§ MR. BERNARD COLERIDGE (Sheffield, Attercliffe)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether Sergeant Instructor J. Elliott, after 18 years' service as a First Class Sergeant Instructor, and 12 years' service in the Rifle Brigade, on the 6th of July, 1886, applied for his discharge from the 1st Cinque Ports R.V.C., and also for leave of absence; whether, by Battalion Orders, dated 3rd July, 1886, and signed by Major C. H. W. Cafe, Adjutant of the 1st Cinque Ports R.V.C., the discharge certificate of Sergeant Elliott was confirmed for the 6th of July, and whether by the same Orders he was struck off the strength of the Battalion from the 7th of July; whether on his return from leave of absence, and after his discharge had been received, he was, on the 16th of July, placed under arrest and deprived of his pay, until he threatened to go with his wife and family to the workhouse; and whether the reason alleged was because he refused to make himself responsible for irregularities in the matter of recording drills committed by a sergeant appointed to do his duties during his absence; whether the War Office received a letter from Sergeant Elliott, dated the 14th of July, 1886, Ticehurst, and addressed to the Adjutant General, War Office, London, and whether the War Office, in consequence of the said letter, gave any, and what, instructions in the matter; whether, on the 23rd of 251 July, 1886, Major Cafe cancelled the discharge of Sergeant Elliott, and whether that was done in order to attempt to justify his arrest, and by whose orders, and on what authority, the discharge was cancelled; and, whether Sergeant Elliott was subsequently discharged a second time, and whether any, and what, redress will be made for the placing under arrest and depriving of his pay under the above circumstances of a man over whom the Military Authorities had at the time no authority?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)Sergeant Instructor Elliott, of the 1st Cinque Ports R.V.C., did apply for his discharge and also for leave of absence. His discharge was confirmed for the 6th of July, and he was ordered to be struck off the strength from the 7th. On the 6th of July, however, before his discharge had been completed by handing to him his parchment certificate—and I may say that a soldier remains subject to military law till he receives his parchment certificate—he was ordered to fill up and complete his drill attendance book. This he refused to do, and, consequently, his discharge was suspended, and the matter reported to the General Officer commanding the District, who, on July 16, placed him under arrest and cancelled the order for his discharge. Sergeant Elliott subseqently expressed in writing his regret for his disobedience of orders, and begged his Commanding Officer to take a lenient view of his case for the sake of his wife and family, and in consideration of his long service. The General Officer commanding the District accepted this expression of regret, ordered his release from arrest, and approved of his discharge. A letter from Sergeant Elliott, dated the 14th of July, was received at the War Office, and an inquiry into the case was at once instituted.