The series consists of various Naval Forms that record both Naval and Civil
punishments awarded to Naval personnel of the rank of Petty Officer and below.
Two main forms are used, these are:-
AS 181. Punishment Return. Until October 1956 this form usually acted as a
file cover for a quarter's returns from a ship. A4 page document, it gives
statistical information for the quarter on numbers punished, abstract of
offences, leave information, remarks by the Captain and any senior officers
remarks.
AS 240. Daily Record of Offences and Punishments. This is in booklet form
and lists individuals names and particulars of offences and types of
punishments awarded.
Subsidiary forms for specific offences are also attached to each quarter's
or month's return. These consist of:-
AS 271. Warrants. This form which is used for certain types of punishment is
a 4 page document that details an individuals service particulars to date, the
offence and punishment awarded. A portion of the form contains a certificate
confirming that the matter was investigated. This was signed by the Captain and
the Complainant. There is also a list of former offences committed and a
statement to be completed if the offences were dealt with summarily. The form
can be yellow or white.
AS 270. Record of Proceedings at a Summary Investigation. This is an
enclosure to a Warrant and is in 6 sections:-
AS241. Disciplinary Charge Sheet and Punishment Record. These were given a
running number for each quarter and are single sheet forms divided into 3
sections.
1) Particulars of Rating charged.
2) Particulars of charges.
3) Decision of Investigating Officer.
AS 273. Report of Arrest and Trial by Civil Power. This form details the
circumstances of arrest and outcome of trial by Civil Authorities, of a naval
rating whilst ashore. A portion of the form is reserved for the Captain's
recommendation as to whether Naval penalties should also be imposed. Sometimes
statements from witnesses are attached.
The returns were rendered quarterly by each ship (this includes shore
establishments) until the September quarter of 1956, from which time the
returns were rendered monthly.
During the lifetime of the series the basic structure of the forms has
remained fairly consistent. However there has been a number of revisions e.g.
Returns c1913 have entries for caning of boys. This was dropped in later
revisions.
Not all ships rendered individual returns and others had a change of name.
Some examples are:
Some returns for HMAS "Derwent" include "Coombar" and
"Bombo" Boom Defence Depot HMAS "Moreton" include HMAS
"Pinkenba" and the title HMA "Boom Defence Depot Brisbane"
is also used.
Where WRANS are part of a Ship's Company they are not always on a separate
return.
HMAS "Wyrallah", "Heros", "Yandra" and
"Bingera" are sometimes combined on the one return. Where this is the
case the return is filed under the ship's name that appears first on the form
AS181.
Where the Naval Administration or Defence has overwritten in pencil the
changed name of the ship, this ship is filed under the original typewritten
name as rendered by that ship at the time of submitting the return.
The series has been converted from portions of two unserialised accessions,
CT156 and CT158, of which CT158 was originally deposited in the Victorian
Regional Office of Australian Archives as MT197. Arrangement at first was by
having each quarter as an individual item. However from HMAS
"Horsham" Australian Archives has placed, wherever possible, a full
years returns within one folder. Where this is not the case it is noted on the
series consignment list. Some Naval Punishment Returns may also be found in
Australian Archives Victorian Regional Office Series MP151.
PUNISHMENT RETURNS FROM 1959 ONARE IN SERIES A1813
Controlling series unregistered
Card index to Punishment Returns. n.d. Note: this "series" has a disposal action of Destroy when branch reference ceases.