87. Lieut. - Colonel ARCHER SHEEasked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that Mr. J. M. Guy, late saddler quartermaster-sergeant, 19th Royal Hussars, recently retired after forty-five years and 170 days' service as being medically unfit for further war service, and that this warrant officer is now only drawing a pension of £l 2s. 9d. per week; and whether, in view of the fact that he has served in the following campaigns: Egypt. 1882–4, the Nile 1864–5,South African War throughout, defence of Ladysmith, and is also in possession of the Good Conduct and Meritorious Service Medals as well as the 1914 Star, that ho was wounded on the 29th June, 1900, and joined the British Expeditionary Force in France in August, 1914, and also of his age and long service, 199 this pension may be supplemented by the special pension laid down in Article 1,201 of the Royal Warrant?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis man was discharged in March, 1918. He is drawing the maximum pension of his rank. He has received £207 arrears of pension as from the beginning of the War under the Order which enables a soldier serving in the War to draw his pension from the completion of twenty-two years' service; and in addition, payments amounting to about £24 from the Ministry of Pensions. He had the Meritorious Service Medal in 1906, and may in due course be granted an annuity in consequence. As far as can be foreseen, any general revision of the scale of pensions will apply to him. Special pensions under Article 1,201 are given on the recommendation of the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital, who have reviewed this case and do not make any such recommendation.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEECannot further consideration be given to this particular case, in view of the extraordinary nature of the man's service— forty-five and a half years' service?
§ Mr. FORSTERI will ask the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital to consider that.