ARMY CASUALTIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21957, 8 May 1941, Page 9

ARMY CASUALTIES

Preparing The Lists Precautions To Ensure Accuracy (PA.) WELLINGTON, May 6. The method of compiling army casualty lists and the precautions taken to ensure accuracy were explained by the Hon. F. Jones this evening. The Minister said he was aware that some concern had been expressed by relatives of men serving in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force regarding what might be considered undue delay in the notification of casualties. Because of the nature of the operations in which the New Zealand troops recently participated, it would be readily appreciated that considerable disorganisation must have taken place. It was anticipated that detailed information would be available in the very near future.

Mr Jones emphasised the necessity for ensuring absolute accuracy in recording casualties. After the most careful and rapid checking of casualty lists the next-of-kin were immediately advised, and after a reasonable lapse of time casualties In the New Zealand forces overseas were released for publication. Extreme care in the compilation of casualty lists had to be exercised not only by the base organisation of the N.Z.E.F., to which returns of casualties were sent by the various units, but also by the Army Department in New Zealand. After the returns were received at the overseas babe they were carefully checked and then cabled to Army Headquarters, Wellington, where they were subjected to a further check to avoid the possibility of error during transmission. Mr Jones said that before telegrams were despatched to the next-of-kin, extracts from the cable from the overseas base were compared with the details on the soldier’s file kept In New Zealand In order to avoid the possibility of mistake in identifications. After identification had been established a telegram was sent to the next-of-kin giving all the particulars then available as to the nature of the casualty. Much extra work was at times entailed the department by people making further inquiries after receiving the telegram containing the advice of the casualty. All information then available to the Army Department was given in these telegrams, and the next-of-kln would be advised as soon as any additional information was received from overseas. Reference was made by the Minister to cases of next-of-kin falling to notify the Director of Base Records immediately of a change of address. The tracing of these people was a difficulty experienced by the Army Department when advising next-of-kin of casualties and of other circumstances connected with relatives on military service overseas. Next-of-kin in their own interests should keep the military authorities pasted of their whereabouts.