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Information.
Stalag XXB was situated on the outskirts of Marienburg now called Malbork in Poland.
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I am researching my grand father who was captured defending Dunkirk 26 May 1940. He was then marched to Poland and was a P.O.W until 9 May 1945. He was a Gnr with A coy Royal Artillery Army No.1520782 and was a prisoner at camp STALAG XXB in Poland. My grand father's name was Ronald Frank Lancaster. He was welsh and was born 15 Jan '39. He was a short (5ft 4") stocky man with blue eyes and fair hair. I think he may have worked as a blacksmith in nearby farms as a POW.
He didn't talk much about the war but when I asked him how he got a 9" scar on his back, he told me that he and a mate escaped at some point when they had stopped next to a a tree to get some rest. On awakening he tried to rouse his mate but he had been shot. He tried to get away and that was when he was stabbed with a bayonet by the guards.
Ron was discharged on 15 Feb 1946 at the Savoy Hotel in Bournemouth. He sadly passed away from cancer in 1990 just before i passed out from the Navy, something i wished he could have seen.
I would be grateful if any one remembers my grand father or if this jogs anyone's memory would they get in touch.
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The Germans took us prisoner on the 28th May 1940 at Ypres. One of our number was badly wounded and we had to carry him on a door which was the best stretcher we could find as the Germans had no medical equipment with them. We carried him for three miles through no-man's land past the German front line into their HQ where he was given medical attention. The Germans who captured us told us they had received no food for two days, and took our haversack rations, a tin of corned beef and biscuits.
After spending the night on a stone floor at the German HQ, we were taken with some other prisoners and marched for 10 to 20 miles per day through Belgium. The Belgians tried to bring us food and water but the German guards prevented us from receiving it. We had to live on the small ration the Germans provided - watery soup and one small loaf of bread among five men.
We were marched from dawn to dark, given our ration, and then we were locked in stables, pig sties or barns for the night. On reaching Holland we were packed into cattle trucks, 70 men in each truck, for a four-hour journey, then onto barges for the trip to Germany. A Red Cross boat came alongside, and a woman gave us food, and took names and addresses to notify our families back home (I was shown that same piece of paper when I arrived home five years later.) That meal was my last food for three days.
When we reached Mannheim in Germany we were given a small portion of black bread and a bit of sausage. After four hours we were piled into cattle trucks, with about 70 men crammed like sardines in each truck, and the doors bolted. The only daylight we saw for three days was what came through the ventilator. All our personal belongings had been taken from us, watches, rings, soap, towel and shaving kit. We were tired and dirty and worn out through travelling, marching and lack of food.
After a very trying journey we reached Thorn in Poland at about 3 am, all in a very bad condition and run down. We were issued with two blankets each, and told we would get "coffee" at 6.30 am - it turned out to be made with burnt barley and no milk. Our heads were shaved and our photos were taken, and we were given a number disc to keep with us at all times and show on demand.
I was sent on a small work party to labour on roads for about three weeks, then we were billeted on a farm. We worked for six days per week with Sunday off to wash and mend our clothes. We held our own Church service on the Sunday evening to pray for our loved ones at home.
Christmas 1940 I was sent back to the main camp at Marienburg, and I received my first letter from home, and my first Red Cross parcel. Life was pretty dull in the camp, rise at 6.30 am, get washed and clean our quarters, get our "coffee", and then wait until dinner-time dragged round. We considered ourselves lucky if we could get on a working party away from the camp, as civilians would give us a little extra food if and when the guards weren't watching too closely.
On the 25th April 1941 I was moved from the big camp with a party of twelve men to work at a dairy. We were worked for 12 hours per day during the week and 18 hours at the weekend. The German guards searched our huts weekly for wireless sets, maps or anything else that might come in useful for escaping. They would pile everything in the middle of the room, pulling all the straw from our palliasses, but we managed to keep our wireless set well hidden under the floor-boards. It took us most of the night to tidy our quarters after these searches.
