EXTENSIONS OF SERVICE IN THE REGULAR ARMY
The following information is quoted from Grierson (1899):*
"To secure efficient and experienced cadres for the army, permission is granted in many cases to extend the time of service beyond the period originally stipulated for, and also to remain the whole twelve years in active service. But this so-called extension confers no claim to Pension. After the expiration of twelve years those who do not wish to re-engage themselves, or are not allowed to do so, are simply discharged. Extension of the time of service does not even confer claims to higher pay.
The terms of extension of the time of service are as follows:
a. Warrant Officers are entitled at any time to extend their time of service to twelve years.
b. Non-commissioned officers, who have served successfully for one year as corporal, bombardier or second corporal (with the engineers) have the same right. If at the expiration of this year they do not make use of this right, it is open to the commander of the battalion, &c., to grant them leave after three years of service to extend their time.
c. Other soldiers, who have enlisted for seven years active service, may have leave given them after three years by the commander of the battalion, &c., to extend their time of service to twelve years, especially if they have proved themselves useful, and have earned a "good conduct badge." Those who have enlisted for three years’ active service and nine years in the reserve may be allowed at any time by the same officer to extend their time of active service to seven years, and then to twelve years as has been said above. Men engaged as trumpeters, drummers, buglers, pipers, or farriers are compelled to extend their time of service to twelve years; but, if they have forfeited their posts, they may be placed in the reserve after the expiration of their stipulated time of service."
* GRIERSON, J.M. Scarlet Into Khaki: The British Army on the Eve of the Boer War. Greenhill Books, London, 1988, p. 23.