HC Deb 04 March 1919 vol 113 cc190-1
16. Mr. CHARLES WHITE

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that many Englishmen are still serving in different theatres of war who came over at their own expense from the Colonies and joined English regiments in the first months of the War; whether he is aware that Colonial troops who came over a long time after have been demobilised some time; and whether he will at once inquire into the case of Sapper J. T. Carthew, No. 279014, No. 4 Railway Survey Section, Royal Engineers, care of R.C.E. 4, British Expeditionary Force, a civil engineer who gave up an important position in Canada in August, 1914, came to England at his own expense and joined an English regiment, has been twice wounded and has had typhoid and trench fever, and notwithstanding repeated application is unable to obtain his discharge?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I would refer to the answer given to my Noble and gallant Friend the Member for Horsham and Worthing on the 18th of February. Officers and soldiers of the Imperial Army claiming repatriation overseas, whose claims have been or may be approved under existing Regulations, are not being retained for the Armies of Occupation unless they so desire, and will be repatriated as the exigencies of the Service and facilities of transportation permit, irrespectively of the date they joined the Colours, or of age, or whether they enlisted voluntarily or were called up under the Military Service Acts, 1916. A considerable number have already been repatriated. Sapper Carthew would appear from the information given by my hon. Friend to be eligible for repatriation, and if so and his claim is approved, he will no doubt be included in a dispersal draft without any delay.