THE DEATH MARCH 1945
On the 23rd January 1945 we were told to pack our kits as we were leaving for some unknown destination. I remember the morning very well as it was bitterly cold with about 30° of frost. Our breath froze on the lapels of our coats as we left the town of Marienburg. It was about 3 am and we were marched until dark with only a short break at midday. The only food we had was whatever we had managed to scrounge at the camp and bring with us.
That night we spent in an open field in the snow, with some of the fellows laying their coats on the ground and tried to sleep. In the morning one of the fellows was stiff with cold and frost bitten. We couldn't stir him at first, and had to warm him by rubbing him in the snow, and then running him around the field to get some circulation back into him. It was so bitterly cold that night one of the German guards died.
At daybreak we started marching again, carrying all our belongings with us. I started out with two suit-cases and two blankets. The most trying experience I ever had was the day we marched across an open and unprotected German air-field during a fierce blizzard. It was the middle of this winter, and we had about five miles of open ground to cross. I was wearing army battle-dress, two balaclavas, and had my two blankets wrapped around me. My legs were chapped for a week from the freezing wind.
Another day, during our midday rest after marching all morning, some were having a bite to eat if they had saved any food from the previous day. One of our fellows was a bit slow on getting back in the ranks ready to start marching again, so one of the German guards drew his pistol and shot him. We lost more fellows who died on the way or fell ill and were left behind.
After a time the weather improved, and I began to get fed up with marching with the column, and managed to hang back without being noticed until they were ahead of me. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon so I called at a house and asked for some hot water to make tea. The people there asked me to come in and gave me the best meal I had tasted for a very long while. I continued at my own pace, walking about 15 miles each day, knocking on doors for hot water for tea and a bit of food, staying in whatever shelter I could find for the night.
One night as it was getting dark, I came to a small house, where I asked for hot water to make tea. I was asked to come into the kitchen, where I was given a good meal. They also gave me hot water to wash my feet and legs which by that stage were rather dirty. They also darned my socks and made me stay there for the night. They told me they were evacuees from Hamburg and had lost their home in the bombing. I spent the night on their couch with two blankets and had my first good night's sleep for weeks. These good people also gave me breakfast next morning and I was very sorry to leave them, reluctantly resuming my journey at about ten o'clock.
At the next village I was directed to the school and told to ask for the Burgermeister.
Private Leonard George Price who served in the Northamptonshire Regiment
(Here my father's notes end, with his story incomplete. However, unlike many of his comrades he survived his ordeal was repatriated to England at the end of the war. He met my mother and they married in 1948. In 1951 they emigrated to Australia.)
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My Father TSM Ivor Coles was captured at St Valery and held at Stalag XXb, Marionberg and outstations. I do have some letters and photos and list of men I believe transported with him.
Tony Coles
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My late father, George Bailey, Royal Artillery, 23rd Field Regiment,
was captured at St Valerie, whilst performing the rear guard action. He was a prisoner of war for 5 years 1940 to 1945 at Stalag XXB, He and a few others escaped at the near end of the war, and was helped by the Russian troops,
Peter Bailey
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I'm just starting to research my late fathers war record and so far I have
discovered the following:
His name was Charles (Chas or Charlie?) Edward Fryer and he enlisted on
18/10/39 and was in the 13th Queens Royal Regiment as Pte 6092964.
That he was recorded as being held in camp 20B in 1945 as POW number 7929.
The low number suggests to me that he was captured early in the war and from
what he told me when I was young he was in the BEF and captured falling back to
Dunkirk and this number would appear to bear that out.
I also gained the impression that he did not think he had a bad war and he
always had respect for the way the Germans treated them, especially near the
end of the war when the Germans had nothing but the prisoners still got their
Red Cross parcels.
I also remember that my father hated American TV programs apart from Hogans
Hero's (anyone remember it) this he said was near the truth. I know for a fact
that my father could take a lock apart and cut a key to fit it a skill he
said he gained as a POW.
