§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that on 25th September, 1859, John Hynes enlisted in the 67th Regiment of Infantry, and whilst serving took part in the military operations in the south of China, being present with his regiment at five engagements, in the last of which he was wounded, and his eyesight almost entirely destroyed, in consequence of which, after a service of 9 years and 210 days, he was discharged on a pension of 6d. a day; will he inquire on what grounds, after the lapse of two years and three months, this pension was suddenly stopped, and no further pension since paid to him; and, whether the Secretary of State for War will consider the advisability of restoring this man's pension as a reward for his good conduct and bravery?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.John Hynes was discharged from the 67th Foot in 1869, after less than 10 years' service, in consequence of defective vision, which the medical authorities certified to have been a natural defect 1546 existing prior to enlistment. He had never been wounded, and was not in possession of any medal or clasp. The Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital granted him a pension of 6d. a day for 27 months; and in 1871 they refused an application for its renewal. Hynes' service does not entitle him to any further pension.
§ SIR HENRY HAVELOCK-ALLAN (Durham, S.E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether his attention has been called to the case of Alexander Nelson, formerly a soldier in the 75th Regiment, who took his discharge in China in 1881, under a Royal Warrant granting him a free discharge and a deferred pension after 55 years of age, and has since been deprived of the pension on the plea that there was a mistake in the wording of the Royal Warrant; and whether, if these facts prove to be so, he will give instructions that faith be kept with this soldier by granting him the deferred pension to which he is justly entitled, and of which he has been admittedly deprived by the error of some War Office official, for which he is in no way responsible?
MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSAlexander Nelson was discharged from the 75th Foot on the 2nd September, 1871 (not 1881 as in the question), with a total service of 12 years and 53 days on his limited engagement. He is not entitled to a deferred pension, as the Royal Warrant requires a minimum service of 14 years. There was no mistake in the Royal Warrant; and the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital have no power to grant Nelson a deferred pension.