Question: How does Briony know when and especially how Robbie died, because he was obviously left behind in the abandoned factory on the beach and never came "home."
Rocket
8th Jun 2014
Atonement (2007)
Answer: Though not seen in the movie, Corporal Nettle would have taken one of Robbie's dog tags with him and submitted it along with a report of Robbie's final observed disposition and location, upon Nettle's return to England-as military personnel are trained to do. The Red Cross or other wartime aid organization would have recovered Robbie's remains along with his remaining ID tag, and eventually repatriated them.as these aid organizations did for all sides of the conflict. Military and aid organization info on Robbie's disposition, etc. would have been provided to Robbie's family, and kept within wartime casualty records, either of which Briony might gain access.
Answer: Robbie died at Bray Dunes, but he was found dead by Corporal Nettle, so presumably his body was later recovered and either buried at Dunkirk or repatriated to Britain. His family would have been informed of the circumstances of his death by the Ministry of Defence.
Sierra1 ★