HC Deb 25 June 1920 vol 130 cc2554-6W
Commander Viscount CURZON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what were the total casualties of the Royal Navy, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and mercantile marine ratings, respectively, in His Majesty's ships during the War; what were the total casualties of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and mercantile marine ratings, respectively, in merchant ships during the War; and how many torpedo badges were awarded to men of the mercantile marine during the War?

1918. Colonel Sir JAMES CRAIG

The information required is not available in the form asked for, and to split up the figures into the several classes referred to in the question would involve a scrutiny of the Reports relating to each casualty since August, 1914, entailing a very large expenditure of time and labour altogether incommensurate with the value of the resultant information. Statements giving such information as is available regarding the total casualties from all causes suffered in His Majesty's ships and merchant ships by the officers and men of the Royal Navy and Reserves (other than the Royal Naval Division), and showing those of Mercantile Marine Reserve ratings separately, are given below:

(a) Casualties suffered by officers and men of the Royal Navy and Reserves (including Mercantile Marine Reserve) whilst serving in His Majesty's ships and merchant ships between 4th August, 1914, andth November,

The figures include:

  1. (1) Officers and men of Royal Navy, Royal Marine (afloat and ashore), Royal Fleet Reserve, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Naval Reserve (trawler section), Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and Colonial Reserves.
  2. (2) Officers and men of the Royal Naval Air Service, up to 31st March, 1918.
  3. 2555
  4. (3) Members of the Mercantile Marine Reserve.
  5. (4) Civilian canteen employés, men serving in Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, etc.

Officers. Men. Grand Total.
R.N., etc. M.M.R. Total.
Killed in action (including died of wounds). 2,074 19,609 1,126 20,735 22,809
Died from all other causes 400 11,007 436 11,443 11,843
Wounded in action 549 3,887 74 3,961 4,510
Injured, not in action 256 370 22 392 648
Still missing 2 2 2
3,279 34,875 1,658 36,533 39,812

(b) Prisoners of War and interned officers and men.

The number of officers and men who

Officers. Men. Grand Total.
R.N., etc. M.M.R. Total.
Prisoners of War 211 811 13 824 1,035
Interned 51 138 32 170 221
262 949 45 994 1,256

Prisoners of war and interned officers and men who died whilst in captivity or internment are included both in Table A and B. The remainder of the officers and men in Table B have either been repatriated, released, or have escaped. Officers and men presumed dead are included in Table A.

The difference between the tables now prepared and those contained in Cmd. 451, p. 22—"First Lord's Statement explanatory of the Navy Estimates, 1919–20," are due partly to more precise information since received regarding prisoners of war, etc., and partly to discrepancies in the earlier figures on which the table was

The following are excluded:

  1. (1) Officers and men of the Royal Naval Division.
  2. (2) Officers and men of the British Mercantile Marine.

were made prisoners of war, or who were interned during the same period were:—

based being discovered during revision, and in some cases to reclassification.

Information regarding the number of officers and men of the Trawler Section of the Royal Naval Reserve, so far as the numbers killed, or who died from other causes are concerned, is contained in the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Hull (Central) on 23rd December, 1919. The parts of the question relating to casualties in merchant ships of officers and men other than those specified in the preceding statements, and as regards Torpedo Badges awarded, should be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.