I am applying to get his war record but this will take up to 9 months and I
presume this will only cover his time as a soldier not a POW, if anyone has
already done this can you let me know what information I will get. I also
understand that the Red Cross in Geneva can supply records of POW's, can anyone
enlighten me as to what this will contain and at what cost as at present I have
been told a price per hour but not how many hours it will take.
The information I have so far was obtained from the Imperial War Museum and
they have also given me a list of books which contain references to camp 20B.
As I only got the list today I have not as yet read any of them and so can
not vouch that they are totally about 20B or only passing references.
The list is as follows with the number at the end being the ISBN code:
(Buying books via these links helps to fund this website)
Finally if anyone wants to contact me as regards my comments above or with
information which may assist me please feel free
Peter Fryer
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Does anyone have any information about my father - John Reginald George 'Reg'. He was a Bombadier in the R H A, 'B' Troop. He was captured at St Valery on 12 June 1940. He spent 5 years as a prisoner of war and was at Stalag xxb. Although I seem to remember him telling me that he was billeted in the village and he worked for a haulage company. Unfortunately he died in 2000 before I began my research. Hope someone can help me. Thanks
Anita Wells
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My grandfather, Fred Wilson (Tug) fought at Dunkirk for the Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was captured and taken to Stallag XX1. At first, his family got the 'missing in action' telegram and rumours were abound that he had got away/been shot while crossing a river, but they later heard that he was a POW. After a couple of escape attempts, he was sent out to work on a farm. He enjoyed this work. He often recalled the horrific walk to Germany towards the end of the war and the time when he stopped to take the boots off a dead German because they were in better shape than his own and being threatened by a German soldier. I would love to hear from anyone who knew of him, he was a rogue with a great sense of humour.
Joanna Fyffe
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My father, Armand Foropon was also a POW at stalag XXB (Marienburg). He is now deceased (in 1995 aged 83). For your information, he wrote a book about the life of prisoners in this stalag and how he escaped. This book, entitled "Stalag Z" was published in France in 1945.
Guy Foropon
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My Uncle Dvr Clifford Parker was POW 13806 . I have a picture of him and 44 other men on stage at what apears to be a christmas show. Clifford is first on left and Sam Kidd the actor believed to be sixth from left middle row.
I would love to identify the rest of the men and be able to get a picture to those who would like one and would love to hear from anyone interested. The address on back of card is Stalag XXB (E.14)
Heather
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My grandfather Phillip Clifton was a prisoner at XXB until the evacuation in Jan/Feb 1945. He was with the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment and was captured at St Valery on 16th May 1940. He was first kept at Stalag XXI but moved shortly after. I have a many letters written to my grandmother during that time (their entire courtship was conducted through wartime letters), photos and also references to him made by his employers in the insurance industry. I know that he quite liked the work the prisoners were made to do (as much as you can when you're not free!) and that his bunk mate was Ted Carney (I don't know which regiment Ted was in) Both men are now deceased but I am interested in hearing from anyone who knows any details of my grandfather.
Susan Butterworth
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Here is a photo of a group of prisoners at stalag xxb. My father is sixth from the left. His name was Rhys Jenkin Williams, born at Nant-y-moel, South Wales in 1904. He was taken prisoner in 1940 ( defence of calais ). The photo was sent as a postcard to my mother, Mary, and I hope that this excuses the poor quality. If any of your contributors have any information about, or knowledge of my father ( who died in 1959 ), I would love to hear from them. Other than that, I hope the photo means something to someone else in it.
Richard Williams
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My mother was neice to George Henry Jones of the Royal Corp of Signals. He
was captured at the fall of Calais and spent the rest of the war at Stalagxxb.It
is believed that he also spent some time in a salt mine sometime during his
detention,(probably in poland)it was from there that my mother thinks he
contracted TB the disease that eventually led to his death several years later.
