Admiralty, which must be specifically requested. Even where Admiralty permission is granted, no favour or preference whether as regards price, date of delivery, or any other matter is to be accepted which is not equally open to members of the general public or to the Service as a whole.

4. Sums of money and gifts in kind offered to Her Majesty's ships for general welfare purposes are not to be regarded as subject to the above mentioned provisions. Gifts may be accepted provided they are administered by the ship's Welfare Committee and that monetary gifts do not exceed ten shillings per head per annum. Ships receiving offers in excess of this scale, and those which do not have Ship's Funds of their own, should refer the matter to their Administrative Authorities, who may approve, subject to such limitations of amount and conditions of expenditure as they deem appropriate. There is no restriction on the expenditure of such gifts beyond what may be specified by the donors.

1832. Entertainment of officers by ratings. Subject to the approval of the Senior Naval Officer in any doubtful instances, officers may exercise their discretion as to attendance at dances, concerts, formal dinners or other similar functions given or organised by ratings, provided that they attend in uniform, and that ratings are also in uniform and that the function is not in honour of any officer invited. Where such entertainments are given outside a naval establishment, the Senior Naval Officer may give permission for the rules as to the wearing of uniform to be waived on such occasions as he may consider the wearing of plain clothes more- appropriate.

1833. Interest in contracts and purchases. No person in Her Majesty's fleet is permitted to have any pecuniary interest or personal advantage:-

  1. in any Admiralty contract, or in the purchase of provisions or stores of any kind for the use of Her Majesty's service, unless the extent of his interest bas been fully disclosed and Admiralty approval given for the contract or purchase to proceed notwithstanding such interest, or


  2. 1834. DISCIPLINE (PART I)

  3. in any purchase of provisions or stores for the use of any other person in Her Majesty's fleet, except where the purchaser is under contract as a messman to an officers' mess.

2. It is the duty of all persons in Her Majesty's fleet, if they have occasion to come into official contact with any matter concerning a business organisation in which they have an interest, to disclose that interest to their Commanding Officers, and to request that someone else may deal with the case.

3. Any officer on the Retired List rejoining for service, and any naval pensioner called out, is required to disclose to the Admiralty particulars of his interest in companies or firms to which Admiralty contracts are granted, and is forbidden, whilst re-employed, to acquire any further shares or interest in such companies or firms without the approval of the Admiralty.

1834. Business Appointments. Officers on the Active List on full pay, or holding an appointment under the Admiralty, and naval ratings or Royal Marines while serving, are forbidden to hold the post of director of a company.

2. An exception to this rule will be permissible in cases in which the following conditions are fulfilled, namely:

  1. that the company is a private one;
  2. that the stock is neither quoted nor sold in the open market;
  3. that the directors do not give personal attendance, but are allowed in all cases to vote by proxy.

In every such instance the sanction of the Admiralty must be obtained, each case being decided on its merits.

1835. Private employment, extra-official activities and limitation of payments. The approval of the Admiralty is to be obtained before any serving officer or rating accepts an invitation to act in an expert or advisory capacity in connection with any corporation, company or private undertaking. The Captain is to be consulted if any doubt exists about undertaking private work.

2. Serving officers and ratings are to obtain the sanction of the Admiralty or of the Commander-in-Chief as appropriate before undertaking any extra-official activity involving the use of official information and/or of their official experience. Permission is to be sought if practicable, before the activity is actually begun on the basis of an outline of what is proposed; otherwise, it is essential that permission be sought before the product of the activity is disposed of.

3. The amount of extra remuneration any servant of the Crown, whether naval or civil, whatever his rank or grade, may receive in the form of fees etc. from Government services (excluding payments from the B.B.C., local authorities or grant-aided bodies) for work outside his official duties, is limited to ,250 in any calendar year. This limit is not to be exceeded save in exceptional circumstances and the spreading of payments in excess of k250 over more than one calendar year in order to avoid the limit will not be allowed. Claims are to be preferred immediately after the work is performed and, where payment is to be from naval funds, supported by a certificate in the following terms:

  • With reference to Q.R. & A.I., Article 1835, I certify that the extra remuneration claimed
  • or paid to me from Government sources during the current calendar year does not exceed the limit of �250."
  • This certificate is to accompany the authority when referred to the Director of Navy Accounts for payment.

    1836. Bankruptcy. Any officer on the Active List or any naval rating or Royal Marine while serving, against whom a receiving order in bankruptcy is made, or who voluntarily files a petition in bankruptcy, is to report the fact immediately to the Admiralty.

    1837. Purchase or sale of government stores. No person in Her Majesty's fleet or other person in the service of the Crown is permitted to bid at public auction sales of government stores. No purchase shall be made from, and no sale shall be made to, any person in Her Majesty's fleet or other person in the service of the Crown except as follows.

    2. WITHOUT FURTHER AUTHORITY

    1. Transactions occurring in the ordinary course of public business, e.g., the purchase of Stationery Office publications, National Savings certificates, postage stamps, money orders, etc.

    2. II. DISCIPLINE GENERALLY 1840

    3. Supplies on repayment arising out of the conditions of Admiralty employment, and authorized by definite regulations issued from time to time by the Admiralty. The prices charged are invariably to be such as will ensure that no loss to the Crown arises except in cases where special Admiralty instructions are issued to the contrary. Examples are supplies of provisions, clothing, etc., on board ship; gas, electric current, lamps, coal, coke and firewood to occupants of residences at dockyards, articles manufactured by vocational training classes as provided for in B.R. 1797 Further Education and Vocational Training.
    4. Abroad only.-Supplies, on repayment, of stores not surplus to requirements, provided all the following conditions are fulfilled :-
      1. The applicant's requirements cannot be met by the outside trade.
      2. No inconveniences to the Service will result.
      3. The same charges will be made as would be applicable to private individuals.
      4. The prior and specific approval of the Senior Naval Officer or Superintendent of the yard is obtained in writing.

    3. IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES (which must be represented to the Admiralty in detail) WITH SPECIFIC PRIOR ADMIRALTY AUTHORITY.

    1. Purchases from government servants.-An example would be the purchase from an officer of an article or apparatus which he had originally obtained at his own cost for Service purposes (if approved).
    2. Sales of old or surplus stocks, and (at home) supplies on repayment of stores not surplus to requirements.-No preferential treatment of government servants as compared with private persons is permissible, either as to price or in any other way. Articles unobtainable from the private trade and not required for commercial purposes, and articles of sentimental value to the applicant (such as ships' bells, war souvenirs, etc.) which would otherwise be disposed of by sale, come under this head when approved.

    1838. Use of dockyard labour. Dockyard labour is not to be employed on behalf of government servants, except as allowed by existing regulations governing the establishment concerned. Abroad, where work cannot be undertaken by the outside trade, dockyard labour may also be employed on behalf of persons in Her Majesty's fleet or others in the service of the Crown, provided all the following conditions are fulfilled:

    1. The work can be performed without inconvenience to the Service.
    2. The same charges will be made as to private individuals.
    3. The prior and specific approval of the Superintendent of the yard on Form D.461 is obtained.

    1839. Trafficking, etc. No officer or man is to engage in any moneylending, bookmaking or betting business, either on his own account or as agent for others, nor is he to act as agent in ships or establishments for any commercial undertaking. See 1561 (3) on bookstalls.

