Wars and ConflictsΒ permalink
A.W.O.L WW1
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Message 1.Β
Posted by GrumpyBOUDICA (U10528800) on Monday, 10th March 2008
Hello Board
If a Soldier went A.W.O.L WW1 {not on active duty}
Where would they be sent? and would there be any record anywhere?
GB -
Message 2
Posted by Volgadon (U10843893) on Monday, 10th March 2008
Could be mistaken, but they might be shot.
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Message 3
Posted by LongWeekend (U3023428) on Monday, 10th March 2008
GB
Usually, an offender would be dealt with by Regimental Punishment, and that would appear on the offender's "crime sheet". I don't think these were preserved. A persistent offender might be sent to a Military Correction Centre; those records may be in the National Archive, and in any case, such a punishment would appear on his record of service.
The WWI record experts here may be able to help further? -
Message 4
Posted by GrumpyBOUDICA (U10528800) on Monday, 10th March 2008
Thank you both for your information GB
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Message 5
Posted by Backtothedarkplace (U2955180) on Monday, 10th March 2008
You cant be shot for awol. Only for desertion. Awol can be as simple as being late back from leave or just not in the right place at the right time. Desertion is an attempt to get away and not come back.
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Message 6
Posted by ex4thhussar (U520216) on Tuesday, 11th March 2008
Hi Grumpy Boudica
I'm afraid that my own experience of being AWOL relates strictly to WW2 but I believe that the system in force would have been very similar to that existing in WW1.
In 1943 I was serving in Guelma, in North Africa, and a party of us decided to pay the local estaminet a visit after lights out.
We were not to know that there would be a roll call at 2130 hours and so we were all recorded as being AWOL from that time until the next roll call at 0505 the following morning. This, despite the fact that we had actually been back in camp by 2300 hrs.
I see that LostWeekend says "Usually, an offender would be dealt with by Regimental Punishment, and that would appear on the offender's "crime sheet". I don't think these were preserved"
I have to report that when, some 60 years later, I applied for my own Army Records, I was delighted to see that the record of my "crime" had been preserved for posterity !
Use the link below to see the full story which includes a photo of the relevant page from my records:
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Message 7
Posted by Mani (U1821129) on Tuesday, 11th March 2008
Our instances of AWOL were dealt with 'In House' ie the Size 11 of the SM...
Old 'Mad Dog' did love the more personal touch... -
Message 8
Posted by Backtothedarkplace (U2955180) on Tuesday, 11th March 2008
I got done once after doing a Lynford Christie the entire length of the dock, in full view of the boat and being 1 minuite adrift. Get braced coming up the plank and warned off for captains table in the morning. While I am down in the mess moaning about how unfair it all is three CPO's roll up a full half hour over due. The officer of the watch has a dilema. Does he troop all four of us? This would mean that the boat probably wouldnt sail on time? He had us all fallen in announced that his watch was 40 minutes fast and had the book amended to say so.
A rare degree of common sense from an officer.
Mind you the next time, while I was back on time, I was so drunk I had to be carried onto the boat straped in a stretcher. -
Message 9
Posted by Amphion (U3338999) on Tuesday, 11th March 2008
GrumpyBOUDICA
My own research of the period relies, first of all, from the local newspaper reports of the period (1914-1918)
One of the problems with First World War research is that a large percentage of files relating to the period were destroyed during the Second World War. (Bloody Hun!)
Anyway, from local information, I have come across quite a number of local's who have been brought before the Magistrates Court for being AWOL.(Only one execution, but he had a catalogue of crimes to his name!). It usually being the case that they have overstayed their leave by a couple of days/weeks.
The usual punishment, as far as the local Magistrates are concerned is for the AWOL Soldier to be held in custody until an escort can arrive from the nearest Military Camp and take charge of said soldier. My research has as yet, only reached the beginning of 1916, so I am awaiting the outcome now, of the reaction of the Magistrates Courts to those soldiers who may be AWOL, and have either been attested under Lord Derby's scheme, or more importantly, those soldiers who have been called up as a result of the Military Service Act 1915, and are AWOL despite the compulsory order, and having been deemed by the local Recruiting Tribunal to be fit for Foreign Service. Despite the fact that they have an ailing mother at home and the family business cannot survive without them.
I had one young lad, who having seen 12 episodes of the 'Golden Coin.' A film serial showing at his local theatre, begged to be put back ten weeks, because there were still ten episodes to be shown. There is no mention as to whether his claim was allowed!
Anyway, I have plenty more research a head of me until I get a clear picture as regards recruiting?AWOL, etc... -
Message 10
Posted by GrumpyBOUDICA (U10528800) on Tuesday, 11th March 2008
Thanks to all who answered my query I think I have a lot more researching to do. GB
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