§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the widow of an officer killed in action becomes entitled to a pension; and whether the widow of a private soldier killed in action is also entitled to a pension.
MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSWidows of officers killed in action are awarded a gratuity of a year's pay and pensions unless they are left in wealthy circumstances, but such pensions cannot be claimed as a right. Widows of private soldiers killed in action are awarded either a pension from the Soldiers' Effects Fund or a gratuity of one year's pay. If the soldier's wife be dead a gratuity of one third of a year's pay is awarded to each of the children under the age of sixteen. The Soldiers' Effects Fund is administered by the Royal Commissioners of the Patriotic Fund.
§ MR. JAMES O'CONNORWhat is given to the wives of non-commissioned officers killed in action?