§ MR. COGAN (Wicklow, E.)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Gunner James Kelly, J. Battery, R.H.A. (No. 88,614), who in an engagement at Slingersfontein, Cape Colony, in the late South African war, when a section of his battery was surrounded by Boers and Sergeant A. Watson was shot, ran to his aid under a heavy fire, and was subsequently assisted by Sergeant-Major Cox as well as another man; and whether, seeing that Sergeant-Major Cox has been awarded a distinguished service medal for saving Sergeant Watson's life, he will explain why Gunner Kelly has been 238 passed over and no notice taken of his action, and will he be awarded a similar medal to that given to Sergeant-Major Cox.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The name of Gunner James Kelly, J Battery, R.H.A., was not brought to Lord Roberts' notice for gallant conduct. Battery Sergeant-Major Cocks was awarded the distinguished conduct medal for good work and not for any specific act of gallantry. I am afraid, therefore, that I am not in a position to take any further steps in the matter.