Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 9, 9 August 1916, Page 8

Great Britain

VICTORIA CROSSES. V (j> s i ia ve iK'on awarded to the following:— Private Chair, East Yorkshire, seeing a desp itch-beai er halt buried and unconscious, carried on the despatch. He showed great initiative at a critical nionient and collapsed from wounds after delivering it. Sergeant Erskine, SixLli Hdies, showed an utter disregard of danger, and thrice rushed out and rescued a sergeant, private and an olfieei. Sapper Hackett,' Engineers, was eucombed with three comrades in a gal hr.y. When the rescuers reached Hackett he declined to leave the other man who was seriously wounded. The again collapsed, and the rescuers worked desperately lor lour dav> but failed to reach Hackett, who well knew the danger of retreating, and deliberately gave Ids life for his comrade. , f Private Proctor; Liverpool Regiment, went out in full view and dressed the wounds of two comrades, and gave one Ids own clothing, thus enabling their rescue alter dark.

Private Stringer, Manchester, kept back the enemy single-handed until all Ids grenades were expended. His gallant stand saved the flank and enabled the battalion to steadily withdraw.

SOLDIERS PENSIONS.

London, August 8

The Statutory Committee administering the Royal Patriotic Fund has issued details oil a scheme for pensions enabling disabled men to receive a maximum combined pension of oOs weekly ; widows with children 40s, disabled' officers £lB7 10s annually, officers’ widows £l5O. Other beneficiaries include parents and sisters. In nearly all cases the scale is paitially regulated by pre-war incomes. Mr. McKenna asks Parliament to-day to grant £5,000,000 to the Statutory Committee.

Mr McKenna, on being questioned, assured the Bouse that private benefactions would not be appropriated in order to relieve the State’s obligations, but a committee of all parties in the House of Commons was being, formed to resist any attempted encroachment. »j j;: ARMY BILL PASSED. Press Association—Copyright. Reuter’s Telegrams London, August 7. The House of Commons has passed the Army Act Amendment Bill. The Bill will enable cabling to civilian witnesses to attend, and also allow civilian membership on army tribunals. Mr Lloyd George agreed not to restrict the membership of the tribunal to peers and members- of the House of Commons, as at first proposed. Mr Lloyd George explained that he was seeking to protect the young (Irish Catholic soldier against an accusation involving his honor. There wore other cases involving civilians* Lord ’Kitchener had approved of this form of. inquiry. |

Sir E. Carson approved the Bill, saying ho knew a good deal ot the facts.