ABSTRACT
Sir,—The garrison at Alderney generally consists of a battery of artillery, a few coast brigade men, and a wing of a Line regiment. In the summer of 1872, a wing of the 1st Battalion 9th Regiment came to Alderney, and in April, 1873, was relieved by a wing of the same regiment stationed at Guernsey. At the relief in April five women, apparently married without leave, or not on the strength of the regiment, were brought to the island with their husbands in Her Majesty’s ship Dasher. On Sunday, the 20th July, the transport Tamar landed two companies of the 84th Regiment, and took one wing of the 1st Battalion 9th Regiment, having previously on board the other wing of the same regiment with its headquarters, and proceeded for Plymouth. Two women that had embarked in Guernsey provided, as they say, with a pass from their husbands’ captain, were forced on shore at Alderney, nor could any remonstrance from the police persuade the officers spoken to to take them back, or any of the previous five landed by the Dasher. Thus seven women, the wives of seven men belonging to Her Majesty’s Army, were thrown on the island destitute. The parish authorities took immediate charge of them, and a collection was made to assist them to reach their husbands. A third woman, the wife of a corporal in the band, was also ordered on shore, but her husband resisted and threatened to throw himself overboard if parted from his wife. This requires no comments. If such cruelties are to be tolerated, what will become of the Service? I am told a remonstrance has been made to the lieutenant-general commanding the district.—I remain, yours truly,
