§ Mr. WATTasked the Secretary of State for War whether Sergeant Richard Elley, of the 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment, who served in the Zulu War of 1879, was awarded this year a medal for meritorious services; if so, will he say how many years elapsed between the service and the award; did his commanding officer recommend him at the time for this honour; and will he say why non-recommendation by the commanding officer at the time and the length of time that has elapsed from the service are- made reasons in other cases for not conferring similar honour, as in the case of Corporal William Devlin, of the 68th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, and Bombardier George Jamieson, of the same battery?
§ Colonel SEELYThe meritorious service medal, with annuity, is granted to soldiers above the rank of corporal for long, valuable, and meritorious service, or to soldiers above the rank of corporal who have been mentioned in dispatches for valuable and meritorious service during a campaign. This medal, with annuity, was granted to Sergeant Elley on the 1455W occurrence of a vacancy in the list of annuitants. Corporal Devlin and Bombardier Jamieson are not eligible for this medal.