    2. The distribution of circulars or advertisements for the promotion of raffles is prohibited.

    3. Except as authorised for officers' messes and for wet canteens (see 1522), no sort of beer, wine or spirituous liquor is to be sold by any person. All loan, transfer, gift, or barter of spirit or intoxicating drink and the unauthorised bringing of such drink on board one of Her Majesty's ships or into a boat is prohibited.

    4. No trading is to take place without the written sanction of the Captain. Ratings may however be permitted to sell certain articles of their kit as provided for in Article 3130.

    1840. Tradesmen on board. The Captain may grant permission to tradesmen to board Her Majesty's ships or enter naval establishments for the purpose of selling their goods or obtaining orders, but such permission should be granted only where necessary to prevent real inconvenience to the ship's company. The Captain has full discretion to exclude any or all tradesmen without informing them of his reasons.

    2. It is against the best interests of the ship's company, particularly young ratings, that they should be granted extensive credit facilities, and such inducements would be good grounds for permission to trade on board being withheld from tradesmen concerned.

    3. Tradesmen may not be given passage in Her Majesty's ships.


    1841. DISCIPLINE (PART I)

    1841. Private firearms. Officers are responsible for keeping their private firearms under lock and key when not in use on board Her Majesty's ships or in a naval establishment. See also 3143 (7) on inspection of firearms brought on board.

    2. No person below the rank of officer is to carry private firearms, air pistols, air or spring guns or to keep such arms or ammunition for such arms in his personal care on board Her Majesty's ships or in any naval establishment. See also Appendix 10, paragraph 8.

    3. The Captain may grant permission for any man below the rank of officer to possess private firearms for use in competitions or for other pastimes such as shooting game, but otherwise such weapons are to be kept in a place of safety and only issued temporarily and under proper safeguards.

    4. When private firearms are handed in for safe keeping in accordance with Clause 7 or 8 the ammunition for them is also to be handed in for safe custody, and issued as required, at the Commanding Officer's discretion. Attention is drawn to Article 2986 (1) (c) on the stowage of private ammunition.

    5. Contravention of this article is to be treated as a serious offence.

    6. A rating who does not wish to reclaim a firearm handed in as required by this article is to sign a statement to that effect; the firearm and ammunition are then to be sent to the nearest Armament Supply Officer for disposal.

    7. FIREARMS SURRENDERED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

    1. A rating who hands in a firearm for which a firearm certificate is required under the Firearms Act 1937 is to be informed that a firearm certificate is required by law and that he must produce a firearm certificate before the firearm and ammunition can be returned to him in the United Kingdom.
    2. If the weapon is returned to a rating outside the United Kingdom he is to be warned of any local civil regulations governing the carrying of private firearms.

    8. FIREARMS SURRENDERED OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM

    1. Ratings abroad who hand in firearms are to be given the information and warning as prescribed in Clause 7 (a), and in addition, if they obtained the firearm abroad, are to be informed of the import regulations as laid down in Appendix 10. If a weapon, for which no import licence has been issued, is claimed by the rating on return to the United Kingdom, the Customs authorities are to be informed when they come on board.
    2. The provisions of Clause 7 (b) apply to firearms handed in abroad and returned abroad, but if the owner of a firearm claims it and is returning to the United Kingdom other than by Her Majesty's ship, he is to be informed in the sense of Clause 8 (o.) and notification is to be sent to the appropriate Customs and Excise authority.

    9. A firearm not returned to a rating when he leaves the ship, because he fails to produce a firearm certificate., is to be forwarded to the Armament Supply Officer at the rating's home port, or, if the rating's home Depot is Lee-on-Solent, to the Commodore, who will keep the firearm for three years. If it is not properly claimed at the end of that period the firearm is to be sent to the nearest Armament Depot for disposal. The rating is to be informed accordingly the first time the return of the firearm is refused.

    10. Instructions for the disposal of firearms and ammunition found amongst the effects of deceased persons are given in Articles 1665 (4) (c) and 1668 (4).

    11. Appendix 10 contains in simple form those provisions of the Firearms Act 1937 of particular concern to officers and ratings and sets out the requirements which must be fulfilled before a firearm can be imported into, or exported from, the United Kingdom.

    1842. Articles found lying about. Specific directions are to be given in ships' orders for the disposal of all articles found lying about which are not the property of the finder. A person found to be in wrongful possession of the property of another in circumstances which do not meet the technical requirements for a charge of theft may then, if the facts warrant it, be charged with neglect to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline in not handing over to the proper authority the articles which to his knowledge had come into his possession without the consent of the owners. See also 4845, Stores found.

    1843. Persons drunk on shore. A person who is too drunk on shore to return on foot without discredit to the Service or prejudice to good order may be taken to his ship or establishment by cab or other conveyance and the fare recovered from his pay.


    III. REPRESENTATIONS AND COMPLAINTS 1850

    1844. Women on board or on passage. No woman is to be allowed to reside on board or to take passage in a ship, except with the express permission of the Admiralty, or, abroad, when time and circumstances do not admit of a reference home, by permission of the Commander-in-Chief or Flag Officer.

    2. This authority may only be exercised by a Commander-in-Chief or Flag Officer abroad when the ship is about to make a direct passage from one port to another, but on no account is it to be exercised when ships are cruising for practice, or for evolutionary purposes, and : very case is to be reported specially to the Admiralty.

    3. Whenever a Senior Officer, on the formal requisition of an ambassador, minister, chargé d'affaires, or consul, or the Governor or Lieutenant-Governor of a colony, may receive or order to be received any woman for passage, he is to report the circumstances to his Commander-in-Chief for the information of the Admiralty.

    SECTION III. REPRESENTATIONS AND COMPLAINTS

    1849. Combinations. All combinations of officers or men formed for the purpose of bringing about alterations in the existing regulations or customs of the Service, whether affecting their interests individually or collectively, are prohibited as being contrary to the traditions and practice of the Service and injurious to its welfare and discipline.

    2. Every person is fully authorised individually to make known to his superior any proper cause of complaint, but individuals are not to combine, either by the appointment of committees or in any other manner; nor are they to sign collectively memorials, petitions or applications, nor to obtain signatures to such documents.

    1850. Representations affecting welfare and conditions of service. Any chief petty officer, petty officer, non-commissioned officer, or man who wishes to make any representation affecting his welfare, or who has any suggestion to make connected with the Service, should bring the subject to the notice of his Divisional Officer through his divisional petty officer or non-commissioned officer, see 3126.

    2. Whether the matter affects one individual or more than one individual, the procedure laid down in Clause 1 is invariably to be followed, that is to say each person must make his own representation. The instructions in Article 1849 are to be carefully observed.

    3. If the representation is one with which the Divisional Officer cannot himself deal, he shall bring it to the notice of the Executive Officer (through the departmental officer where applicable), and subsequently, if necessary, through him to the Captain, and so to higher authority as circumstances may require.

    4. It is the duty of every chief petty officer, petty officer, non-commissioned officer, or leading rating to keep himself informed of any cause of complaint or dissatisfaction among the men, and to inform his Divisional Officer so that the matter may be investigated. A copy of this clause is to be kept permanently posted on a notice board in all chief petty officers' and petty officers' messes.

