A FRIEND OF MINE, having received a reminder from the
War Office that he had not notified it of his/address for 1956, sent the required information and added that he had changed his name on succeeding to his father's peerage. The following correspondence resulted : THE WAR OFFICE,
STANMORE, SIR, MIDDLESEX.
I am directed to refer to your letter dated 16th April, 1956, and to say that in absence of Crown Office con- firmation of your succession to title, it is not possible to amend your military records. You will therefore continue to he described in such records as 'Lieutenant John Edward . . . X.' I am to say that the Crown Office require from you in the first instance a formal claim in writing, upon receipt of which every assistance will be given by that office to clear the matter.
In order that military records may be adjusted, I am to request that you will communicate with the Crown Office at your earliest convenience.
I am, Sir, DEAR MAJOR Y, (I hope I have got your name right : both the signature and the rubber stamp are hard to decipher.) Many thanks for your entertaining letter of June 29th. If you consider me an impostor, or if you have doubts about my legitimacy, you are naturally taking the wise course in refusing to enter me in your records under my new name.
For my own part, I am afraid that with other things to do cannot undertake to establish something which is automatic and inescapable. • So long as your letters reach me all right, there is no need for, either of us to worry.
Withenst wishes, and three cheers for bureaucracy, Yours sincerely, This was two months ago; and there the matter rests.
* * *
H. R. , Major, Director of Personal Administration.
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