§ 34. Colonel BURDONasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the bombardment of Hartlepool on 16th December, 1914, was only the second occasion in the history of England that a British defended port has been attacked in daylight by an enemy fleet, that this was the first occasion on which a unit of the New Army, as well as the other troops engaged, had been under fire and suffered loss, that this was the only occasion on which British troops were called upon actively to defend their native soil, that at least one of the enemy cruisers 1842 was seriously damaged by our fire, he will consider the propriety of giving some special recognition to the troops engaged?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe gallant behaviour displayed on the occasion referred to has already received special recognition in the shape of the award of the Distinguished Service Order to the officer in command and one Distinguished Conduct Medal and two Military Medals to the non-commissioned officers of the battery which was in action.
§ Colonel BURDONAs the recognition already given does not apply to the rank and file, will the right hon. Gentleman consider if their services also cannot be recognised?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have been considering whether the War medal could be applicable, but it obviously raises very difficult questions, because I should have to make careful inquiries to see how far personnel engaged in repelling air raids and so on are likely to be entitled to it, and their dangers do not seem to have been greater than those endured by a very large proportion of the inhabitants.
Colonel THORNEHas the right hon. Gentleman made personal inquiries about the two little popguns whose muzzles when they were manœuvring the guns about came right in front of the lighthouse?