TOPIC:

I'd be grateful for any help finding sources, printed or otherwise, which explain the processes involved in recording and passing on to next of kin information relating to individual casualties during the Boer War. I understand that, at some point during the war, a unit was established (in Cape Town?) under the control of the DAAG's office, to receive and coordinate all information regarding casualties. I'm unsure whether they reported casualties to next of kin, or whether casualty data was sent first to the War Office, who then took responsibility for informing NOK. Was there a set of regulations for dealing with the missing?

Thanks.

Mike

Mike,

I am not sure of the process in South Africa.

It does appear that the War Office in London posted lists of casualties because there are reports of people searching the lists that were put up.

The newspapers sourced their lists from the same location as this except from The Times, 2 November 1899, shows:

David
Many thanks for your reply. I think that the Casualties Department set up in Cape Town would have telegraphed those casualty lists to the WO, which then published them, as well as informing NOK. It was the basis of the system used in WW1. There was a WO committee on the notification of casualties that met in 1907, at a time when Field Service Regulations were being revised, to make suggestions. It was from there that I got the fact that a Casualty Dept was set up in Cape Town. The committee thought the system worked well and recommended that in any new war a similar system be established. The framework that eventually got into Field Service Regulations in theory was effective, but the huge number of casualties overwhelmed it in 1914.

My main interest is in the missing officers of 1914, so I was anxious to confirm the origins of the casualty process, which clearly can be found in the Boer War.

Thanks again.

Mike

Mike,

Have a quick read of this letter, It is the only mention of 'casualty department' on the whole site:

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/2-introductio...a-pretoria-1900#2210

With regard to the role of the Army Post Office Corps, this page adds some more information:

www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/im...my-post-office-corps

David
Thank you very much for brining these to my attention. They are very helpful.

Best wishes

Mike