Admiralty, 12th June, 1920.

It is now possible to, begin the distribution of the Naval Prize Money at present available in respect of those who are not now in the Service and are entitled under the Prize Proclamation of the 10th February, 1919. The amount of one full share earned by thirty months' qualifying service is 50s. The present notice only applies to those whose surnames begin with the letters A, E, L and S.

2. It will greatly assist the distribution if none but those having, the necessary qualifications apply, and if claimants will particularly note and observe the arrangements as to the order, etc., in which applications will be dealt with (paragraphs 4 and 5); no action can be taken on applications made out of order.

The conditions for participation are briefly as follows: Qualifying service is that rendered in a sea-going ship of war, or on patrol flight duty over the sea (R.N.A.S. only), for a minimum period of one month between 4th August, 1914, and 11th November, 1918. (N.B.- Examination and Boom Defence Service and Service in Transports, Hospital Ships and Auxiliary and other vessels armed for defence only does not qualify.) The qualification for full rates is thirty months of such service, the rate for lesser :periods being reduced proportionately. For those who were killed in action or otherwise whilst on service at sea, or who died or were invalided as the result of injuries received while on service at sea, or who, having at least ten months' qualifying service, died or were invalided on account of disease attributable to sea service, the possible qualifying time is considered as having extended to 11th November, 1918.

The number of shares depends on the ranks held at sea.

Those who have deserted or who were discharged from the Service for misconduct are not entitled to share.

4. Payment to the Imperial Naval Forces. will be made as follows:

(a) To Warrant Officers and men of the R.N.R., through Registrars R.N.R. from whom they will receive notifications of the sums due without application. Should they not receive such notification within a month of the appearance of the Admiralty notices relating to their particular cases (see paragraph 5) they should then make application either in person or by letter to the Registrar, R.N.R. (Superintendent of Mercantile Marine Office), nearest to their place of residence.

(Men who have changed the address given on their Protection and Identity Certificate or on final discharge from the Naval Reserve, should (if they have not already done so) at once notify the change to the nearest Registrar, R.N.R., or, if more convenient, direct to the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen, Tower Hill, London, E.1, quoting the number and letter of their Certificate R.V. 2. )

(b) To all other Officers, and to men of .the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and Mercantile Marine serving under Naval engagements, by the Accountant-General of the Navy, Prize Branch, Cornwall House, Stamford Street, London, S.E. 1, to whom claims should be made in writing signed by the actual claimant and accompanied by Certificates of Service or Discharge, or, failing these, other evidence of identity. Personal application at the Admiralty is unnecessary.

(c) To representatives of all officers and men deceased by the Accountant-General of the Navy, to, whom claims signed by the actual claimant should be addressed as shown in (b) above.

5. In view of the large number of payments to be made it will .be impossible to deal with all the claims at the same time, and, in order to prevent accumulation of discharge documents, etc., claims should only be made in the first place by those whose surnames begin with the letters A, E, L anal S. Notification will be given from time to time when claims in respect of those, whose. surnames begin with other letters can be received.

6. Until the pressure of payments is relaxed it will not be possible to enter into correspondence respecting the amounts paid, and their acceptance will not prejudice later adjustment if necessary.

7. No assignments of Prize Money can be recognised.

8. Payment to those still serving is being made through the ships or establishments in which they are borne.

9. Payment to the Royal Indian Marine and the Naval Forces of the Dominions will be made by the Indian and the respective Dominion Authorities, and applications from those residing in the United Kingdom should be made to the Government of India or to the High Commissioner of the Dominion concerned.

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