FO371-23517 — Page 87

Subject:= Injury.

From::

To:=

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Headquarters, China Command,

Hong Kong.

The Under Secretary of State,

The War Office,

London, S.W.1.

C.R.C.C. No. 18978 (A).

379

21st. August, 1939.

I forward herewith a report concerning the wounding of No.

4451820, Private S. Lant, 1st. Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry.

This soldier was admitted to the Military Hospital, Peking, on

10th. June, 1939, suffering from a gun shot wound in the right knee.

The wound was caused by a stray bullet during a fight between

Japanese Police and Japanese gangsters and I attach copies of letters

which were received by the Commandant, British Embassy Guard, from

the British Embassy, Peking, in connection with the case.

As a result of the wound the Medical Officer reports that

Private Lant is likely to be in hospital for a considerable time and

he is unable to give any opinion as to whether the future efficiency

of the soldier will be impaired.

Army Form B. 117 is being prepared and a Court of Inquiry will

be held as early as possible. Copies of the proceedings will be

forwarded in due course.

With regard to the attached letter from the British Embassy,

Peking, dated 13th. June, 1939, I presume that hospital expenses and

loss of services will be claimed from the Japanese authorities in

due course.

It is regretted that no report was submitted at an earlier date,

but no information concerning this affair reached these Headquarters

until the 21st. August, 1939.

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(Signed) A.B. Thomson, Brigadier,

for Major-General,

Commanding the British Troops

in China.

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