    5. The instructions in this article do not alter:-

    1. The procedure by which men may bring requests before Inspecting Officers at inspections in accordance with. the custom of the Service.
    2. The custom by which any rating is allowed to request, through his Divisional Officer, to see the Captain with regard to matters of a private nature.
    3. The custom by which complaints of an immediate nature, other than those about food, may be taken before the Officer of the Watch.
    4. The customary procedure by which complaints of an immediate nature about food in ships and establishments under the general mess system are in the first instance taken to the senior Cook rating in the galley, or in ships and establishments organised for centralised messing, to the rating in charge of the dining hall.

    5. 1851 DISCIPLINE (PART I)

    6. The procedure by which local questions of welfare and amenities may be dealt with by the Welfare Committee, see 1501 (2).
    7. The procedure under Article 5201 (6) for submitting appeals against Admiralty decisions on matters relating to pay, etc.

    1851. Complaints of injustice and ill-treatment. If an officer, chief petty officer, petty officer, non-commissioned officer or man thinks that he has suffered any personal oppression, injustice or other ill-treatment, or that he has been treated unjustly in any way, he may, after due consideration, make complaint in accordance with the following rules, and any other method of seeking redress from a superior authority, save those mentioned in this and the preceding article, is forbidden.

    1. To whom the complaint is to be made. If the complainant be a Flag Officer, or the Captain of one of Her Majesty's ships, his complaint is to be in writing, and addressed to his immediate superior.
    2. If the complainant be an officer serving under the command of the Captain of one of Her Majesty's ships, his complaint is to be made orally to the Captain, in accordance with the Service custom whereby a complainant is to make an oral request to see the Captain for that purpose.

      If the complainant be an officer below the rank of Captain, such request should be made through the Executive Officer.

      If the complainant be a chief petty officer, petty officer, non-commissioned officer or man, his complaint is to be made orally to the Captain, in accordance with the Service custom whereby a complainant is to make an oral request to see the Captain for that purpose. Such request should be made to the Executive Officer through the complainant's Divisional Officer, see 3124 and 3126.

    3. Assistance to the complainant. If the complainant be an officer of junior rank, a chief petty officer, petty officer, non-commissioned officer or man, he may request any officer in his ship to advise him and assist him in the statement of his case at all stages. If no such request is made it will be the duty of the Divisional Officer or such other officer as the Captain may detail to give his assistance. Such officer is to point out to the complainant the rules under (c) following.
    4. Rules to be observed by the complainant. The following rules for preferring complaints are to be adhered to :-
      1. Complaints are to be confined to a statement of the facts complained of and to the alleged consequences to the complainant himself.
      2. Joint complaints by two or more persons are not allowed; each individual is to make his own complaint.
      3. It is an offence against good order and naval discipline to make a complaint, either oral or written, which includes a statement of fact which is untrue to the knowledge of the complainant.
      4. It is an offence against good order and naval discipline to make a complaint in terms which comprise language or comments that are disrespectful or insubordinate or subversive of discipline, except in so far as such language or comments are necessary for an adequate statement of the facts.
    5. How the complaint is to be dealt with. On receipt of any complaint, the Captain or other officer receiving the same shall satisfy himself that the complaint is made in accordance with this regulation. He is then to deal with it in the exercise of his discretion as may seem to him right, and cause the complainant to be informed of his decision.
    6. If the Captain should refuse or be unable to remedy the complaint so made, the complainant may respectfully ask that he may be allowed to make his complaint in writing, and on receiving such request, the Captain is to give the complainant 24 hours to reconsider the matter. The complainant, while still having the assistance of the officer referred to in (b), may then address his complaint to the Captain in writing. The Captain is then to forward the complaint to his next superior officer, together with his own remarks thereon, to be dealt within in accordance with the preceding sub-clause.

    7. If the complainant is not satisfied. If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision on his complaint, he may request that his complaint be forwarded to the next superior authority and so on to the Commander-in-Chief and finally to the Admiralty to be dealt with in accordance with (d), and all such requests shall be complied with. The complainant is only justified in

    IV. DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS, ETC. 1853

    appealing direct to a superior authority when the authority to whom such a request is made has neglected or refused to forward the complaint.

    2. No officer, chief petty officer, petty officer, non-commissioned officer or man shall be penalised for having made a complaint in accordance with these rules.

    3. Form 5.272 containing the gist of this section so far as it affects chief petty officers, petty officers, non-commissioned officers and men, is to be kept permanently displayed in an accessible part of the ship for the information of the ship's company, to whom it is to be read quarterly.

    4. COMPLAINTS AGAINST PUNISHMENTS. Any man who wishes to make a complaint against a punishment should do so as early as practicable whilst it is still possible to ascertain the facts and explore fully the grounds of his complaint. Such complaints should not be delayed until the completion of the punishment.

    SECTION IV. DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS, PETTY OFFICERS AND LEADING RATINGS

    1853. Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers (or equivalent ratings) of all branches. The discipline of Her Majesty's ships and establishments and the comfort of the men is dependent in a great measure on the manner in which chief petty officers and petty officers carry out their duties and maintain their position, and it is essential that the importance of their position and of the influence which they should exercise on the discipline, efficiency and morale of the Service as a whole should be realised throughout the Service.

    2. Chief petty officers and petty officers are not advanced to those ratings solely as a result of seniority and on passing certain examinations. They must possess personality and tact, and be ready to accept the responsibilities of their position. They should work at all times for the well-being and efficiency of the Service as a whole. They should set an example of loyalty and discipline and must obey the orders of their superiors with the same cheerfulness and alacrity with which they expect to be obeyed by their inferiors. Captains and officers look to them for loyal support in maintaining the efficiency and traditions of the Navy. Junior ratings look to them for direction and assistance.

    3. It is the duty of every chief petty officer and petty officer (or equivalent rating) of all branches of the Service to ensure that order and regularity are preserved in his vicinity among those men, of whatever branch and whether on duty or not, who hold a rank or rating junior to him. See 1827 Maintenance of good order and 3221 (5) Regulating duties. A copy of this clause is to be kept permanently posted on notice boards in all chief petty officers' and petty officers' messes. See Form 5.1291.

    4. All chief petty officers and petty officers are to be granted every reasonable indulgence. They are to be made to feel that confidence is reposed in them, and are to be treated with the consideration which is due to the position of trust which they hold. To this end the following rules are to be observed with regard to them:

    1. The prefix " Chief Petty Officer " or " Petty Officer," or the corresponding, prefix for non-seaman ratings, is to be used by all ranks and ratings when addressing or speaking of men holding those ratings.
    2. They are to be shewn in the ledger distinct from lower ratings. The separation is to be made by classes (Seaman, Engine-room, etc.) and chief petty officers and petty officers are to be shown on separate sub-divisions of their respective lists. See B.R. 1950 Naval Pay Regulations.
    3. On all occasions of men falling in they are to do so separately from lower ratings and when classes of instruction are formed chief petty officers and petty officers are to be classed up by themselves.
    4. They are not to be mustered in and out of the ship unless for some special reason, nor are they to undergo personal search by the regulating staff unless the Executive Officer or the Captain, for a special reason in any particular case, shall order otherwise.

