Notification of Death or injury

[david bush]

Hi There,

 

Could someone explain how loved ones were notified that their love line had been wounded or worse, killed on the fields. Was it by telegram?

My Grandfather was gassed, eventually sent to Catterick Hospital in Yorkshire to convalesce. My grandmother went to stay with him. How would she have been informed?

[kenf48]

As ever. 'it's complicated' there was no universal experience but the basic system in the British Army is explained on the Long Long Trail

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/what-happened-to-a-soldier-who-died/

Another example is here

The main complication were the tens of thousands of 'missing', although as evidenced in the above link provision was made by the authorities to inform next of kin it left them  in a state of uncertainty.  

Another was the efficiency of the British Postal system in the BEF, an officer or chum might write to the bereaved and their letter might arrive before the initial notification.  Distance also complicated the issue, the Australians for example adopted a system whereby the local clergyman would inform the relatives, for the British communication was not always as efficient in distant theatres. 

Relatives were also sent a telegram regarding dangerously wounded men in the Base Hospitals and if they had the means could travel to France to be by their side.

As for your grandfather, it is likely his wife was informed by telegram.  Although once he was at Catterick it is quite possible either he, or one of the medical staff on his behalf, wrote to her. 

 

 

[david bush]

Thank you so much. I appreciate your response

[kenf48]

You’re welcome.

One of the most famous, or well recorded accounts is that of the poet Wilfred Owen, killed in action on November 4th 1918 at the Battle of the Sambre.  His family received the telegram notifying them of his death at midday on Armistice Day, November 11th.