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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Old Bristolian on Tuesday 30 October 12 22:36 GMT (UK)

Title: How quickly were a family informed of a death in the First World War
Post by: Old Bristolian on Tuesday 30 October 12 22:36 GMT (UK)

I have a relative who was killed at the battle of the Aisne on 26th September 1914. Does anyone have any idea how quickly the news would have reached his family, assuming he was identified as KIA that day?

Steve

Title: Re: How quickly were a family informed of a death in the First World War
Post by: codge01 on Friday 02 November 12 19:27 GMT (UK)

I'm not sure if it will help, but my G Grandfather died in Etaples Military hospital France on the 28th May 1917 and the telegram home was received at 16:30 the following day 29th at the local post office, I would assume the post office would not sit on the telegram/ news and would of probably delivered straight away.

Of course I may be wrong.

Title: Re: How quickly were a family informed of a death in the First World War
Post by: Old Bristolian on Saturday 03 November 12 10:26 GMT (UK)

Thanks codge01

I'm impressed by the speed - I wonder if things were the same in the early stages of the war? Also, the individual in question was commemorated at the Ferte sur Jouarre memorial for those killed at the Marne/Aisne battles whose bodies were not found. This makes me think his death may not have been reported for some time. The fact is, his sister (my grandmother) was married the following day (September 27th) & I was told as a child that the wedding was very low-key owing to the bride's brother's death - I can't believe they have known so soon - perhaps he was reported "missing presumed dead" - but would this have been passed on so quickly?

Steve

Title: Re: How quickly were a family informed of a death in the First World War
Post by: codge01 on Saturday 03 November 12 13:28 GMT (UK)

Your welcome Steve, and I'm enclined to agree with you with regarding the speed. I'm sure deaths like my G Grandfathers were reported swiftly partly I guess due to him dying in such a large military complex like Etaples which I guess had an almost interrupted link back to Blitey, it was all but secure from attack apart from the air.

However in your case I'm sure your correct, especially given your comment on him appearing on the memorial, I would hazard a guess that the average notification was at least days, probably weeks and indeed longer for some casualties.

It's slightly off the ball park Steve, but there is some information here if you have not seen already.

Regards

colin

http://www.1914-1918.net/died.htm

Title: Re: How quickly were a family informed of a death in the First World War
Post by: weste on Saturday 03 November 12 13:50 GMT (UK)

A great uncle was missing presumed killed and his death cert says that it is sometime since this officer was seen alive. The death was presumes a month after he was there and that was july and he was reported in the newspaper in april the following year in the toll of the brave. I dread to think when they found out.

Title: Re: How quickly were a family informed of a death in the First World War
Post by: Old Bristolian on Saturday 03 November 12 14:09 GMT (UK)

Thanks for those replies - it seems to bear out what I thought; thanks too Colin for the very interesting link

Steve

Title: Re: How quickly were a family informed of a death in the First World War
Post by: manmack on Sunday 04 November 12 08:07 GMT (UK)

there was no time limit on reporting a death,if the soldier was killed and it was confirmed by the war office,they then inform the NofK straight away via their regimental records office,in the case of a man dying in hospital,its usually within 24hrs,if no info can be found on missing men after all enquiries have been exhausted,then they usually assume he died on or since the date they last saw him.

mack