§ 17. Mr. RENDALLasked whether any and what inquiries were made as to the past history of Private E. H., No. 46127, West Yorkshire Regiment, before he was sentenced and shot for desertion on 17th February last; whether it was known that this man was considered by his employers and townspeople, previous to his becoming a soldier, to be mentally weak, and that whilst a, soldier he gave considerable anxiety and trouble to the doctors and his officers; whether such doctors had made any report, and, if so, what report of his mental condition; whether, after he deserted, he wrote his mother several letters, the envelopes of which she sent on to his regiment to enable them to discover his whereabouts, and that it was by means of these envelopes that he was found, and, as a consequence, shot; and will he call for a full report on this man's health and conduct record previous to his death?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have made inquiry, and find that this man was specially examined by the medical authorities both before and after his trial by court-martial, with the result that he was found to be in a perfectly normal state of health. I have no information as to the other suggestions raised by my hon. Friend.
§ 18. Mr. RENDALLasked whether Private E. H., No. 46127, West Yorkshire Regiment, was sentenced and shot for desertion on 17th February last, whether information to this effect and with no other information and no preliminary letter was sent on 16th March to his mother by the Infantry Record Office, York, No. 2; and whether he will explain why such method of proceeding was adopted in view of the pledge given by him?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt is much regretted that an error was made at the Record Office, and steps have been taken by the officer in charge to prevent a recurrence.
§ Mr. RENDALLAs this has caused very great pain and also injury to the health of the mother of this young man, will the War Office send some recognition of their error to this woman?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think that is a very reasonable suggestion, and if the officer in charge of Records has not done so I will see that it is done.