‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎91r] (186/246)

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Telegram No. 56369, dated 28th May 1916. APPENDIX 381
Despatched 1-4)5 a.m.) 56869)
From—The Commander-in-Chief in India,
To—The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London.
Eeference telegram No. 9±7-44-A. (Dy. No. 65808), dated 24th May, from
G. 0. 0., Force “ D.”
I am mTestigatiiig all the matters complained of by Army Commander.
Generally speaking delays in preparing aeccunts of units and of officers have
up to now been due to serious dislocation of werk of accounts establishments,
caused by transfer of Lahore and Meerut Divisions to Mesopotamia, which
involved loss of practically 3 months’ working time, and to subsequent
transfer of large portion of accounts establishment to Poona. This w r as effected
at urgent request of G. O C., Force “ D,” who required all the accommodation
at Basrah then occupied by them. Since arrival of Field Controller’s office at
Poona, great difficulty has been experienced in obtaining sufficient establish
ment to cope with arrears of work and with heavy extra work thrown upon
them by addition of 13th Division to Force under Indian pay. In this con
nection I would invite attention to the fact that the Government of India
asked that the Army Pay Department should takeover the pay and accounts
connected with the 13th Division and the War Office w T ere unable to agree.
Secondly .—Every effort is being made in office of Field Controller, Poona,
to pull up arrears. He reports that accounts of all officers belonging to
13th Division and brigades sent from India have been completed to end of
May, and statements of accounts despatched to officers concerned, notwith
standing absence of last-pay certificates. In the meantime orders have been
issued to field accounts offices to issue pay to officers and men of units such
as A. S. C., etc., mentioned in telegram from Force “ D ” at rates analogous
with those of similar services in India, pending definite orders of Government
which are just about to issue. Arrangements have been in force all along for
issue of pay in the field to these formations at British rates. With regard to
complaint of non-payment of officers’ family allotments. Field Controller
reports that so far as he can ascertain arrangements have been made for
family allotments of officers Seaforths strictly in accordance with their
wishes, and that statements of accounts have been furnished to them for all
deductions made on this account. Names of two officers referred to by Army
Commander are being ascertained with a view to further investigation of com
plaint. Field Controller, Poona, has also been instructed by telegram to cable
request to India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. to pay in full all family allotments which may be in
arrears. It is hoped that all accounts work relating to Force “ D ” will soon be
current. The non-receipt of last-pay certificates and nominal rolls from the
Imperial authorities, which is causing much inconvenience, will not be allowed
to stand in the way of practical settlement of claims, wTiich will be based
on certificates from Officers Commanding as to the rates oflast pay drawm.
It will he readily understood that the collection of clerical establishments
from various distant sources to take part in the work of the Military account
centres of wTiich they have no previous experience naturally hampers work.
Thirdly .—Although work of preparing the accounts both of units and officers
is temporarily in arrears owing to causes explained above, every facility is
given to obtain advances of pay in the field and in India, in both cases
w ithout any rigid limits. This is well-known principle which is laid down
in Accounts Manual War and in Field Service Regulations, Indian Supple-
ment, and is freely resorted to. The D. F. A. G. at Basrah, who is responsible
for local arrangements in regard to disbursement of cash, has, it is believed,
taken pains to inform all concerned that money can be obtained whenever
required. An Accounts Officer has visited all units at front who had no
previous experience of Indian pay system and instructed them regarding the
facilities for obtaining money. Advances of pay can be drawn not only at
base, but also from several Field Treasure Chests, which are placed at con
venient centres and from purchasing agents of Supply and Transport. In
fact the rules, if anything, seem to err on the side laxity in distributing
money without formality. Fourthly. —Summarising, I believe that all causes
of legitimate complaint will be very shortly removed. A telegraphic report
regarding specific complaints, which has just been received from Field
Controller, Poona, shows that the difficulties have already been overcome tp
a large extent and that many of the points brought to notice by G. 0. C.,
Force r< D,” are due to misunderstanding.
Record copy to A. G.
Copy to M. S. 0., M. S. V., M. A. G.