§ MR. JEFFREYS (Hampshire, N.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Sergeant Major Burney, Prince of Wales's Light Horse, who claims that he was one of the men who tried to rescue Captain Robert at Colenso, and who states that he is owed £145 by the War Office, for which he has made repeated applications, but has not yet received a penny; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter.
LORD STANLEYMy attention has been drawn to this man's case, and I caused inquiries to be made by cable as to the truth of his statements. I have received the following reply—
Burney enlisted Durban 30th January, 1901; was acting squadron sergeant-major, and reduced to ranks by district court-martial 1st March; was in hospital some time, and discharged the service 17th May; was arrested by civil power 18th May, and fined for drunkenness five shillings or five days; no pay due to him; he left power of attorney at Standard Bank of South Africa; officer commanding Prince of Wales's Light Horse knows nothing about him, as he never joined the corps in the field; no trace of his name in any Natal irregular corps; he has made no application for passage out of South Africa, consequently, as far as military is concerned, he is still in South Africa.