§ Mr. PARKINSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War the circumstances under which No. 1,421,480, Farrier Frank Roscoe, Royal Garrison Artillery, of 395, Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan, was drowned at Gibraltar when embarking for the East nearly six months ago; and whether any pension has been recommended for the widow and child of this soldier?
§ Mr. GWYNNEThe hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that Farrier Roscoe was drowned at Gibraltar when embarking. He was with his unit at Malta, under orders to move to the Near East,526W but the move did not take place till 10 days later, and on the night of his death he was quartered in barracks. He was last seen alive sitting outside his hut about 10 p.m. on the 10th September. He was missing next morning; his bed had not been slept in, and his body was discovered by the police in the harbour on the following afternoon. An inquest was held, but no evidence was forthcoming as to how he got into the water, and the verdict was one of "Found Drowned." It appears clear that Farrier Roscoe's unfortunate death was in no way connected with any military duty, and in these circumstances I much regret that I am not in a position to recommend the award of a pension for his family.