HC Deb 19 November 1918 vol 110 cc3346-7
Mr. RUNCIMAN (by Private Notice)

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now inform the House what have been the total British casualties in all theatres during the prosecution of the War?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The figures are necessarily incomplete, and I am afraid it will be some little time before exact figures can be given. But these are our figures up to the 10th November, 1918, including Dominions and Indian troops, for the various theatres of operations:—

Theatre of Operations. Killed (including Died from Wounds and Died from other Causes). Wounded. Missing (including Prisoners). Totals.
Officers. Other Ranks. Officers. Other Ranks. Officers. Other Ranks. Officers. Other Ranks.
France 32,769 526,843 83,142 1,750,203 10,846 315,849 126,757 2,592,895
Italy 86 941 334 4,612 38 727 458 6,280
Dardanelles 1,785 31,737 3,010 75,508 258 7,431 5,053 114,676
Salonika 285 7,330 818 16,058 114 2,713 1,217 26,101
Mesopotamia 1,340 29,769 2,429 48,686 566 14,789 4,335 93,244
Egypt 1,098 14,794 2,311 35,762 183 3,705 3,592 54,261
East Africa 380 8,724 478 7,276 38 929 896 16,929
Other Theatres 133 690 142 1,373 51 908 326 2,971
37,876 620,828 92,664 1,939,478 12,094 347,051 142,634 2,907,357
Grand total 3,049,991

I would mention that the numbers "missing" include 6,741 officers and 164,767 other ranks known to be prisoners of war; and also over 80,000 officers and other ranks whose deaths have been accepted for official purposes.

In addition to the above figures, there have been 19,000 deaths from various causes amongst troops not forming part of any of the Expeditionary Forces.

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the publication of these figures in tabular form, so that we may see them in full detail?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Certainly, Sir.

Sir C. HENRY

May I ask whether, amongst the wounded, are included those who have been disabled on account of illness due to the War?

Mr. MACPHERSON

No, Sir.

An HON. MEMBER

Can we have the naval figures also?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must apply to the Admiralty.

General Sir IVOR PHILIPPS

May I ask whether, amongst the wounded, are officers and men who have been wounded several times and have been counted on several occasions?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Yes.

Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHS

Would it be possible to get the Admiralty figures to-morrow, before the Houses rises?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Gentleman should give notice of that.