ABSTRACT
The implementation of the British government policy of mass repatriation was also dependent on Belgian government attitude and conditions prevailing in Belgium. The window of opportunity for mass repatriation was brief and there was a desire to repatriate the bulk of Belgian refugees before the civilian shipping with cabin accommodation for families would be required elsewhere by the end of March 1919. Free repatriation, paid for by the British government was offered between November 1918 and May 1919, by which time the great bulk of Belgian refugees remaining in Great Britain at the Armistice had been repatriated. The main scheme was wound up in January 1920. Smaller-scale ad hoc group repatriations took place thereafter, in a return to the policy before the outbreak of the seaport riots. A broad spectrum of Russian subjects, the vast majority receiving payments from the destitute aliens grant, was initially recommended for repatriation in July 1919.
