Army (Annual) Act 1887

JurisdictionUK Non-devolved
Citation1887 c. 2


Army (Annual) Act, 1887

(50 & 51 Vict.) CHAPTER 2.

An Act to provide, during twelve months, for the Discipline and Regulation of the Army.

[28th April 1887]

W HEREAS the raising or keeping a standing army within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in time of peace, unless it be with the consent of Parliament, is against law:

And whereas it is adjudged necessary by Her Majesty and this present Parliament, that a body of forces should be continued for the safety of the United Kingdom and the defence of the possessions of Her Majesty's Crown, and that the whole number of such forces should consist of one hundred and forty-nine thousand three hundred and ninety-one men, including those to be employed at the depts in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the training of recruits for service at home and abroad, but exclusive of the numbers actually serving within Her Majesty's Indian possessions:

And whereas it is also judged necessary for the safety of the United Kingdom, and the defence of the possessions of this realm that a body of Royal Marine forces should be employed in Her Majesty's fleet and naval service, under the direction of the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom, or the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral aforesaid:

And whereas the said marine forces may frequently be quartered or be on shore, or sent to do duty or be on board transport ships or vessels, merchant ships or vessels, or other ships or vessels, or they may be under other circumstances in which they will not be subject to the laws relating to the government of Her Majesty's forces by sea:

And whereas no man can be forejudged of life or limb, or subjected in time of peace to any kind of punishment within this realm by martial law, or in any other manner than by the judgment of his peers and according to the known and established laws of this realm; yet nevertheless it being requisite, for the retaining all the before-mentioned forces, and other persons subject to military law, in their duty, that an exact discipline be observed, and that persons belonging to the said forces who mutiny or stir up sedition, or desert Her Majesty's service, or are guilty of crimes and offences to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, be brought to a more exemplary and speedy punishment than the usual forms of the law will allow:

And whereas the Army Act, 1881, will expire in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven on the following days:

a. ) In the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, on the thirtieth day of April; and
b. ) Elsewhere in Europe, inclusive of Malta, also in the West Indies and America, on the thirty-first day of July; and
c. ) Elsewhere, whether within or without Her Majesty's dominions, on the thirty-first day of December

Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty...

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