This is question asking how people found out about a relative dying during WWII and from what I've seen in movies it shows a soldier turning up at the door to tell the mother or wife. How was this done in the UK? If a ship went down would this be broadcast in a paper or on a newsreel or would this be kept secret in case of spying? I don't think this has been asked before, if so I apologise. Thank you.
As with most countries, by telegram. Typically they would inform the family that the relative was missing, e.g.: http://213squadronassociation.homestead.com/WidgeWight/Telegram.jpg
As noted, a letter (usually from the CO) would follow.
Of course, some of the missing turned up, I believe the Red Cross would get lists of POWs and inform the armed forces, who would then inform the families. This is a poor picture, but you can just make out the message: http://media.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2006/may/nagorski/telegram200-s6-c30.jpg If the person was found to have survived and not in enemy hands the good news would be shared: http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/biopicsprince/summersgill/TELEGRAM3.jpg
In some cases the individual themselves would send a telegram basically saying "I'm still alive!".
Sadly, all too often a telegram was received, confirming the relative as dead.
Of course for those confirmed dead the telegram was rather final : http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/66211000/jpg/_66211180_telegram.jpg
If you search for "ww2 telegram" on google images you will find may scans/pictures of similar telegrams from all over the world.
