(1) A person shall not, by reason of his or her enrolment or service as a member of any police, military, naval or air force, lose or forfeit any interest in a society or branch which he or she possesses at the time of his or her being so enrolled or serving, or be fined or otherwise penalised for absence from or non-attendance at any meeting of the society or branch, if his or her absence or non-attendance is occasioned by the discharge of his or her police, military, naval or air duty as certified by his or her commanding officer, any rules of the society or branch to the contrary notwithstanding.