Historically, the first "traveling warrants" were issued to Freemasons in a specific military group. Grand Lodge Ireland was the first to issue traveling warrants. For instance
"Most of the Military Regiments sent on garrison duty to New South Wales in the early days of the Colony had Masonic Lodges attached to them, but Lodges Nos.227, attached to the 46th Regiment, and 218, attached to the 48th Regiment, are those most closely associated with the establishment of the first permanent Lodge in Australia. Lodge No.227, I.C., the Lodge of Social and Military Virtues, attached to the 46th Regiment, is credited with holding the first public Masonic ceremony ever held in Australia. On 2nd November, 1816 this Lodge was responsible for the laying of the corner stone of Bro. John Piper's house at Eliza Point, Sydney. Thirty-two Masons actually took part in the ceremony. Lodges under the Irish Constitution The 46th Regiment, to which Lodge No.227,I.C.,was attached, was in New South Wales from 1814 to 1817"
(source
http://www.discoverylodge.org.au/files/pdf/public-presentations/Early FM in NSW.pdf )
So, when 277 IC was moved from Sydney, the warrant and lodge went with them to their new destination (Madras I believe) . In the British Army, this is why you find the same Lodge in India, Afghanistan, Mauritius and other British Colonies during the late 1700's and through the 1800's - the regiment was being moved around - and the warrant went with them.
As these military lodges today seem to be of Prince Hall GLs, I've not sure what happens there... but would would often find a traveling warrant would be used to initiate men and some would be left behind when the military group left, either by virtue of some of those military men retiring and staying in a colony or some of the residents being initiated. Prince Hall is a classic example of the latter. Those regularly initiated men left behind, would then apply for a warrant, often sponsored by the lodge holding the traveling warrant under which they were initiated...