§ 123. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that in consequence of the circumstances connected with the deaths of Lieutenants Lucas and Worswick, of the 2nd King Edward's Horse, during the recent rising in Dublin and the fact that evidence on behalf of these officers was not called at the court-martial held on Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Flood, an impression exists in the public mind that these officers of this overseas regiment were connected with or concerned in the Sinn Fein movement; and whether, having been urged thereto by the Member for the West Toxteth Division of Liverpool, he is now prepared to do justice to the memory of these gallant gentlemen and thereby relieve the anxiety and grief of their relatives and remove a stigma from their regiment?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am more than surprised to learn that such an impression exists, and I only hope that it may not be widespread, as there is no justification whatever for it. I have read the proceedings of the court-martial, and I cannot see under what circumstances evidence on behalf of these gallant officers, then deceased, could have been properly admitted. There is nothing whatever in the proceedings to cause anyone to come to the conclusion that they were connected with or concerned in the Sinn Fein movement, and the general impression which a perusal of the proceedings leaves is that these two officers met their deaths under the most deplorable circumstances, due to the misunderstandings and the confusion which inevitably arose during the fighting in Dublin, and whilst gallantly and fearlessly carrying out their orders in a manner which redounds to their credit and to that of the gallant regiment which honours their memory.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs my hon. Friend aware of the great interest, not only outside but inside this House, which is taken in this subject, and will he give me an assurance that the War Office will officially write to the wife of Lieutenant Lucas and to the mother of Lieutenant Worswick, to assure them that these gallant and honourable gentlemen died in the performance of their duty to their King and country, and so help to assuage the mental anguish of these ladies?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am well aware of the interest taken in this question in this House, and more particularly by my hon. Friend, who has made this subject his own. I hope we shall be able to write to these relatives.