SIR HENRY FLETCHERasked the Secretary of State for War, If it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to confer a medal or decoration on the Officers, Non -Commissioned Officers, Privates, and Volunteers who held most gallantly, for a period of about one hundred days, the towns and garrisons of Pretoria, Standerton, Potchefsturm, Rustenberg, and other places, during the late Transvaal War, and handed over to the British Government the same garrisons and places at the conclusion of the peace?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONA Question on this subject was addressed to my Predecessor by the right hon. Baronet the Member for East Gloucestershire (Sir Michael Hicks-Beach) on the 10th of February, 1882. The reply then given was that the recognition of the gallant conduct of the troops who defended the various garrisons in the Transvaal during the operations against the Boers had been under consideration, and that the proposals and recommendations were being dealt with. The following honours and distinctions have been awarded for the operations against the Boers:—One Companionship of the Bath, six Victoria Crosses, and 23 distinguished conduct medals. It is not intended to reverse the decision which was arrived at by His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief and my right hon. Friend, which was adverse to the grant of a general decoration or medal for this campaign.