§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Undersecretary for War whether any compensation was ever paid to the relatives of Private Francis Geraghty, a native of county Longford, who was killed in the Boer War in South Africa; whether he is aware that this man was the sole support of his father and sister; and whether any provision can even now be made whereby a grant will be made to his surviving relatives?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Army Council neither had nor have any funds at their 1731W disposal for the assistance of the surviving relatives, other than widows and children, in such a case as this. The claim of Geraghty's father was referred in 1900 to the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation, who rejected his claim on ascertaining that he was not dependent on the late soldier, not having received any assistance from him for four years. The soldier's married sister and more distant relatives could not have been considered eligible for a grant in any circumstances.