HC Deb 16 April 1885 vol 296 cc1869-71
MR. CALLAN

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to the following statement in the Dublin Correspondence of The Tablet of the 10th April, relating to the embarkation, onboard the Lydian Monarch, of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers:— About six weeks ago two squadrons of this regiment sailed from Kingstown for the Soudan on board the Lydian Monarch. The men marched from the Island Barracks, under the command of Lieut. Colonel Chichester. So far, there was no more irregularity than what also took place when the Guards left London for the seat of war. On arriving at Kingstown it was found that the Lydian Monarch would not be ready to embark them for another two hours. This enforced halt led to many of the men being supplied with drink by their friends. Colonel Vandeleur, in command of the Home contingent of the regiment, was present as a spectator. Shortly afterwards these irregularities were brought under the notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and Colonel Chichester was recalled all the way from Egypt. Colonel Vandeleur was called upon by the Duke of Cambridge for an explanation, though he was not officially in charge of the departing corps. Colonel Vandeleur sought an interview with the Duke of Cambridge, which at first was refused, but ultimately, through the intervention of Lord Hartington, was granted. The Duke of Cambridge, however, was inflexible. Not even an inquiry would be allowed, which had been eagerly requested. The sting of the injustice lies in the fact that neither of these officers is responsible for the delay of the Lydian Monarch, which was the primary cause of the mischief, nor for the intrusion of the civilian element, against which it was the duty of the general staff to take the proper precautions, and is aggravated by the further fact of the proper authorities, Lord Clarina and his staff, being present on the spot officially. It is of course admitted that there has been a distinct breach of the 57th and 58th paragraphs of the 17th section of the Queen's Regulations, but for the due effect of these the officer, i.e. Lord Clarina, commanding the district or station is responsible; whether it is a fact that Colonel Chichester was so" recalled all the way from Egypt; "whether it is a fact that Colonel Vandeleur was present on the occasion in question merely as a spectator, and not officially; whether it is true, as stated, that "not even an inquiry would be allowed," and that both Colonel Chichester and Colonel Vandeleur, both of whom have seen over a quarter of a century's service, were "summarily compelled to resign;" and, whether Lord Clarina, the officer commanding the district, was present on the occasion in question; and, if so, whether he was present officially, or as a mere spectator, like Colonel Vandeleur, and, in either case, on what grounds has not the Commander-in-Chief held him responsible, under the like circumstances, as he has held Colonel Chichester and Colonel Vandeleur?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Very grave irregularities occurred at the embarkation for the Soudan of the two squadrons of the 5th Lancers. Although my attention has not been drawn to the particular newspaper article to which the hon. Member refers, the whole subject has been brought officially to notice by the General Officer Commanding in Ireland, and has received, and is still receiving, careful consideration. It was not considered desirable, under the circumstances, that Lieutenant Colonel Chichester should command the squadrons in the field, and he was therefore recalled from Egypt. Lieutenant Colonel Vandeleur was present, and as he commands the regiment could only be held to havo been there in an official capacity. He was called upon to resign the command; but, owing to contradictory statements having reached the Commander-in-Chief, His Royal Highness has postponed removing these officers from the regiment until a Court of Inquiry shall have reported on all the circumstances. Lord Clarina only arrived at Kingstown during the afternoon. He is responsible to the Commander-in-Chief for the manner in which duties are carried out in his district.