I beg to ask the Secretary of State, for War—(1) whether his attention has been called to the destitute condition of the widow of Thomas Donnelly, of Moyne, county Tipperary; (2) whether he is aware that Donnelly served in the 86th Foot for 21 years and 112 days, was engaged in the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, took part in 14 engagements, received three good conduct badges, medal and clasp, and was invalided on a pension of 11d. per day; and (3) whether, in view of this record, it is possible to afford some pecuniary relief to his widow?
Pensioner Thomas Donnelly died on 4th June 1893, after having been in receipt of a pension of 11d. a day for 30 years. It is not known whether he was in 14 engagements; and he was not invalided, but went to pension at his own request; in all other respects paragraph 2 appears to be correct. The widow now asks to be treated as the widows of men killed in the Crimea, whereas her husband drew his pension for 30 years. I am afraid there is no Regulation under which anything can be done for her from Army Funds.