Compassionate Leave from Overseas
The Army has established a system for notifying the Next of Kin of any soldier who is involved in an incident, which results in casualties. This system has evolved over a number of years. The main aim of the casualty procedure is to ensure that a soldier's Next of Kin (you) is informed as soon as possible after an incident.
The system is designed to inform the nominated Next of Kin whether they are in Germany or in the UK. This system can only work if you inform the Welfare Office of the address you will be staying at if absent from your quarter. Likewise, if you intend to go away on holiday within Europe, then it is in your own interest to provide a phone number and address at which you can be contacted.
This is to ensure that in the event of a casualty occurring, the Next of Kin can be given the full details. If the Welfare Officer cannot contact the Next of Kin, then it is likely that the first thing the family knows about the incident is when they hear it on the radio or TV.
If a casualty occurs and the Next of Kin has remained in Station, they will be visited by an Officer (usually the Welfare Officer) who will give them all the available information (which will have been telephoned through by the unit). If the Next of Kin has returned to the UK, they will then be visited by an Officer from a local military unit, who will have been informed of the details of the incident by the Regiment.
Please be assured that if a casualty does occur, then the Next of Kin will be informed as quickly as possible. Do not sit at home and flinch every time you hear a radio or TV message about an incident in the area where your spouse is serving.
Please ensure that your relatives are aware of the system; it is the only safe way of getting you home quickly in an emergency.