Father and death of son

[familyhistoryman]

My colleague is writing a story that features the death of 3 young boys in England in 1916. The deaths took place on the same day; in the same location. Their fathers were in the same battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment. He would like to know how the fathers would have been informed of the deaths. Would they have been told whilst they were in the front line trench? Who would have told them - sergeant, captain? Any ideas?

Many thanks, Tony

[tootrock]

I do not think there would have been any official notification of the deaths. The men would have heard the news via letters sent by their families.

Martin

[familyhistoryman]

16 hours ago, tootrock said:

I do not think there would have been any official notification of the deaths. The men would have heard the news via letters sent by their families.

Martin

Martin

Many thanks for your help. Do you know how long it would have taken for a letter from England to reach the troops in France in 1916

Tony

[tootrock]

Tony,

There was a very efficient postal service to the Western Front, and a man in the trenches would have recieved letters from home within a few days of posting.

Martin

[familyhistoryman]

On 19/09/2019 at 09:08, tootrock said:

I do not think there would have been any official notification of the deaths. The men would have heard the news via letters sent by their families.

Martin

Martin

Many thanks for your help. Do you know how long it would have taken for a letter from England to reach the troops in France in 1916

Tony

Martin

Many thanks

Tony