GREATWAR-L Archives

From: John Chapman <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] telegrams to relatives
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 11:53:11 +0100
References: <000a01c5a380$86985a00$0901a8c0@Home>
In-Reply-To: <000a01c5a380$86985a00$0901a8c0@Home>

The answer is as long as a piece of string.

It would probably take the adjutant several days to compile the lists of
casualties for a situation like 21st March when the battalion was no
doubt either fleeing for their lives or putting up resistance, They had
to send the lists via Brigade and Division who then informed the war
office - they would check he wasn't listed as a deserter or had reported
back to another unit They had to find out his registered next of kin and
then they sent out the telegram saying he was 'missing' If he had been
killed by a sniper in the trenches the telegram could have taken as
little as 48 hours but for the missing of March 21st I would be
surprised if it took less that three to four weeks. It could then take
several months for the second telegram to say he was presumed dead



In message <000a01c5a380$86985a00$>, Laffey
<> writes
>Hello
>
>Thanks to all listers who have answered questions this week. Here is another!
>
>Can anyone tell me how long it took for a telegram to be sent to the
>relative of a casualty?
>
>I am thinking specifically about a man posted as missing on 21 March 1918.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Sue Laffey
>
>
>==== GREATWAR Mailing List ====
>For enquiries about British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in WW1
>your first stop should always be http://www.cwgc.org which is a
>fabulous online source of information
>
>==============================
>View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find
>marriage announcements and more. Learn more:
>http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx
>
>

--
John Chapman

This thread:

• telegrams to relatives by "Laffey" <>

  • Re: [WW1] telegrams to relatives by John Chapman <>

  • Re: [WW1] telegrams to relatives by David Dixon <>