    5. 1854. DISCIPLINE (PART I)

    6. When dressed in the established uniform they are allowed to pass dockyard and victualling yard gates, and may also pass out parties of men.
    7. They are exempt from kit muster.
    8. Separate lines are to be appropriated for hanging their clothes and hammocks and their hammocks are to be stowed together in a part of the netting reserved for them.

    See also 1331 (2), 1442, 1936 and 1941.

    1854. Duties and privileges of Leading Ratings. It is the duty of every leading rating (or equivalent rating) of all branches of the Service to ensure that order and regularity are preserved in his vicinity among those men, of whatever branch and whether on duty or not, who hold a rank or rating junior to him. See 1827 Maintenance of good order.

    2. All leading ratings are to be granted every reasonable indulgence. They are to be made to feel that confidence is reposed in them, and are to be treated with the consideration which is due to the position of trust which they hold. To this end the following rules are to be observed with regard to them:

    1. On all occasions of men falling in they are to do so separately from lower ratings, except on ceremonial parades when they may be included in the ranks.
    2. They are exempt from personal search unless the Officer of the Watch, Executive Officer or Captain, for a special reason in any particular case, shall order otherwise.
    3. When dressed in the established uniform they are allowed to pass dockyard and victualling yard gates, and may also pass out parties of men.
    4. They are exempt from kit muster.

    See also 1936 and 1941.

    SECTION V. CLASSIFICATION FOR CONDUCT

    1856. Classification for conduct. Men are to be classed for conduct as follows:

    1. Not classed

    2. Leading ratings and above. Non-commissioned officers Men in possession of good conduct badges. Apprentices and Boys. Boy Musicians and Boy Buglers.

    3. First Class

    4. Men without good conduct badges below leading rating. Unless reduced to the second class.

      Men without good conduct badges below non-commissioned rank

    5. Second Class

    6. Men reduced to the second class as a punishment under Article 1950.

    2. The class for conduct is to be noted on Form 5.239 Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet. When a man is reduced to the second class as a punishment, the date of reduction and the date of restoration to the first class are to be noted on his service certificate.


    VI. ASSESSMENT OF CHARACTER AND "VERY GOOD" CONDUCT 1858

    SECTION VI. ASSESSMENT OF CHARACTER AND " VERY GOOD " CONDUCT

    1858. Assessment of character. Men are to be assessed for character by the Captain under one of the following terms on the occasions prescribed in Article 1865.

    Very good, to be written V.G.
    Very Good (Star), to be written

    V.G.*

    Good, to be written Good
    Fair, to be written Fair
    Indifferent, to be written Indifferent
    Bad, to be written Bad.

    2. In assessing the character of a man, the Captain is to take into consultation the Executive Officer and the officer of the man's division or, for a Royal Marine, the Royal Marine Officer, as well as any other officer who may have special knowledge of the man. He is fully to consider 2?1 the entries against the man on his record of offences sheet since the date of the last character assessment on his service certificate, and his general character and efficiency, so that this duty, so important both to the man and to the Service, may be performed justly and with proper deliberation.

    3. Where a man has been transferred from another ship, or has been embarked, since the preceding 31st December, the Captain is to take into consideration the assessments made on the man's Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet since that date.

    4. The actual character assessment to be given to any man is at the discretion of the Captain subject to the maximum assessments prescribed in Articles 1859-1864 and to any inferior assessment already approved under Article 2043 (3) following conviction by the civil power. Any assessment which is below the maximum allowable, e.g. " Good " when " V.G." or " V.G.* " is permissible or " Fair " when " Good " is permissible, is to be underlined by the Captain in order that there may be no question but that the assessment has been made advisedly. When considering such discretionary assessments the Captain should bear in mind that:

    1. Any discretionary assessment involves a break in the continuity of the man's " Very Good " conduct and probably therefore has an adverse effect on the award or restoration of badges, and on advancement;
    2. A " Good " assessment unless awarded within the first seven years of pensionable service will render a man ineligible for the Long Service-and Good Conduct Medal and Gratuity;
    3. A " Fair " or lower assessment will render a man ineligible for the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and gratuity under the ordinary rules;
    4. An " Indifferent " character would involve the forfeiture of the period covered by the assessment for pension purposes in the case of men who entered or re-entered under continuous service engagement before 19th December 1945, if the man elects to take his pension under the old pension codes.

    5. When assessing the character of a man who is in the second class for conduct on 31st December and may be restored to the first class at the end of the first or second months, the Captain may award the highest character permissible, e.g. " V.G.* " if appropriate or " Good," but if restoration is deferred beyond the first or second months, the assessment must be altered to " Good " or " Fair " as the case may be. Such alterations are to be reported to the Director of Navy Accounts and recorded in the ledger.

    6. If a sentence be annulled, the sentence originally awarded will not affect the maximum character assessment for which the rating is otherwise eligible.

    7. If a sentence be reduced, the rating will be eligible for the maximum character assessment applicable to the reduced sentence.

    8. If a sentence be suspended, the assessment of character is governed by the provisions of Article 2011.

    9. With the exceptions in Clauses 6-8, the maximum character assessment is governed by the sentence as awarded and will not be affected by remission earned by the offender or granted by the Admiralty, or by the discharge of the offender from prison or detention under Section 78 of the Naval Discipline Act.


    1859 DISCIPLINE (PART I)

    10. A conviction by the civil power is not to be taken into consideration in the assessment of character, unless an inferior character was approved under Article 2043 or was entailed by any other naval penalty imposed under that article.

    1859. " V.G." is the highest character assessment attainable even by the man whose behaviour has been exemplary throughout the year; it should not, therefore, be awarded automatically to a man whose general behaviour has not been satisfactory, merely because he has avoided major punishments.

    1860. " V.G.* " The privilege of a " V.G.* " character is granted in order that a man may not by one slip forfeit the rewards due to an otherwise unblemished record. The Captain may assess a man's character as " V.G.*" once during the man's career after attaining the age of 18, notwithstanding that an assessment of " V.G." has been precluded by one of the following punishments in the first four years of man's time:

    1. Cells for a period not exceeding five days;
    2. Detention or field punishment awarded under the Army or Air Force Acts, not exceeding five days;
    3. Detention not exceeding 21 days awarded under the Air Force Act for an offence of negligence whilst taxying or flying;
    4. Reduction to the second class for conduct if restored at the end of one month;
    5. or by one of the following punishments at any time:

    6. Deprivation of one good conduct badge (or good service badge in the case of R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. ratings when mobilised);
    7. Deprivation of seniority for misconduct.

    2. This privilege is not to be allowed unless the Captain is entirely satisfied with the behaviour, conduct and work of the man for the year, apart from the offence which resulted in one of the punishments mentioned in Clause 1.

    3. When an offender's sentence is suspended before committal under the provisions of Articles 2002 or 2003, he has, having been convicted, made the one slip which the privilege of " V.G.* " is intended to cover, and consequently the character assessment of a man for the year in which he has received a suspended sentence cannot be" V.G.". The assessment maybe "V.G.*" subject to:

    1. the provisions of Articles 2010 and 2011,
    2. the provisions in Clause 2 and Clause 4,
    3. the effect of any other punishment awarded during the year,
    4. the award of " V.G.* " not being precluded by a previous award of " V.G.* ".

