HC Deb 07 December 1920 vol 135 c1929W
Mr. MILLS

asked the Secretary of State for War why Lieutenant Clendining, 3rd Royal Irish Rifles, who was diagnosed by a medical board on 20th October, 1917, at Allahabad, was removed from that station under escort to Bombay, and there placed in a wired cage with a German spy under an armed guard, and later handed over to Major Dunn, senior medical officer, hospital ship "Takado," as an alleged dangerous lunatic, although he had been allowed to retain a razor and a sporting rifle; and if he is aware that this officer, after personal examination, immediately released him, and that neurasthenia was caused by the treatment he had received?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

I have no information as to the alleged treatment of this officer referred to in the first two parts of the question. The Medical Board in India stated that Lieutenant Clendining was suffering from "neurasthenia," and recommended his transfer to England in a hospital ship as an invalid under surveillance. As regards the allegation contained in the last part of the question, Lieutenant Clendining himself completed a Statement as to Disability (Army Form Z.22) in July, 1919, in which he stated that he was suffering from "Neurasthenia started in India, March, 1917, probably caused by climate."