Ο περί Κυπριακής Εθελοντικής Δυνάμεως Νόμος (ΚΕΦ.174)

1. This Law may be cited as the Cyprus Volunteer Force Law.

2. In this Law-

“Army Act” means the Army Act, 1881 (44 and 45 Vict., c.58), of the United Kingdom, and includes all Acts amending or substituted for the same and all articles of war thereunder in force;

“Commanding Officer” used in relation to the Force means the Commanding Officer of the Force appointed under section 9 or in his absence the next senior officer actually present and doing duty with the Force;

“Force” means the Cyprus Volunteer Force formed under this Law;

“officer” means a person holding the Governor’s commission as an officer of the Force;

“other rank” means warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the Force;

“recruiting officer” means a person appointed under section 6 to enlist other ranks.

3. It shall be lawful for the Governor whenever it appears advisable to do so by reason of the existence of a state of war or of the apprehension of war or by reason of any internal emergency threatening the security of life or property to form a Force to be called “the Cyprus Volunteer Force” with a view to assisting the regular forces in the Colony or the Cyprus police force or both in all measures required for resisting invasion or ensuring internal security.

4.-(1) It shall be lawful for the Governor on behalf of Her Majesty to accept the service of any persons being British subjects desiring to join the Force and offering their services to Her Majesty.

(2) Nothing in this section contained shall be deemed to render it obligatory upon the Governor to accept the services of any person.

5. The Governor shall have power from time to time to determine the strength of the Force and its establishment of officers and other ranks.

6. The Governor may by writing under his hand appoint any person to enlist suitable persons to serve in the Force.

7. Every other rank shall, upon enlistment, sign an engagement for three years or the duration of the present war, whichever may be the longer period, in the form set out in the First Schedule to this Law.

8. Every other rank shall, upon enlistment, take the oath or make the declaration in the form set out in the Second Schedule to this Law to be administered by the President or a Judge of a District Court or by an officer of the Force or by a recruiting officer.

9. The Governor may appoint a Commanding Officer, an Adjutant and such officers of the Force as he may deem necessary.

10.-(1) Officers and other ranks shall wear such uniform and shall carry and use such arms, ammunition and equipment as the Governor may direct to be supplied to the officers and other ranks by the Government.

(2) The uniform and any arms, ammunition and equipment supplied to any officer or other rank shall remain the property of the Government.

11. The Commanding Officer shall be responsible to the Governor for-

(a) all arms, ammunition, equipment and stores issued to the Force;

(b) all moneys and funds which may be entrusted to him from time to time for the use of the Force;

(c) the maintenance of the strength of the Force;

(d) the discipline and good order of the Force;

(e) generally for the proper carrying out of such lawful orders as may be issued to him from time to time by the Governor or any person duly deputed by the Governor in that behalf.

12. The Governor may, by Proclamation, call out and mobilize the Force or any part thereof for actual service whenever it appears advisable to do so by reason of the  existence of a state of war or of the apprehension of war or by reason of any internal emergency threatening the security of life or property.

13. The provisions of the Army Act shall apply with respect to the discipline of officers and other ranks subject to the following modifications-

(a) the words “Force” may be read therein for the words “regular forces”;

(b) the words “other rank” may be read therein for the word “soldier”;

(c) the words “the Governor” may be read therein for the words “Her Majesty” or “Secretary of State.”

14.-(1) The Governor may discharge any officer and the Commanding Officer may discharge any other rank who has been guilty, of misconduct, disobedience or neglect of duty or who, in his opinion, is unsuitable to be a member of the Force, without payment to such officer or other rank of any compensation whatsoever.

(2) Any officer or other rank discharged under the provisions of subsection (1) shall be liable to deliver up in good order, fair wear and tear and legitimate use only excepted, the uniform and all arms, ammunition and equipment issued to him.

15.-(1) The Commanding Officer shall have power to make any agreement or take such action as to him may seem fit in respect of or relating to any matter incidental to the ordinary requirements of the Force and to institute civil proceedings by the name of his office on behalf of the Force.

(2) All civil proceedings against the Force shall be brought against the Commanding Officer.

16. All officers and other ranks shall receive during their service with the Force such pay, rations and allowances as may be determined by the Governor, chargeable upon the revenue of the Colony.

17. Any officer or other rank who is wounded or injured while serving with the Force shall receive such pension or gratuity as the Governor in Council may determine, chargeable upon the revenue of the Colony.

18. All officers or other ranks who shall by reason of their duties with the Force leave wives or families who are unable to support themselves, shall receive such relief for the maintenance of their wives and families as the Governor in Council may determine, chargeable upon the revenue of the Colony.

19. The widow or family of any officer or other rank who-

(a) is killed while serving with the Force;

(b) dies of wounds received while serving with the Force;

(c) dies from disease or illness directly attributable to his service with the Force,

shall receive such pension or gratuity as may be determined by the Governor in Council, chargeable upon the revenue of the Colony.

20. The Governor may make Regulations to be published in the Gazette for the better carrying out and for giving further and better effect to the provisions of this Law.

21. The Commanding Officer shall have power to issue standing orders relating to the administration and discipline of the Force and for giving effect to any Regulation made under this Law.

22. Every civil action against, and every criminal prosecution of, any person in respect of anything done in pursuance or in contravention of this Law shall be commenced within six months after the cause of the proceedings has arisen.

23. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Law or in any appointment made by the Governor under the provisions of this Law or any engagement signed by any other rank as in section 7 provided, the Governor may, at any time, by Proclamation, disband the Force or any part thereof without payment to the members of the Force or to the members of the part so disbanded of any compensation whatsoever and may give such instructions as may be necessary for carrying any such Proclamation into effect.

24.-(1) Nothing in this Law contained shall render any officer or other rank liable to serve or proceed on duty outside the Colony without his consent.

(2) Any officer or other rank who consents to serve or proceed on duty outside the Colony may be ordered to serve or proceed on duty with any other unit or corps of His Majesty’s Forces. The consent to serve or proceed on duty as aforesaid shall be in writing and in the form set out in the Third Schedule to this Law.

(3) Any officer or other rank who is ordered to serve or proceed on duty outside the Colony with another unit or corps as aforesaid shall, without prejudice to any benefits conferred by this Law, be entitled to receive such pay, allowances and rations as are payable and issued to officers and other ranks of equivalent rank in such other unit or corps.