    A man with a previous assessment of " V.G.* " or below, whose character is being assessed for a year in which he has received a suspended sentence is not to receive a character higher than " Good."

    4. Men who have previously received a character below " V.G." in man's time are not eligible for the concession, nor are men who have had an inferior assessment specially altered by the Admiralty to " V.G.", unless the alteration followed automatically upon the cancellation of a punishment, and then only with Admiralty approval.

    5. "V.G.*" will be regarded as equivalent to "V.G." for all purposes which entail consideration of character (for " Very Good " conduct see 1868), the asterisk being placed against the award to ensure that no man receives such special consideration more than once during his service.

    6. " V.G.* " cannot be awarded as a discretionary assessment to a man whose general behaviour during the year is considered by the Captain not to warrant an assessment of " V.G."

    1861. "Good." Subject to the provisions of Article 1860, for the award of " V.G.*", a higher character than " Good " is not to be given to any man if during the period for which his character is being assessed he has been awarded any of the following punishments:

    1. Disrated or reduced for misconduct.
    2. Deprived of seniority for misconduct (Non-commissioned officers, Royal Marines, when serving under the Army Act).
    3. Deprived of one or more good conduct badges (or good service badges in the case of R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. ratings) or of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

    4. VI. ASSESSMENT OF CHARACTER AND "VERY GOOD" CONDUCT 1865

    5. Sentenced to cells, field punishment, detention or imprisonment.
    6. Reduced to the second class for conduct.

    2. If a man has been awarded two or more of the above punishments during the year it is open to the Captain to award an assessment lower than " Good " if he thinks fit. Such a lower assessment should be underlined.

    3. A higher character than " Good " is not ordinarily to be awarded to any man who is discharged from Her Majesty's service " Services no longer required " under Articles 0869 or 2043 (3).

    1862. " Fair." A higher character than " Fair " is not to be given to any man if during the period for which his character is being assessed he has been sentenced to be punished in any of the following ways:

    1. Reduced to the second class for conduct on one or more occasions for a period exceeding two months in the aggregate.
    2. Sentenced to cells, field punishment, detention or imprisonment, or any two or more of these punishments, for 22 days in the aggregate.

    1863. "Indifferent." A higher character than " Indifferent " is not to be given to any man if during the period for which his character is being assessed he has been sentenced to be punished in any of the following ways:

    1. Reduced to the second class for conduct on two or more occasions for a period exceeding six months in the aggregate.
    2. Sentenced to cells, field punishment, detention or imprisonment, or any two or, more of these punishments, for 61 days in the aggregate.

    1864. "Bad." "Bad" character may be given only on discharge from the Service to men who have been:

    1. Dismissed with disgrace or ignominy.
    2. Dismissed or discharged after conviction for particularly vicious offences.
    3. Dismissed or discharged for misconduct after long records of previous misconduct with several earlier assessments of " Fair " or " Indifferent." bee 1056 (12) on cutting off corner of service certificate.

    1865. Record of character assessment. The character of every naval rating and Royal Marine borne on the books of a ship is to be recorded upon his service certificate by the Captain, who is to insert the entry in his own handwriting and write his signature on the same line as the character awarded, as follows :

    1. On 31st December in each year, except where men are waiting trial for desertion, and ratings and Royal Marines under 18, see 1866.
    2. On being marked " RUN." (Not to be recorded until final discharge from ship's books unless the mar. is in desertion on 31st December of the year in which he is marked " RUN," see 1056 (2) ).
    3. On discharge from the Service, except where a man sentenced to imprisonment is to be discharged direct from the prison to civil life. In such circumstances, his character is to be assessed on the date he is discharged from ship's books in accordance with Article 2024.
    4. On application for pension (see 4659), notwithstanding that the man is not being discharged from the Service.

    2. If a man dealt with under Clause 1 (b) or (c) rejoins the Service within the year, the assessed character awarded on 31st December is to cover the whole year, the intermediate character awarded on desertion or discharge being ruled out. This does not apply to recovered deserters awaiting trial at the end of the year, or to ratings and Royal Marines under the age of 18; their characters are not to be assessed on 31st December.

    3. A man's character since the previous 31st December is also to be recorded on his Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet on discharge or on transfer to another ship.

    4. Any person who may be on passage, in prison, under detention, imprisoned by the civil power, or in hospital, on 31st December in any year, is to have his character to that date assessed from his conduct sheet on his arrival on board the ship to which he is sent or to which he may return, the assessment being made by the Captain of such ship.


    1866 DISCIPLINE (PART 1)

    5. A man invalided out of the Service at a Home Port is to have his character assessed to date from the entries on his conduct sheet by the Captain of the ship upon whose books the man is borne, except that a Royal Marine's character is to be assessed and his discharge noted on his service certificate by the Director of Pay and Records, Royal Marines.

    1866. Character assessments of persons under 18. The characters of all naval ratings and Royal Marines under 18 years of age are to be assessed on their service certificates on the day before attaining the age of 18.

    2. The characters of boys are also to be assessed upon final discharge from training to the general service.

    3. Assessments of the characters of ratings and Royal Marines under 18 should normally cover the whole of the period of service since first entry, or since discharge from training to the general service, as the case may be.

    4. When ratings and Royal Marines have attained the age of 18, their characters are only to be assessed as directed in Article 1865, except in the following circumstances:

    1. If a rating or Royal Marine attains the age of 18 whilst awaiting trial for a major offence, the assessment of character normally made on the day before reaching that age is to be deferred until the punishment is awarded, when the assessment is to be antedated and the punishment taken into account.
    2. If a rating or Royal Marine attains the age of 18 whilst in desertion and is subsequently recovered, the facts are to be reported to Admiralty for decision on character assessment.

    1867. Re-assessment of character. Assessments higher than those permitted by Articles 1859 to 1864 will be corrected, with Admiralty approval, but those properly made by the Captain in accordance with Article 1858 (4) are final and are not subject to review unless one of the following conditions is fulfilled, when application may be. made to the Admiralty for re-assessment:

    1. The assessment has come to have an effect which could not have been foreseen at the time it was awarded and which, taking into consideration also the length and quality of subsequent service, is now unduly severe. An application for review on these grounds may be forwarded only within the last year before completion of time for pension or on discharge if earlier. No application can be entertained when the character record during pensionable service includes an assessment below " Good " or more than one assessment other than " V.G." (e.g. one " V.G.* " and one " Good ") except in very exceptional circumstances (e.g. because of recognition given for an act of personal gallantry).
    2. There is good reason to believe that a character assessment which is lower than the highest assessment which could have been given, under Articles 1859 to 1864, was not given advisedly. An application for review on these grounds should be made as soon as possible after the assessment has been given. If the application is not made immediately after the assessment has been given it should include the reasons for the delay, having particular regard to the provisions of Article 1051 (7).
    3. The assessment was unfair or the punishment which affected the assessment was unjust or unduly severe in itself or in its immediate effects. An application for review on these grounds should follow the procedure prescribed for complaints in Article 1851. Any such complaints must be made as soon as possible, while the facts are still ascertainable.

    2. The only applications for the review of character assessments which can be considered after a man has been released are those relating to the final assessment on discharge and such applications will be considered only if appeal is made on discharge or within three months after the date of discharge. Any man who expresses dissatisfaction with the assessment given on his discharge should be warned that any appeal to the Admiralty must be made within three months.

