§ 26. Mr. ALBERT SMITHasked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Francis Entwistle, who joined the Scots Guards in 1891, and served with the colours until 1898, rejoined from the Reserve on mobilisation in 1899, and served in the South African War, earning the Queen's South Africa medal and clasp for Belmont, Modder River, Paardeberg, Diefontein, Johannesberg, Diamond Hill, and Belfast, and also the King's South Africa medal and clasp 1901–2, and was then transferred to the Reserve, joined Section D, 1st Class Army Reserve in 1901, completing sixteen years' service in all; and whether he will reconsider the refusal to allow Entwistle to serve a second term in the same Reserve because he was following the occupation of cotton weaver, but at the same time being well used to horses; and, if not, whether he will recommend the Regulations being so altered as to admit of men of this stamp entering the class of Reserves referred to or let it be known to men joining the Army from the textile trades that it will be impossible for them to take full advantage of the Regulations unless they learn another trade?
§ Colonel SEELYMy attention has been drawn to this case. Re-engagements for a second term of service in Section D are regulated by paragraph 18 (a) of the Army Reserve Regulations, and are confined to those men who can be employed on their trades on mobilisation, e.g., bakers, butchers, carriage smiths, wheelers, saddlers, etc. A weaver could not be employed on his trade while serving with the troops on mobilisation. It is not considered to be in the interests of the Service to make the suggested extension of the Regulations, and I regret therefore that I am unable to take the action suggested by my hon. Friend.