What do the Block Nos mean at the top of POW Questionnaires?

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by Justin History, May 23, 2013.

  1. Hi All

    Not sure what they mean, i.e. at the top of my grandfather's POW questionnaire (he was captured in Singapore, was part of F Force and ended the war at Changi) it says Block No 5 A (Block No A is stamped, No 5 is handwritten). I had various thoughts:

    1) Does it connect in any way to when they were repatriated?
    2) Is it simply when a group of questionnaires issued?
    3) Does it relate to the place?


    His name was Gunner W.C.E. Nash 9th Coastal Regiment Royal Artillery, no 868241.

    Best wishes


    Justin

    Nash POW Questionnaire.jpg
     
  2. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Justin

    A scanned image would help ?

    Ron
     
  3. Enigma1003

    Enigma1003 Member

    Hi Justin,

    I cant tell you what they mean, but have been able to rule out two other options.

    I have just looked at 3 different ones, which are all for men with the same surname.

    They are marked, Block 18, Block 37 and Block 44.

    This rules out that its just A-Z.

    It also rules out that it was the file number of the 98 files available at the National Archives, as again they would all be in the same alphabetical file.

    I would think its one of the options you listed.

    Mike
     
  4. Thanks for your help again Mike. There must be a system here.
     
  5. Ron, image now with original post.
     
  6. Enigma1003

    Enigma1003 Member

    Justin,

    I have just looked at 6 Questionaires from men who all arrived in Manila in the same flotilla after being repatriated from Formosa on September 9th 1945.
    They are marked as Blocks 61,61,63,32,34,34. so this seems to rule out that the forms were completed overseas.

    On another site it states that these questionaires were completed as they arrived back in UK, so seems to suggest it will depend where they disembarked/landed, and as only some went through a medical check- in centre maybe that answers why only appx 50% completed a questionaire.

    Mike
     
  7. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Justin

    Pleased to see that others have now supplied the answers to your queries.

    Best regards

    Ron
     
  8. Thanks Mike, I wonder if somewhere in the National Archives a file exists setting out the procedure for the collection of these questionnaires? I think the trouble would be finding it.
     
  9. jacksun

    jacksun Senior Member

    From the sounds of it this was just some form of organizational scheme for controlling things and getting them filled out, maybe splitting men into groups, assigning block numbers and letters which then cross referenced to info such as what ship, how many men aboard, and what date and time they arrived back.

    Checked a few other LR's from POW's held in Germany and all they have is the normal 6 digit number and then check marks and the occasional "Nil" noted on them.

    Afraid you may just have an administrative notation mystery on your hands.
     
  10. I agree, it would be a useful one to solve for the reasons set out.

    Best

    Justin
     

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