(He was a regular soldier who also spent time in Eygpt in the 1920s around
about the time of the discovery of tutenkamens tomb.I have seen photographs of
the discovery that have been made into postcards but it unclear if he was
present at the time. )
I have some dog tags from Stalag xxa.no 7565. Other details on the secong tag
include the words KR.GEF LAGER,the second line was THORNE ,third line No
7565. I believe that these must also belong to George and that he must have also been held in Stalag XXA.
My mother has looked through the photos on your valuable site and has spotted
George on a picture provided by Patrica Daniels featuring her father Harry Daniels.
George can be seen third from the left middle row. (click here to see below)
He was in the Royal Corp of Signals and at the time of capture at Calais
would have been approx 39 years old. George lived in Brighton and died of tb in
1956.
I must congratulate you on such a wonderfull site preserving a piece of
history that should never be forgotten.
Mark Shirley
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My Father, Walter Grant is 2nd from the right on the middle row. He was a Private in the RAOC.
I hope other visitors will find their loved ones on the photograph and possibly put names to faces.
James
Update:
This group also shows my own father, Matthew Brodie, sitting fifth from the left in the front row. He was a Staff Saregent in the Gordon Highlanders, captured at St Valery 1940 and spent the rest of the POW but returned home safely.
Alexander Brodie
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A/Sgt Jim Collins of the 5th Bn Gordon Highlanders was taken prisoner 12th June 1940 at St Valery. If anyone has any info on him, I'd be glad to hear from them.
Mac Mcconnell
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THE SECOND WORLD WAR A BRIEF ACCOUNT BY RALPH AMATO I was called up in January 1940 and joined the Cameronian Highlanders. We were taken to Inverness Barracks for 2 months training, then moved to Nairn for 2 months further training, we were billeted in the Town Hall. In May that year, we were sent to France. A friend William Campbell was with me, we got the train from Nairn to Southampton and then sailed to Sherbourg from there we were marched to a camp outside Lemanns in France. At night we were taken into the town by truck to spend the evenings. Approximately 2 weeks later we were on the move again. We were given instructions to move, but not told why! We were told to start marching, the Germans were only a 1/4 of a mile away and ready to attack. three of us went to the N.A.F.F.I. (canteen) to take cigarettes, fill our water cans with whiskey. I filled a glass with 12 eggs and drank it - so the Germans couldn't get the goods! We joined the others in camp, there were Germans everywhere. We kept retreating. In St. Valery we were eventually surrounded and taken prisoners of war. What was left of the 51st Division were taken to farms, here we kept waiting with nothing to eat for a week. They then marched us through France,Germany and Poland to STALAAG XXB . This took about 4 months, during this time we were in either cattle trucks or on foot. Sometimes we were kept in these trucks for 3 to 4 days without being let out. We had nothing to eat and marched about 21 miles every day. Along the way, French women came out of their homes and gave us bread. Since we were all starving we all made a mad rush for the food, this must have frightened the women because they all ran away. At one stage in THORNE in Poland , there was a British Sergeant Major who received preferential treatment. He had his own place to live, potatoes were grown here, which he claimed for himself. Because of my hunger I stole some of these potatoes and was caught. The Sergeant Major reported me to the Germans and I was put in a castle dungeon alone for a week. During this time I was fed a small piece of bread and given water every 3 days, I had to sleep on a stone floor. In the camp at STALAAG XXB, the Germans gave us 1/4 of a pint of very watery soup for lunch and 1 loaf of " black bread" between 5 of us in the evening, we were given Erzatt's coffee in the morning and at night. About one year later, British Red Cross parcels started to arrive, we were given one parcel between two, each parcel contained 2oz of tea, 1/2 lb of sugar, sweets, chocolate and condensed milk. After about another year we started to receive Canadian Red Cross parcels, of which we were given one each per week containing 1lb of butter , 1/2lb of coffee, 1lb of sugar, a large bar of chocolate, sweets, one tin of powdered milk, a large packet of biscuits, 50 cigarettes, etc. Some people barttered cigarettes for food. The parcels were delivered by ship then by lorry to the camps. About 1 year after arriving at the camp the Germans asked for volunteers to do some labouring on farms, digging ditches in factories. This was very cold in the winter. I volunteered to work on the farms, where I stayed in billets, with beds in. The farmers gave us food. I worked on a small farm and was treated very