1940 Casualty Card

[Pendlewitch67]

Good evening

I have just gained access to my uncle's ww2 casualty card and the name and address of his nok was amended from his father, my grandad, to his mother, my grandma.

They moved house so I can understand the change of address but any idea why the name of the nok changed? My grandparents were together at the time, to my knowledge.

Thanks.

Kind regards
Amanda

[Andy J2022]

I can think of two possibilities.

1. His father had a heart condition or hypertension and so the son wished that any bad news be given first to his mother so that she could break the news in a less stressful manner to his father.

2. His father was away from home a lot on war work or worked awkward shifts meaning that the mother was easier to contact in an emergency.

[Pendlewitch67]

I can think of two possibilities.

1. His father had a heart condition or hypertension and so the son wished that any bad news be given first to his mother so that she could break the news in a less stressful manner to his father.

2. His father was away from home a lot on war work or worked awkward shifts meaning that the mother was easier to contact in an emergency.

Hi

Thank you for the suggestions.

My grandad didn't have any health issues at that time and worked in the local factory.

I wondered if it had anything to do with army pensions. Just a guess.

So just Googled my query which I reworded from my previous search:

In the event of an Army casualty, a single soldier's mother would be the primary person notified, provided she is registered as the official Next of Kin (NOK) in the soldier's service.
 

[MollyC]

In WW1 my great uncle named his mother as next-of-kin on enlistment, I have often wondered why.