HC Deb 12 June 1945 vol 411 c1507W
Captain Poole

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the case of a soldier who died in this country as the result of wounds received in action and whose body was sent home for burial covered solely by a pyjama coat; and what explanation has he to offer for such conduct.

Sir J. Grigg

I have had inquiries made into this most unfortunate case. Whilst there is conflict between the account given by the contractor and that received from the relatives of the soldier, it is true that the body was not inspected by a military representative as it should have been. The Military Registrar was away on leave at the time of the death and his representative was engaged at another hospital, so that no officer was available for this duty. Instructions have now been issued, however, that if neither of these officers is available the body of any soldier who dies in hospital will be inspected by some other officer or in the absence of any officer by a warrant officer or senior non-commissioned officer, before the body is despatched to the relatives. I should like to express my profound regret for the pain caused to the relatives in this case.