well, I was allowed to eat inside the house at the family table. The British were often given preferential treatment as opposed to the Poles. We were allowed to stay on the farms for only a few months, before being sent somewhere else. This was to ensure that we didn't become too attached to each other. The Germans treated the Jews very badly, shaving their hair off. At this stage we were not aware of the gas chambers, etc., these were not public until later. On one of the farms I was sent to work on, I met up with the Sergeant Major, who 2 years earlier had been the cause of my being imprisoned in the castle dungeon for stealing potatoes. We got into a fight, you could say I had my revenge on him. After 4 years as a POW, the Germans had us on the march again this time because the of invading Russians. There was 9 of us in my group. I had saved supplies of milk and tea, etc. from the Red Cross parcels and some I had got from the German households. Four of the group were not helping, so we left them. We marched for 4 1/2 months across Germany. One day I left my four remaining companions and walked across a field, I saw a German officer coming towards me. He drew out his gun, but instead of shooting me, he handed me the gun. Then I saw a big British tank, with a soldier at the front, I gave him the gun. We were taken to a small village by the British soldiers, where we slept in the Germans houses. The villagers had to sleep in the fields. We remained there for about one week before being flown to Belgium. There we were given money and clothes to go out in. About 2 days later we were flown to England. We were given one months compassionate leave. I was later stationed at a Y.M.C.A in Chelsea until my discharge.
I was given this copy of my Uncle Ralphs' account of his time in the second world war. I would be very grateful if you could show this so that I can get more information from anyone who recognises his name. I havent got that much about him so far but I'm trying to get more by visiting great sites like this
Sam Gillan
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I believe my father, Arthur Arnold, now deceased, was a POW at Stalag XXB from 1940 to 1945. He served with 1st/7th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment [143 Brigade]. He was captured some time after the action on the Ypres-Comines Canal.
I cannot recall his specifically mentioning the camp number but he certainly said that he was at Marienburg. I understand that he spent time away from the main camp on various working parties at "Stolzenburg, Danzig" and also "Elbing."
I have three group photographs from his time there. One of the photos has the following note on the back - "Karthaus working party. Sent to me ("Brum") by Michael Alcock ("Jaber"?). I was at Danzig or Elbing at the time."
My father related that once, when he was assigned to an outside working party, he was approached [? by an Escape Committee] and instructed to remain in the camp the next day. His place was taken by another POW who was attempting an escape. I do not know how successful the attempt was, but my father certainly ended up in trouble with the camp authorities. He said that he had to attend some form of tribunal and two black-coated men turned up [? Gestapo] intending to take him away with them. He believes he was saved by the presiding officer, an old German colonel [? the Commandant] who would not allow the visitors into "his court."
My father felt that the colonel had a son, the same age as my father, who was serving on the Russian front, and therefore had some sympathy with a young soldier.
"This young man has a good Saxon name, he has fought for his country, and is still performing his duty. How can that be faulted?" the colonel is alleged to have said.
By this time my father had a good working knowledge of the German language. He was however told by the soldier "defending" him to say that he spoke no German. This gave them more time to prepare their answers whilst the question was being translated.
At one time he was taken to work at a farm, guarded by an old man with a side arm. My father thought that he probably could have overpowered the man quite easily even if he did know how to use the gun! They were returning from work one day, when the German asked if POWs were allowed to drink alcohol. My father said yes, and was taken in to some form of beer hall in British battledress.
In 1945 he was involved in the forced marches westward. At some stage the group he was with were herded into an open field for the night. He, and one other soldier, chose their moment and slipped out of the field unseen. They continued westwards until they met some American troops.
Naturally I would be delighted to hear from anyone who knew my father or who can recall him being mentioned.
Rod Arnold.
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This is a photo postcard from Gnr. Donald Dykes he is 1st on left, who is a member of my distant family, that I am trying to research. He was from Doncaster.I am trying to find out where and when he was captured.