    3. Application under Clause 1 (b) and (c) from pensioners, reservists, or men re-entered, for review of character assessments during previous periods of service cannot be entertained.

    1868. "Very Good" conduct. The standard required for the maintenance of " Very Good " conduct is not the same as that for an award of " V.G." character, but is a higher and more exacting one. To maintain this standard a man must have conducted himself with sobriety, diligence and attention.


    VI. ASSESSMENT OF CHARACTER AND "VERY GOOD" CONDUCT 1868

    2. A break in continuity of " Very Good " conduct is obligatory:-

    1. when a man is punished by warrant or receives a sentence by court-martial which is at least the equivalent of a warrant punishment.
    2. when a man is reduced to the second class for leave.
    3. when a discretionary character lower than " V.G." is awarded because of minor offences none of which of itself necessitated a break in continuity of " Very Good " conduct.
    4. when a badge is intentionally not awarded when due or after the period of deferment provided for in Article 1874 (3) and (4) or is intentionally not restored when due.
    5. when an offence has been found by the civil power to have been proved and a man incurs any of the naval penalties laid down in Article 2043 (3) other than forfeiture of pay and time and stoppage of leave.

    3. In addition, a break in " Very Good " conduct may be imposed as a separate naval penalty (see 2043). Further, it is within the discretion of the Captain to regard any reprehensible act (e.g. a repeated contraction of venereal disease), any particular naval offence or a series of minor offences, as breaking the continuity of " Very Good " conduct, even though a character assessment below " V.G." is not involved. A break is not to be awarded as a punishment, or as a substitute, but it may accompany any punishment if the Captain considers that the circumstances justify such a course. When obligatory under (a) to (e) the break need not be specially recorded on the man's Record of Offences Sheet because it will be obvious why it has been incurred, but in all other circumstances the break is to be recorded in the " Remarks " column of the man's Record of Offences Sheet, not in the " Punishment Awarded " column.

    4. It is essential that the date of re-commencement of " Very Good " conduct after a break in its continuity should be recorded in the appropriate column of the man's Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet (Form S.239).

    5. Unless the break has resulted from a court-martial or warrant punishment, or an equivalent naval penalty, when the cause of the break will be apparent from the man's service certificate, the date of commencement of " Very Good " conduct is to be inserted in red ink. If a man is transferred to another ship while in prison or detention, or in the second class for conduct, the date of commencement of " Very Good " conduct will not be known and " not V.G. in the appropriate column of his Form 5.239.

    When a break has been incurred:

    (a) under Clause 2 (a) or (b), " Very Good " conduct commences on the day after the date of the sentence or warrant or the day after release from cells, detention or prison, on the day after the expiration of the period in the second class for conduct or on the day after the date of reduction to the second class for leave, whichever is appropriate to the sentence awarded.

    When a sentence of detention or imprisonment is suspended " Very Good " conduct commences the following day but would again be broken if the sentences were subsequently enforced on account of further misconduct. When a sentence of detention or imprisonment is postponed under Article 2022 (2), the date of commencement of " Very Good " conduct should be antedated by the number of days postponement.

    1. under Clause 2 (c), the date of commencement of " Very Good " conduct is the day following the date of the discretionary character assessment (usually 1st January).
    2. under Clause 2 (d), the date of commencement of " Very Good " conduct is the day after the man completed the necessary period of service with " Very Good " conduct to qualify for consideration for the award or restoration of the badge in the first place.
    3. under Clause 2 (e), or otherwise as a naval penalty, " Very Good " conduct commences on the day after the date on which the offence was found proved against the man unless a sentence of imprisonment (or detention in a Borstal Institution) is awarded, in which case the date of commencement of " Very Good " conduct is the day after release. When a man forfeits time and pay for the period in civil custody but a break in continuity of " Very Good " conduct is not involved as a naval penalty, his existing date of commencement of " Very Good " conduct should be postdated by the number of days forfeited and the new date should be inserted in red ink.
    4. under Clause 3 (at the discretion of the Captain), " Very Good " conduct commences again the following day.

    1871. DISCIPLINE (PART I)

    6. " Very Good " conduct is not governed by a man's character as assessed on his service certificate (except as in Clause 2 (c)) and subject to the foregoing rules the latter part of a year for which a character lower than " V.G." has been awarded may be regarded as a period of " Very Good " conduct.

    SECTION VII. GOOD CONDUCT AND GOOD SERVICE BADGES

    1871. Good conduct badges (and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal-see Section VIII) represent the highest standard of conduct in the Service. It is, therefore, important that badges should not be awarded or restored as a matter of course merely because a man has avoided serious punishments. Provided the Captain is satisfied that a man is fully qualified in accordance with Articles 1872-1874 and is deserving of the award, badges not exceeding three in number should be conferred when due under the provisions of this section.

    1872. Service qualification. Before a man can be considered for the award of good conduct badges he must have completed the following periods of qualifying service:

    For one badge 4 years
    For two badges 8 years
    For three badges 12 years.

    2. The whole of a man's service in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines may be counted as qualifying service with the following exceptions:

    1. Time served in the rating of Boy or Apprentice of any class, or before attaining the age of 18 years.
    2. Time in the second class for conduct.
    3. (c) Time before desertion unless the R. or R.Q. is removed, see 2053 (5) and 2054 (3).
    4. Time before absence from the Service for five years or more except as provided by Article 0847 for men re-entered after invaliding, by Article 0848 for men re-entered after service in the Royal Fleet Reserve, and by Chapter XI of B.R. 1950 Naval Pay Regulations for remission of forfeiture of previous service in a particular case.
    5. Time for which pay is not allowed; for example, time lost through imprisonment, detention, field punishment, cells or civil custody, waiting trial for desertion, stoppage of pay for absence over leave under the Army Act or Royal Air Force regulations-or time during which a man has been out of the Service for any cause.
    6. Time under training as a reservist.

    3. Officers' Stewards, Officers' Cooks and Cooks (O) serving under continuous service engagements who at any time between previous periods of non-continuous service in the Royal Navy were employed as civilians by officers in receipt of an allowance in lieu of servants may reckon such time towards good conduct badges as if it had been service in the Royal Navy.

    1873. Conduct qualification. In addition to the period of qualifying service laid down in Article 1872, a man must also qualify by conduct before being considered for the award of a badge. The minimum requirement is continuous " Very Good " conduct (see 1868) during the two years of reckonable service immediately preceding the award of a badge. For the award of a second or third badge the man must also have been properly in continuous possession of the preceding badge (or badges) for the two years of actual service immediately prior to the award, except when badges are awarded consequent on removal of " R " (see 2054); or when, after removal of " R ", the man becomes eligible by service and conduct for the award of a second or third badge within two years of the date of removal; or when a man is allowed to count former service that was not currently reckonable for badge purposes. If a preceding badge has been awarded or restored prematurely from an incorrect date the period of two years during which it must have been held before a further badge can be awarded commences from the correct date of award of the preceding badge, i.e. the previous error should not be perpetuated in the award of restoration of further badges.


    VII. GOOD CONDUCT AND GOOD SERVICE BADGES 1879

    1874. Captain's decision regarding award or deferment. When a man has qualified for consideration in accordance with Articles 1872 and 1873, the Captain is to consider the award of a badge whether the man applies or not. If the Captain decides that the man has maintained the requisite standard of conduct and is in all respects deserving of a badge he should award the badge and record his decision on the man's service certificate.

