Function and purpose

This series consists of files relating to the administration of the military forces of Australia by the Department of Defence.

 

These records were transferred to the Department of Army following the separation of the Service Departments from the Department of Defence in 1939. Army assumed custody on behalf of the Department of Defence of all Defence records prior to 1925. Defence registry retained general Defence and Staff records only from 1925 onwards.

In 1917 this series replaced the A.B.D.E. series (MP.421/1 and MP.133/2), the A.I.F. series (MP.133/1), and the War series (MP.133/3). It was based on the subject groupings of the A.B.D.E. series but the numeration was altered by allotting the numbers 401/ to 700/. According to notes on a survey of records in the custody of the Army Central Registry, 1952 (RWM,30/2/4) "This system is also known in the Registry as the "Old Military" series. A typical file number is 401/1/1.

During the currency of this system a new method of putting files away was adopted. Up to 1924 all files were kept together in numerical order, but after that, all the files were kept in yearly groups according to the year in which action was completed. The incomplete or current files were maintained in separate pigeon holes and reference was therefore considerably easier". In 1930 a new system (but still based substantially on the old subject classification) was introduced and distinguished from its predecessor by the number allocation 701/ to 1000/.

 

Related legislation

 

Using the series

Language of material

 

Physical characteristics

 

System of arrangement and control

The method of arrangement and control is generally via a three number system, with prefix and infix numbers corresponding to primary and secondary subject classifications [the background to which are described above]. A very small number of files have been found to exhibit an infix in the form of a fraction. These are limited to a few files in the 612/25/-- and 612/8/-- ranges, and present on RecordSearch in the form 612/25-4/-- [eg. 612/25-4/132, or 612/8-1/44]. The fractions are intended to represent a further breakdown of the secondary subject classification, represented by the infix number, into Military Districts, numbering from one to five.    

Relationships with other records

 

Finding aids

 

Access conditions

 

Series history

The following data was keyed from the paper documentation:

Form number:  CA 17

Creating department:  Army, Army Headquarters, Secretary's Branch, Central Registry

Transferring department:  Army, Army Headquarters, Secretary's Branch, Central Registry

Date of transfer: 12/11/1968

Archives file number: RWM30/2/39 

Provenance

 

Immediate source of acquisition

 

Custodial history

 

Quantity in agency custody

 

Disposal history

 

Publication note

 

Additional information

 

End notes

 

Sources