Keith W. Martin
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My father, Ronald Victor Page, lives with us in North Bay, Ontario. He wrote a book about his wartime experiences, "European Tour, 1939-1945". It was printed in a very limited edition (12 copies; one for each family member). There is a lot more to his story than he has revealed in his book. He has told us many humorous stories and some very sad one's since he finished the book in 1997. We are trying to encourage him to document more of his experiences and have the book re-written with our help.
Ron, a member of the East Riding Yeomanry, was taken prisoner near Watou, Belgium on May 30, 1940. After six weeks of being marched around France and then following a long train ride, he ended up at Stalag XXA, Thorn. About a month later his group was split up and he was transferred to Stalag XXB farm / labour camps, where he stayed for the next few years. On Jan 14, 1945, his group left Deutsch Eylau on foot on a journey through Poland and Germany. The estimated 800 mile march ended near Bitterfeld, Germany, on April 25, 1945, when they met up with US forces. Ron sketched out the general route they took. (See map below.)
Here are two photos taken while my father was a prisoner at Stalag XXB in the Deutsch Eylau area (now Ilawa, Poland) in 1943 and 1944. Deutsch Eylau was actually in East Prussia, not West Prussia as indicated on the photos.
Ron is 5th from the right in the top row in the upper (1943) photo, and is at the far left of top row in the lower (1944) photo. The men in both photos are from a variety of regiments. Some names and locations from the 1944 photo: (spelling may not be correct)
Top row, left to right
R. Page - Hull
Constantine - Aldershot
Ewers - Norfolk
Wilson - Inverness
Barnett - Redcar
Fludder - Deptford
Docherty - Edinburgh
Burns - Edinburgh
Matheson - Stornaway
Coyles - Redcar
Crookes - Sheffield
Middlle row, left to right
- Hunt - Maidstone
- Poore - Southhampton
- Randall - London
- Cormack - Inverness
- Stein - Glasgow
Ron would enjoy hearing from any old comrades who may have taken "the tour' with him. He may be contacted as follows: ron.pageATsympatico.ca. or gffs.gpATsympatico.ca.
Gerry Page
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My father's uncle, Pte Henry Simms, Pioneer Corp, joined up April 1940 & was taken prisoner one month later. Throughout the war he was in Stalag 20b in East Prussia. Up until November 1944 his family received letters regularly.
His mother Mrs Ann Simms then received notification that "Pte. Henry Simms is presumed to have died while evading the enemy on or shortly after April 12th, 1945 as after escaping captivity". An earlier letter from the War Office stated "the area into which he is said to have entered became the Russian occupation zone".
Mrs Simms received several pieces of information regarding Henry. One ex prisoner called at her house expecting to find Pte Simms at home. He told her that many prisoners had lost their lives when a bridge over which they were escaping was blown up. Mrs Simms also received an enquiry from a young Polish girl who had worked at the prison camp. She could give no explanation of his failure to arrive home.
On October 3rd 1946, Mrs Simms received the final communication from the War Office. It stated, "I am directed to inform you that in view of the circumstances under which your son was last seen & of the long lapse of time without any news, the department has, reluctantly & with deep regret, reached the conclusion that hopes of his survival must now be abandoned. It is therefore being officially recorded that Pte Henry Simms is presumed to have died while evading the enemy after escaping captivity".
Lynne Wood
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My father, Sidney Sleight, was a POW from 1940 until 1945, and as far as I know he spent that
time in Stalag XXB. He was with the Royal Artillery and came from Rotherham in
South Yorkshire. A photograph that I have from the camp shows him with the
Main camp Midland Group. Although he didn't talk much about camp life I do
remember him talking about working on a farm, or maybe making bricks, and the
landowner's name sounded like Baroness Von Zerguizer (phoenetic spelling as I never
saw it written down). He always intended to write a book about his
experience, and I was to be his scribe, but sadly he passed away in 1981 aged only 67.
Would be pleased to hear from anyone who has information on my father in
particular, or Stalag XXB in general.