    2. If after considering the award of a badge the Captain decides that the man has clearly failed to reach the necessary standard, the Captain's decision not to award the badge should be recorded on the man's Form 5.239 Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet forthwith, together with a new date of commencement of " Very Good " conduct, i.e. the day after the man qualified for consideration. This should be entered in red ink.

    3. In appropriate cases, however, instead of deciding forthwith not to award the badge the Captain may direct the man to appear before him again after a period of not less than three or more than six months. This decision should be noted on the man's Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet and during this period the man is not to be advanced in rating.

    4. Should the Captain decide at the end of the period of deferment that the man's conduct during the two years preceding that date may now be considered to have reached the qualifying standard, the badge is to be awarded from the date of such final decision and the entry on the man's service certificate underlined to indicate that the deferment was intentional.

    5. If, however, at the end of the period of deferment, the Captain decides that the man's conduct is still below the required standard, the continuity of his " Very Good " conduct is to be regarded as broken. The fresh date of commencement of " Very Good " conduct, i.e. the date of commencement of the period of probation, is to be entered in red ink in the appropriate column of the man's Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet.

    Note:A man who has received one or more minor punishments not involving a break in the continuity of his " Very Good " conduct may nevertheless be deemed worthy of a badge if his general conduct and bearing are of the requisite standard. Conversely although a man may not have been punished, the Captain might, in certain circumstances, consider him below the requisite standard.

    1875. Provisional awards. The award and restoration of badges cannot properly be considered without examination of the man's original service certificate, Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet, Record of Offences Sheet and Divisional Record Sheet. If, however, these documents are not available when a man appears to be eligible for a badge, the Captain may make a provisional award provided there is reasonable evidence of prima facie eligibility under Articles 1&72 and 1873 and the man has been in the ship for a sufficient period to permit the Captain to decide that he is fully deserving of the award of a badge. Such provisional awards or restorations will be liable to adjustment, if necessary, when the man's documents become available and the man should be informed accordingly when the award is made. Provisional awards should be recorded on Form 5.1243 in red ink.

    1876. Finality of awards by the Captain. Apart from provisional awards under Article 1875, an award or restoration of a badge properly authorised by the Captain in accordance with this section will normally be regarded as final and should not be altered without Admiralty approval. Overpayments consequent on erroneous awards will not normally be recovered.

    1877. Method of award. The award or restoration of a badge is to be considered when it appears to be due whether the man applies for it or not, Form 5.1130 being used as directed thereon.

    2. The Captain's decision is to be recorded on the service certificate, if the badge is granted, and in any case on Form S.239 Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet and Form 5.1130. Form 5.1130, signed by the Captain, is to accompany the ledger into office. For deprivation and restoration of badges see 1960-1962.

    1878. Re-entrants may resume any badges previously held provided they have not been absent from the Service for five years or more.

    1879. Former service. Provided it is truthfully acknowledged in full on entry into the R.N. or R.M., the whole of a man's former service on full pay, including mobilised service as a reservist (but not time under training as a reservist), in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air


    1880 DISCIPLINE (PART I)

    Force, or in the armed forces (naval, military or air force) of the British Commonwealth, reckons towards the acquisition of naval good conduct badges with the exceptions detailed in Article 1872.

    2. The two years " Very Good " conduct which must precede the award of a badge (1873) may, for this purpose, be service in any of the forces referred to in Clause 1. Consequently, a man with sufficient prior reckonable service may be granted a badge or badges on entry if his conduct during such former service was continuously " Very Good," during

    1. the last two years, if claiming one badge;
    2. the last four years, if claiming two badges, and
    3. the last six years, if claiming three badges.

    Similarly, a man who, on entry, has insufficient prior reckonable service or an insufficient period of " Very Good " conduct, may be awarded a badge or badges as soon as he completes sufficient combined qualifying service and " Very Good " conduct.

    3. Time served on full pay as a commissioned officer, Branch officer or warrant officer, including mobilised service as a reserve officer, in any of the forces mentioned in Clause 1 which is allowed under Admiralty authority to reckon for naval pension (see 4645) may also be allowed to count, subject to the production of certificates or other documentary evidence of good conduct as required by Clause 2.

    4. When verifying claims to former service, the Director of Navy Accounts (for naval ratings) or the Director of Pay and Records (for Royal Marines) will, wherever possible, ascertain from the responsible Records Office whether " Very Good " conduct has been broken at any time during the appropriate period of the former service and whether, in the case of a man with the requisite amount of former service for the immediate award of a badge or badges, an award can be recommended.

    1880. Pensioners when called out are to resume their position as regards badges without reference to the time which may have elapsed since they last served.

    2. The same applies to pensioners allowed to serve in peace time, except that re-entry must be within five years of their previous service.

    3. Should any such pensioner not have been in possession of three good conduct badges when pensioned, his previous service, as well as service as a pensioner, will be allowed to reckon towards further badges, in accordance with the foregoing articles.

    1881. Men to be treated as new entries. Men in the following categories are to be considered in respect of the award of badges as fresh entries from the date of their return to the Service:

    1. Men who rejoin after an absence of five years.
    2. Recovered deserters, unless the " R " or " RQ " is removed.
    3. Men allowed to re-enter after dismissal as Branch (formerly warrant) officers.

    1882. Good conduct pay. The possession of good conduct badges in accordance with the provisions of this section will entitle men to the appropriate good conduct pay. See B.R. 1950 Naval Pay Regulations.

    1883. Good service badges are awarded in peace time to R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. ratings as an encouragement to keenness and efficiency. The badges are unpaid and are awarded gratuitously after periods of service of four, eight and 12 years, under the conditions laid down. in B.R. 62 R.N.R. Regulations, B.R. 65 R.N.V.R. Regulations and B.R. 106 R.N.V.(W.)R. Regulations.

    2. R.N.R. ratings are to be awarded their good service badges by the Captains of ships in which they serve while undergoing training. R.N.V.R. ratings are awarded their good service badges by the Captains of R.N.V.R. Divisions.

    3. The award of good service badges ceases on mobilisation, after which R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. ratings qualify for good conduct badges under the rules for R.N. ratings.

    4. Good service badges are worn in the same manner as good conduct badges and in conjunction with there, but the combined number worn must not exceed three


    VIII. LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND GRATUITY 1888

    SECTION VIII. LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND GRATUITY

    1885. Qualification for award. The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal represents, with good conduct badges, the highest standard of conduct in the Service, and it is important that recommendations for the award of the medal should not be made as a matter of course on completion of the necessary period of qualifying service.

    1886. Gratuities. Except where otherwise stated, the award of a good conduct medal will carry with it, irrespective of rating, a gratuity of X20, payment of which will be authorised by the Director of Navy Accounts.

