§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to issue a special medal for all members of the Territorial Force who were serving on 4th August, 1914, and to all ex-members of the Territorial Force who had served for a period of not less than four years in the Territorial Force prior to the War and who rejoined on the outbreak of War; and whether, in view of the fact that many men enlisted in the Territorial Force after the 30th September, 1914, and knew of the War when engaging for foreign service, he will favourably consider issuing the medal to all men in the Territorial Force in 1914?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir; the award of a medal for members of the Territorial Force has been approved provided they undertook to serve overseas on or before 30th September, 1914, and were passed physically fit and accepted for service overseas, and provided that they have not qualified for the 1914 Star or the 1914–15 Star. The medal is not a commemorative medal; the primary reason for its award being to provide a distinguishing mark for those who during peacetime prepared themselves for war by undergoing military training, and in the case of those still serving undertook on the outbreak of war to serve overseas or, if not still serving, rejoined the Territorial Force for that purpose.