MR. OWEN LEWISasked the Secretary of State for War, If it is true that the Monaghan Militia, which disembarked at Portsmouth on the 13th inst., at 4 a.m., at once proceeded to Codford Downs, a distance of sixty miles, where they arrived at 6 a.m., and were immediately ordered to march to a review eight miles off, from which they did not return until 5 p.m., making a total journey of sixteen miles on foot; if any breakfast was provided for the men before starting from Codford Downs; if they got any food or drink of any kind whatever during the day until they returned to their quarters at 5 o'clock in the evening; if they were kept standing in an almost tropical sun for two hours and a-half before being inspected; if any cases of sunstroke were reported as occurring either in the Monaghan Regiment or in the Brigade; if so, how many, and if any such ended fatally, and what proportion such bore to the total effective strength; if it is customary in the Line to march soldiers such a distance during the hottest part of the day, and that without either food or drink; and, if he will have any objection to lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the Brigadier's Despatch?
MR. GATHORNE HARDYIn reply to the hon. Member's Question, I have to say that I endeavoured to obtain all the facts respecting the Monaghan Militia; but I must say, without any desire to keep anything from coming before this House, I regret very much that complaints of this kind are not sent in the first instance to the War Office instead of being brought up here. When we hear of it for the first time here we are at some disadvantage, because we have to collect information in a great hurry, and the facts turn out to be different from what is supposed. The answer I have received is this—
1. The Monaghan Militia disembarked at Portsmouth at about2 p.m. on the 13th inst., proceeded by special train, and arrived at their camp at East Codford, in Wiltshire, a distance of about 60 miles, at 6 p.m. the same day. Their tents were ready for them. They marched at about 7 15 a.m. next day, 14th, about four miles to a review. They had breakfast before starting, and a portion of bread was issued to each man before starting to take in his haversack. Three companies had cheese, but, by some mistake, none had been put into the waggon for 1970 the other three. They halted three-quarters of an hour at Yarnbury, had water, and the Army Service Corps water cart, which accompanied them, was refilled, and went with them to the ground. They arrived on the ground about 10 a.m., the review began about 12; they left the ground again about 2 p.m., and got back to camp about 4 p.m. Proper arrangements were made in every way. There were no cases of sunstroke nor deaths in this regiment; but there was one which was fatal, and four not so, in the other regiments of the Brigade.