Alfred Robert Knight

Repatriation Papers

Following employment in Woolwich Arsenal Alfred Knight began negotiations for his family’s emigration to Burma. The papers refer to ‘repatriation’ leading to the supposition that his earlier work in Burma was continuous up to the out-break of war and he regarded it as ‘home’. The correspondence relating to moving from 82 Victoria Road, Charlton, SE7 to Burma are shown below. Careful reading of it might lead you to think that the Civil Service of 1920 was just as inefficient and disorganized as it is today.
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	MINISTRY OF LABOUR CIVIL DEMOBILISATION AND RESETTLEMENT DEPARMENT QUEEN ANNE’S CHAMBERS WESTMINSTER S.W.1 22 January 1919 All further communications should be addressed to the Director Quote No. 6441 Sir, I am directed by the Minister of Labour to state that your application for repatriation to Burmah is receiving attention. The decision of the department will be communicated to you at an early date. I am, Sir Your obedient Servant GW Irons

	MINISTRY OF LABOUR Demobilisation and Resettlement Department Repatriation of Colonial Workmen from Abroad As you are doubtless aware, there is a grave dearth of ships on practically all ocean routes. In consequence the number of berths allotted to this department in connection with their repatriation scheme is strictly limited and unless ships on which berths are allotted sail on every occasion with all berths occupied, there is a grave danger that the department may be unable to arrange passages for considerably numbers of workmen and their families. As the circumstances in which berths are allotted to the Department by the Ministry of Shipping do not allow of long notice of sailing to be given, you should make such immediate preparations as are possible so that you may be able to sail on short notice. If you are employed you should not, however, terminate your employment or take any other action on this assumption that you will necessarily be departing immediately. If for any reason you fail to avail yourself of the arrangements made for your return no subsequent passage can be offered to you. An exception will be made only if a medical certificate is produced showing you, or one of your dependants travelling with you is too ill to undertake the journey. If you anticipate that you or any of your dependants will be unable to travel on account of illness you must inform this Department of the fact at once and at the same time forward the necessary medical certificate. You should further note that the regulations of the Ministry of Shipping now require that medical certificates covering each passenger for abroad shall be produced on embarkation. These certificates must be dated not more than seven days before the date of sailing, and so far as possible should be given by the passenger’s usual medical attendant. On receiving official notice of the date and place of sailing you should obtain the necessary medical certificate and should retain it in your possession and produce it on demand when you embark on the ship. Queen Anne’s Chambers Westminster London SW1. 27th January 1919

	MINISTRY OF LABOUR CIVIL DEMOBILISATION AND RESETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT QUEEN ANNE CHAMBERS, S.W.1. 23 APRIL 1919 Quote No. 6441 SIR, I am directed by the Minister of Labour to refer to your application for repatriation to Burma. In this connection I am to inform you that the application has been granted as regards yourself and wife on the following terms and conditions:- (1) Third class rail in the United Kingdom, third class by sea or passage on a one class boat and by rail beyond the port of disembarkation to East Rangoon. (2) you will be required to sail on the date for which arrangements are made for your passage. Not more than seven days notice of that date can be guaranteed. (3) No guarantee can be given that you will sail on any particular date. (4) If for any reason you fail to avail yourself of the arrangements made for your return no subsequent passage can be offered you. An exception will be made if a medical certificate is produced showing that you are, or one of your dependants travelling with you is, too ill to undertake the journey. I am accordingly to advise you to make such preparations as are possible to enable you to leave when a passage is available. I am, SIR Your obedient Servant E.H. Shearer

	MINISTRY OF LABOUR EMPLOYMENT DEPARMENT QUEEN ANNE’S CHAMBERS WESTMINSTER S.W.1 2nd May 1919 Dear Sir, With reference to your letter of 25th April, in which you apply for repatriation for your child, I have to inform you that your request has been noted and arrangements will be made accordingly. Yours faithfully, Carlton Hackney

	MINISTRY OF LABOUR APPOINTMENTS DEPARTMENT OFFICERS’ UNIVERSITY AND TECHNICAL CLASSES PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS REGISTER Overseas Appointments Bureau St. Ermin’s Hotel Westminster S.W.1 10th June 1919 Sir, I am directed to acknowledge your communication dated 6th June 1919 and to request you to be good enough to complete fully the enclosed forms and forward to the above address, when your case will receive attention and every endeavour made to try and find you suitable employment abroad. I am Sir, Your obedient Servant C. Vernon Drew For the Director XIII District.

	MINISTRY OF LABOUR EMPLOYMENT DEPARMENT QUEEN ANNE’S CHAMBERS WESTMINSTER S.W.1 7. 7. 19 Dear Sir, With reference to your application for repatriation to Rangoon it is understood from information obtained from Messrs. Thomas Cook and Sons that you are not prepared to return for overseas for 3 or 6 months. I have, however, to point out the grave difficulties attending the efforts made by this Department to arrange the necessary boat accommodation for persons returning to places such as Rangoon, and I have to request that you will be so good as to inform this Office of the earliest possible date on which you can return overseas. I have to add that in the event of this date being beyond the near future it may not be possible for this Department to arrange your repatriation. Yours faithfully, N. Williams Lt. Col.

	MINISTRY OF LABOUR EMPLOYMENT DEPARMENT QUEEN ANNE’S CHAMBERS WESTMINSTER S.W.1 12. 7. 1919 Sir, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 9.7.19 reference number which is receiving attention I am, SIR Your obedient Servant, T. W. PHILLIPS

	MINISTRY OF SHIPPING TRANSPORT DEPARMENT 13. 9. 1919 I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 8th addressed to a Mr. Abbott. and to acquaint you that there is no trace of your application to Burma having been received in this department. I am, Your obedient Servant Graeme Thomson Director of Transports and Shipping

My father said that Alfred Knight went to Rangoon without being found a permanent job through the government repatriation system and was critical of that decision as it led to a succession of sometimes seasonal jobs, eg. rice milling. The final letter above and the frequent changes of employer recorded in his Burmese employment records suggest that this may well have been the case and the result of Civil Service incompetence. Information provided by Malcolm Knight.

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