§ Mr. NIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, on 22nd November, 1911, Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was ordered to remove from his arm the crown which he was entitled up to that date to wear; what was the reason for such order, and is he aware that, although upon his refusal Stickney was charged before a military tribunal and acquitted by the commanding officer, he was within a few weeks again put upon his trial and convicted by a court-martial on 5th January, 1912; and will he explain why Stickney was so retried in violation of the Regulations laid down on page 455 of the Manual of Military Law?
§ Colonel SEELYFrom the court-martial proceedings it appears that no plea in bar of trial was offered in reference to the disposal of any other previous cases of disobedience for the offence of continuing to wear a crown when told not to do so. Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was tried by court-martial on 5th January for an offence committed on the 25th November, when he refused to obey a command given by him by his commanding officer. There was no violation of the law.
§ Mr. NIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney, of the Army Ordnance Corps, was promoted sub-conductor on 21st May, 1910, on terms of three months' probation; what was the reason for imposing a period of probation if Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney had passed his professional examination for sub-conductor in 1909, as stated in his corps history sheet; has the man received the pay and allowance in respect of this promotion; and, if so, for what period?
§ Colonel SEELYStaff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was placed on probation far the rank of sub-conductor as 2051W stated. Article 685 of the Royal Warrant for pay distinctly lays down that a noncommissioned officer before promotion to the rank of sub-conductor will be placed on probation. No non-commissioned officer on probation for a higher rank draws the pay of the higher rank until he has been confirmed in the higher rank. Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was not so confirmed.