Andrea Chauhan
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Can anyone help me trace fellow members of the regiment who were confined with my father as a POW in 1940-45. My father - Private 6286696 Sydney Grindy of the Buffs
(Royal East Kent Regiment). He served with the 1st, 2nd and 5th Battalion
between 1937-45.
Sidney Grindy I wish I had listened more to my father on the few occasions he spoke about
his experiences in the camps. Much of what I have read on the memories page
(which is excellent) I remember my father speaking about when I was a young
boy. I only wish I had been able to record this information, as many of the
contributors to your excellent memories page have already done.
As a family we are desperate to contact people - of any nationality - who
may have know my father during his time as a POW. Can any one help in some way or offer us some advise.
Susan Grindy and Ian Grindy
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You may find following book of interest as the author spent some
time as Medical Office at XX-B. I have recently read it and recommend it.
Regards
Paul Oliver
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First I would like to say thank you for your web site. It has been very
informative. My grandfather was Guardsman Stanley Sowerby service number
2732752 and he was in the Welsh Guards. He was reported captured on the 28th
May 1940 and sent to Stalag XXB in Poland. From which he was liberated on
the 13th April 1945. If you could add him to your site it would make me and
my family very proud.
Like most of the other writers have said my Grandfather spoke little to the
family of his time as a POW. Except to me. I was unfortunately involved in
the first Gulf War in 1991 during my 13 years in service and was myself more
than a little effected by some of the things I saw. My grandfather sat me
down and helped me more then I can ever tell anyone, we talked for hours
about his and my experiences. This was such a release, it was so good to be
finally able to talk to someone who knew what you where feeling. Although
what I went through was nothing compared to what he endured.
Unfortunately my grandfather passed away a few years ago.
The Welsh Guards have been very helpful to me as I have been doing my family
tree over the last few years and have given me copies of all my Grandfathers
documents. If anyone else is looking for documents on their relations who
where in the Guards regiments they will find that these documents are still
kept by their regiments, not by the Army as a whole as other regiments are.
On his repatriated forms under illnesses whilst a prisoner of war it gives:-
Major Duffies ! Can anyone help me with what this might mean?
Regards
Keith Stuart-Berry
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I have recently become acquainted with a friend's father, Harry Daniels, (Lancs. Fusiliers)
who was a PoW in Stalag XXB Marienburg. With his permission I have enclosed 2 photos plus copies
of letters he sent home during his time as a PoW, these have been compressed,
if anyone would like high res copies I will be pleased to send you a CD Rom of the same
if you provide me with an address to which to send them. The CD will have original
copies as well as A4 size enlargements which I have fixed.
If any one wishes to make contact with Harry who lives near Sandbach in Cheshire,
they may do so through his Daughter,
Patricia Daniels .
Harry Daniels and prisoners of Stalag XXB George Henry Jones of the Royal Corp of Signals is third from the left middle row.
Harry is 3rd from right in the rear row wearing the peaked cap, the board reads; Stalag XXB, Main camp, Midland District Group.
Harry Daniels and fellow prisoners
See photos section below for another photo of Harry.
Vic Chapman.
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My father's uncle Tommy Lack was
I believe inprisoned in Stalag XXB but unfortunately communications ended before
liberation and his fate is unknown. Any information about his fate or
anybody who knew him would be appreciated.
Steve Lack
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I am anxious to obtain any information concerning my father
driver George Biggins of R.A.S.C army No t/134796 he was a P.O.W in Stalag
XXB he was enlisted in the army 02/01/1940 and was captured at St Valery
near Dunkirk. He was attached to 51st Highland Division
David Biggins
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I have just recently been searching for information regarding Stalag XXB. My
father was a POW for most of the war. Our family has very little information
since he never spoke a word of his experiences there.
His name was Ian Lipp. I do have a couple of photo's
from the Stalag and some documents. I also have a painting that was painted
by a fellow POW but I don't know who the artist was. The painting had
apparently had to be smuggled out of Poland in the lining of a suitcase.
Regards
Gordon Lipp
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