HC Deb 22 March 1917 vol 91 cc2070-1W
Mr. CHANCELLOR

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on Tuesday, 13th March, a party of soldiers belonging to the No. 10 Eastern Company, Non-Combatant Corps, were paraded for inoculation at the Milton Barracks, Gravesend; that ten of them objected; that the medical officer, Captain Johnston, then threatened them with court-martial; that they were forthwith confined to barracks, and, upon one of them complaining to the company officer, Lieutenant Tottenham, he was informed that OB. had been inflicted for refusing inoculation; whether all other objectors in the company have been, or are at present being, confined to barracks; if so, whether any cause exists for this other than refusal of inoculation; if not, whether he will punish the officers guilty of this action; and what amends he proposes to make to the soldiers who have been wronged through it?

Mr. P. MEEHAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private William Carroll, No. 41939, 13th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, A Company, 2nd Platoon, British Expeditionary Force, France, who enlisted on the 3rd October, 1916, has been in the trenches since early in December last; if he is aware that Carroll will not be nineteen years of age until October, 1917; why has this boy been sent to the trenches before attaining nineteen years and after such short training; and if he can state why this Irish boy, who enlisted in the 5th Lancers, was transferred to an English regiment instead of an Irish regiment?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friends will be informed of the result.

Mr. FARRELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the present whereabouts of Private John Farrell, No. 23775, 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers, whose last known address was Portobello Barracks, Dublin; whether this man was tried by court-martial for deserting the Artillery and joining the 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers; what was the result of the trial; whether a brother of his was wounded in France, and is at present just about rejoining at the front; whether the separation allowance granted to his father was suspended after his desertion; and whether, as he has joined another corps, it will be renewed, especially having regard to the gallantry of the second boy?

Mr. FORSTER

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.