    1887. Conditions for award. To be entitled to the award of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and Gratuity, a man must:

    1. have completed 15 years pensionable service with continuous " Very Good " character, and with previous character not inferior to " Good " in service which is reckonable for pension purposes (4645). Where character during such service has been assessed as " Good " on 31st December in any year, time reckoning for the medal will not commence until the 1st January following.
    2. have actually re-engaged to complete time for pension (but see Clause 2 regarding ratings on non-continuous service engagements).
    3. be in possession of the full number of good conduct badges which he could have earned during his period of service.
    4. have been recommended for the award by the Captain on his service certificate for the three consecutive years immediately preceding the award.
    5. be provisionally recommended, by the Captain of the ship or establishment in which he is serving at the time of the application as in every respect deserving of the award.

    2. NON-CONTINUOUS SERVICE.-Maltese ratings serving on non-continuous service engagements are eligible for the award of the medal and gratuity under the foregoing conditions, except that Clause 1 (b) is not applicable: Non-European locally entered ratings may be awarded the medal without gratuity if their records of service and character conform to the requirements for an award under the ordinary rules.

    3. Desertion will render a man ineligible for the award of the medal under the ordinary regulations. See 1893 Special Recommendations.

    1888. Long Service and Good Conduct gratuities-additional allowance. Men awarded the gratuity referred to in Article 1886 will also be eligible to earn an additional allowance, which will be payable in a lump sum with the first payment of pension on discharge, at the rate of �1 for each year of qualifying service with " Very Good " character rendered subsequent to the award or restoration of the medal.

    2. A rating who is promoted to officer after the award of medal and gratuity will be allowed, on confirmation in rank, to receive payment of any additional allowance that may have been earned up to the date of his promotion.

    3. Service during which a " Good " character is awarded will not count as qualifying service for the additional allowance, notwithstanding that the man may not have been deprived of the medal.

    4. When a man is deprived of or forfeits his medal he will forfeit the additional allowance already accrued. If the medal is restored before he is pensioned, the amount earned after the date of restoration only will be awarded.

    5. When a man is invalided after having been awarded the medal and gratuity, and before completion of the full time for pension, he will be granted any additional allowance that may have been earned up to the date of his discharge.

    6. Any man who voluntarily quits the Service after the award of the medal and gratuity, and before becoming entitled to a pension, will forfeit all claim to any additional allowance that may have been earned.


    1889 DISCIPLINE (PART I)

    7. Where a man who has been discharged to pension is permitted to re-engage for a further period of service subject to relinquishment of pension, such further service will be allowed to count for purposes of the additional allowance under the usual regulations, provided that the man is qualified in all respects for this allowance.

    1889. Long Service and Good Conduct gratuities and additional allowances of dead men. If a man should die after the award of his medal any gratuity or additional allowance to which he may be entitled will be paid to his widow, or next-of-kin if dependent upon him.

    1890. Breaks in service. A break in service not due to desertion, dismissal, sentence of imprisonment, or other misconduct on the mar's part, will not be considered as breaking the continuity of his " Very Good " character, or of recommendations for the medal and gratuity, provided that he rejoins within five years or, if invalided, as soon as the state of his health permits.

    1891. Annual recommendations. After a man has been awarded a " Very Good " character for the 12th year in succession in service counting towards the medal, the Captain is to consider whether the man is also deserving of a recommendation for the medal.

    2. If the man is considered deserving of the medal, the Captain when recording the award of the 13th successive " Very Good " character on the service certificate, is also to record the recommendation by the notation " R.M.G."

    3. If a man is not considered deserving of the medal, the fact is to be recorded by drawing a line across the recommendation column on the service certificate. The reason for so doing is also to be fully recorded by the Captain on the man's Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet.

    4. Provided that a man's character remains " Very Good " and he is still recommended, a record as in Clause 2 is similarly to be made at each subsequent annual assessment until the medal is awarded.

    5. The recommendation, or otherwise, of a man is also to be noted on his Recommendation for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet whenever he is transferred to another ship or unit after he has become eligible for recommendation.

    1892. Recommendations to Admiralty. The names of men provisionally recommended for medals and gratuities, are to be sent to the Director of Navy Accounts on Form 5.218, accompanied by their service certificates or certified copies thereof, in sufficient time to allow for verification of entitlement and preparation of the medal (normally one calendar month), and for approval to be received and presentation to be made on the date when the award is due.

    2. Recommendations for Royal Marine ranks disembarked are to be forwarded through the Director of Pay and Records, Royal Marines.

    1893. Special recommendations. If a man has the essential service qualification of 15 years with continuous " Very Good " character in accordance with the foregoing articles but is ineligible for the award of the medal under the ordinary regulations, the Admiralty will consider any recommendation for a special award of the medal on the grounds that the man has displayed heroism or gallantry in action or has rendered some special service in time of emergency, during service qualifying for the medal and subsequent to the lapse which disqualifies him under the ordinary rules. The recommendation should be made by letter submitted through the Commander-in-Chief or Administrative Authority, or for a Royal Marine serving on shore through the Director of Pay and Records, stating fully the circumstances in which the application is made.

    2. A recommendation for a man who has a record of 18 years qualifying service with continuous " Very Good " character will also be considered although he may be disqualified under the ordinary regulations.

    3. For men recommended under this article the " R.M.G." notations on service certificates are not essential.

    1894. Presentation of medal and gratuity. When the approval of the Admiralty has been received, the medal is, if possible, to be presented by the Captain before the ship's company or for Royal Marines disembarked by the Commanding Officer on parade. The gratuity is to be paid on the authority which will be issued by the Director of Navy Accounts. In no circumstances is the medal to be presented or the gratuity to be paid before the date on which the award is due.


    VIII. LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND GRATUITY 1897

    2. The award of the medal and gratuity is to be noted on the service certificate. In order that the possession of the medal may not be overlooked when consideration is being given to deprivation of a good conduct badge, the award of the medal is to be noted at the foot of the badge column in addition to the medal section of the service certificate.

    1895. Misconduct pending presentation. If a man's conduct should not have been satisfactory in the interval between the date on which he is provisionally recommended for the medal and the date on which the award would normally be due, the Admiralty is to be informed by signal. The medal will not be awarded and, if received in the ship, is to be returned with the authority for payment of the gratuity to the Admiralty, and the circumstances explained.

    2. If the presentation of the medal is for any reason delayed beyond the date on which the award is due, and misconduct (other than a trivial offence not breaking the continuity of the man's " Very Good " conduct or " V.G." character) occurs in the interval, the medal is to be withheld and particulars reported to the Admiralty for decision. The report is to state whether deprivation of the medal would have been proposed had it been in the man's possession at the time of punishment, unless the punishment awarded automatically involves loss of medal. The authority for payment of the gratuity which accompanies the medal is not to be acted upon, unless the decision arrived at by the Admiralty is to the effect that the medal is to be regarded as awarded and deprived, in which case payment of the gratuity may then be made. For deprivation or forfeiture and restoration of medal, see 1958-1959.

    1896. Clasp to medal. A man holding the medal who completes a further 15 years service on any kind of engagement, T.124 and variants excepted, with the character qualification required for the original award may be awarded a clasp to the medal. The award of the clasp will not entitle the recipient to any further gratuity or pension.

    2. Recommendations for the award are to be made on Form 5.218 endorsed " Clasp Only " and forwarded as directed in Article 1892.

    1897. Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. Details of the rules governing the award of the following medals are contained in the regulations of the particular reserves to which the medals are applicable:-

    • Royal Fleet Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
    • Royal Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
    • Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
    • Royal Naval Volunteer (Wireless) Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

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