§ 14. Mr. STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for War whether the 1915 Star will be given to officers of the Indian Army who have the following services to their credit since August, 1914: two North-West Frontier expeditions in the early days of the War, two years in Aden against the Turks, followed by another frontier expedition, and finally by service in Persia since 1917?
Captain GUESTThe operations in the Asiatic theatre of war for which the 1914–15 Star will be awarded are contained in paragraph 5 of Appendix A of Army Order 20 of 1919, of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy. As the final date of the 1914–15 Star is the 31st December, 1915, service in Persia does not apply.
§ 25. Captain REGINALD TERRELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department has yet reached any decision with regard to differentiation between the ribbon pertaining to the 1914 Star and that pertaining to the 1914–15 Star; and whether the design of the latter Star has been settled?
Captain GUESTThe question of differentiation of ribbon is still under consideration. The design of the 1914–15 Star has been settled.
§ Captain TERRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction amongst officers on this question?
§ Captain TERRELLWhen can we have a definite answer?
37. Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the decoration of the 1915 Star awarded for active service in 1914–15 on the various fronts has been given to the Royal Army Medical Corps serving in Egypt and has been withheld from those similarly serving at Malta; 1069 whether Malta was one of the principal hospital bases for Gallipoli; whether Egypt was also a hospital base for wounded evacuated from Gallipoli; if the personnel serving at the base hospitals in France receive this decoration; and if he will state what are the grounds that led to this difference?
Captain GUESTAll ranks who served in Egypt on the establishment of a unit in operations against the Turco-German or Senussite Forces are eligible for the award of the 1914–15 Star, and the same is true as regards all who served on the establishment of a unit in France, that country being included in the European theatre of war. It has been decided after full consideration that Malta cannot be considered a theatre of war for the purpose of the award of this Star, which is therefore not available for issue in respect of service there.
Sir F. HALLCan my hon. Friend tell me why that decision has been arrived at, considering that Egypt was accepted as a hospital base on the same lines?
Captain GUESTYes. The Army Council have gone very carefully into this, and are of opinion that the 1914–15 Star cannot be given for service in Malta, because it would also have to apply to all defended ports, including the East Coast of England.