HC Deb 06 August 1918 vol 109 c1116
18. General McCALMONT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction at the conditions under which the 1914 Star has been awarded; and whether, in view of the number of officers and other ranks who are to receive the Star without having had any fighting experience, he will consider the advisability of extending its general issue and adding a clasp for those who were within certain geographical fighting zones either in France or elsewhere in 1914?

Mr. MACPHERSON

As regards the first part of the question, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that no medal or decoration has ever been granted where the conditions of award did not cause some dissatisfaction. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

General McCALMONT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many hundreds of men who missed this medal by a matter of minutes, whereas there are many hundreds who received it without being in the least entitled to it?

Sir F. HALL

Will the War Committee take into consideration the granting of some decoration to all those men who voluntarily joined up in 1914—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Gentleman should give notice of that question.