HC Deb 16 November 1944 vol 404 cc2138-9W
Mr. R. C. Morrison

asked the Secretary of State of war whether ire is aware that 6472762 Corporal G. Miller, M.M., R.F., who served in Africa and Italy, was promoted from lance sergeant to sergeant, severely wounded and captured at Anzio, has now been repatriated with his left arm amputated at the shoulder and has been informed that as he had not held substantive rank of sergeant for 21 days he must revert to corporal, thereby adversely affecting his disability pension; and whether he has discretionary power to deal with exceptional cases of this kind.

Sir J. Grigg

Corporal Miller was promoted to the acting rank of sergeant seven days before he was wounded and captured, and as acting rank does not qualify for pay until it has been held for a continuous period of 21 days, he had not qualified for the paid rank at the time of his capture. His reversion to his war substantive rank of corporal after repatriation is in accordance with the normal rules, and as the appointment of lance-sergeant does not qualify him for a higher rate of disability pension, his pension is not affected by his reversion. I do not propose to take any special action in this case.