HC Deb 29 July 1919 vol 118 c1918
18. Mr. STANTON

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the fact that the Discharged Sailors' and Soldiers' Association of the Aberdare district and elsewhere complain of the treatment meted out by the military authorities in the case of funerals of soldiers on the Reserve; whether he is aware that at Cwmbach, Aberdare, some short time ago a soldier on Reserve was killed at one of the local collieries, and at the request of the relatives all efforts were made by the soldiers' and sailors' branch to obtain a military funeral, that applications were made to the authorities-at Aberdare and Cardiff without avail, and that finally the members of the branch were able to obtain the services of the King's Royal Rifles Cadets' band from Cardiff at an expense of over£20; and if lie will reimburse this£20 and establish a complete permanent station for military funeral purposes, consisting of gun-carriage, team-firing party, and band in these districts?

Mr. FORSTER

I am afraid a military funeral cannot be provided unless; the soldier's death is due to, or aggravated by, military service, and I regret it is not practicable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion in the last part of his question.