Where a board of inquiry enquiring into the absence of an officer, warrant officer, non-commissionedofficer or soldier reports that he has been absent without leave or other sufficient cause for a periodspecified in the report, not being less than twenty-one days, a record of the report shall in accordancewith Queen’s Regulations be entered in the service books.

A record entered in pursuance of the last foregoing subsection shall, unless the absentee subsequentlysurrenders or is arrested, or the report of the board of inquiry is annulled by F2the Defence Council or a subsequent board of inquiry, have the like effect as a conviction by court-martial for desertion.