Absentee MSA

[Jervis]

Does anyone what the MSA stands for in the context of an offence described as "absentee MSA" ? 

 

I saw saw the term in the Dublin Metropolitan police records that FMP have recently provided search index for. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

 

[tullybrone]

Hi,

 

I’d hazard a guess that it is a Police “wanted” notice in relation to a man who’d likely failed to report for Attestation/enlistment under the Military Service Act 1916 (conscription) and was therefore subject to arrest by the civil authorities for production before a Local Magustrate to await military escort  - although I’m surprised it is in a Dublin Police document as conscription did not apply in Ireland?

 

Steve

[Jervis]

Thanks for the suggestion Steve. Sounds plausible. 

 

The men in question would be already enlisted men who have deserted/ over stayed furlough etc. 

 

Some offences will say "absentee Royal Dublin Fusiliers" and name the addresss as such and such camp. 

 

However I have noticed some that say "Absentee MSA", I was wondering if that was a generic term or if there was specific info re: his unit.

 

Military Services Act sounds like a good fit. Assuming it did covered more than just conscription. 

[ss002d6252]

'Absentee MSA' would likely cover those men who had failed to report when called up (and presumably were thought to have fled in to Ireland) where as 'absentee XYZ battalion' would be men who had been called up, turned up for service and then gone awol/deserted.

 

Craig

Edited 26 August , 2018 by ss002d6252

[Jervis]

It could be Craig, but not that clear cut. In the page I was looking at there are 5 soldiers in a row charged with same offence. "Absentee MSA". Three have English addresses, one an Irish address and one has no address recorded. All were handed over to a military escort. 

 

 

Edited 27 August , 2018 by Jervis

[Bernard_Lewis]

MSA is Military Service Act, that is conscription, basically. 

 

Bernard