Kathie Posted 27 November , 2007 Share Posted 27 November , 2007 After Delville Wood in July 1916, Tom Barbour records in his diary how he went to Corby on 22nd July and spent three days "sorting out personal kit from deceased mens valises". What does this really mean? Is it packing it all up for sending home? Is it picking and choosing and only sending very personal stuff like photos and letters etc and then keeping coats and rucksacks for the army? Kathie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 27 November , 2007 Share Posted 27 November , 2007 Kathie the standard procedure was only to return personal items home & WD property was taken for reissue to those needing the kit Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 27 November , 2007 Share Posted 27 November , 2007 Are you sure it was Corby and not Corbie on the Somme where La Nueville British cemetery stands. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desdichado Posted 29 November , 2007 Share Posted 29 November , 2007 Kathie the standard procedure was only to return personal items home & WD property was taken for reissue to those needing the kit Chris My dad told me that on his squadron, when an aircraft failed to return, the RAF police would come by the next day and clear the mens' kit away. Personal effects were auctioned with the proceeds going to the dead man's family. In the Napoleonic War, a dead officer's effects such as his sword and horse were purchased by other officers with the proceeds going to the dead man's estate, unless he owed debts. Perhaps something similar happened at the front during the Great War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 29 November , 2007 Share Posted 29 November , 2007 Dead man's kit, In the Royal Navy it is a standard procedure and has been since the 19th century. The Leading Hand/ President of the mess pack the kit, in total and recording everything. This is then handed over to the Master at Arms/ Coxswain who in the presence of the Supply Officer sort the kit into Personal property, Service Issue and items taken on charge; IE. Tool kits Service stores etc. The Service Stores on charge are removed from the man's account, those not accounted for are charged to his pay account the cost to be removed from his estate. Service issue (uniform underwear sports gear etc.) is put to one side to be auctioned to his ship mates, the proceeds accounted to his estate. Personal effects are sorted (can be tricky, don't want to send a photo of his girlfriend to his wife) by the Master at Arms/Coxswain with his Officer and his Leading Hand/President these are then sent to his NOK. I'm sure a similar procedure happened in the army. Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathie Posted 14 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 14 December , 2007 It was indeed Corbie - my misspelling - in fact spent a week there in July this year - but what a miserable job sorting out personal effects - possibly one knew the dead. Thanks for help Kathie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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