Sir WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Army Council has refused honours in connection with the South African War to the Royal Army Medical Corps (Volunteers), and that war honours have been granted to numerous Volunteer corps which sent contingents to the war, he will state what was the average strength of the contingents sent; and whether, in view of the fact that the eight divisions of Royal Army Medical Corps (Volunteers) in various parts of the country contributed to medical units during the war some 650 officers and men, amounting to two-fifths of their strength, the Army Council will reconsider its decision.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) It is not the custom to award honours to any but corps of cavalry and infantry, as it is accepted as a fact that all the other branches of the Army have contributed in some measure to every honour which is recorded on colour or accoutrement. Accordingly no honours for South Africa were awarded to Artillery, Engineer, Army Service, or Medical Corps, Regular or Auxiliary.