The War Office

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 93, 10 August 1914, Page 5

The War Office

[Pub Pbebb -Association. I Wellington, August 9. “ The Defence Department lias requested the Press Association to distribute the following cable from Loudon, dated August 7 ; Give widest publicity to the following army orders issued from the War Office, dated August 7tli, 1914 : Pardon for desert-ers.—-The King lias been graciously pleased to sanction pardon being granted to soldiers who were in a state of desertion from the regular forces on sth August, provided they surrender themselves in the United Kingdom on or before 4tb September, or at any station abroad where there are regular forces on or before 4th October. They will forfeit all service prior to date of surrender, but such service will subsequently be restored under conditions laid down in the King’s regulations on restoration of service forfeited under section 79 of the Army Act. Deserters who enlist between sth August and 4th October in any Colonial corps which may have been or which have been placed at. the disposal of the Imperial Government for war will be granted a free pardon at the expiration of their service in such corps and will not he claimed for further service in the Regular Forces of the United Kingdom. They will, however, forfeit all service rendered in the Regular Forces prior l to-the date of such enlistment. Tho provisions of this order will not bo applied to men who have fraudulently or improperly enlisted. This is by command of the Army Council,