HC Deb 15 June 1939 vol 348 c1552W
Mr. Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the circumstances in which a drummer boy of the Brigade of Guards fainted at drill at Wellington Barracks on 12th June; and whether, as this incident was witnessed by the public, he will in the public interest direct an inquiry into the matter, and publish the findings?

Sir V. Warrender

I presume my hon. and learned Friend is referring to an incident reported in a section of the Press on 13th June, and he may have seen that the statements made were subsequently corrected. The facts are that the boy felt dizzy and stumbled towards the serjeant in charge who caught him and thus prevented him from falling. Both the serjeant and the boy have expressed resentment at the manner in which the incident has been misrepresented.