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Samuel Slaven, Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Prisoner of war in Stalag 8B, took part in the long march. My Dad often talks about this part of his life, now 87yrs old and quite frail. Does anyone have memories of him and his many adventures?
My father, Thomas Daniels was captured in Crete and spent some time in Lamsdorf 1941. He went on to Marburg (escaped), Wolfsburg (escaped), Gurtchdorf, Setsdorf and Muisburg. I spent many years trying to get him to talk about his memories but he would not say much at all. I would be grateful if anyone can remember him and get in touch.
We are in the process of typing up my father's diary of his time in Stalag VIIIB between June 1940 and 1945. His name was Stanley Douglas Gittings and he was in the 257/65th RA Field Regiment. In the back of his diary is a list of names of people who he seems to have been incarcerated with. If anybody would like me to check the list for their relatives, please e mail me. Although the diary does not mention anything other than their names and addresses at the time.
Like so many my late father - Cyril Brett a private in the Royal West Kent spoke little of his time in Lamsdorf. His PoW number was 902, and he was captured in May 1940 at Dunkirk. He did mention a few things - breaking the thick deposits from the sugar refining vats and unloading sugar beet, making rings from old toothbrushes with amyl acetate, and one day sweeping his way out of the camp, until he was recaptured soon after. As always I didn't ask the questions in time and have not recognised him in any of the photos. I think he destroyed all his memorabilia when my mother died as he didn't want anyone to share those memories. Their best man was called Jim (a Scot, did they share time together at Lamsdorf?) If anyone does know of his time please get in touch. Many thanks
My uncle, Terence Whitney, passed peacefully away in May 2006. Captured (wounded) at Dieppe (a naval gunner), Terry was held in Lamsdorf, leaving when the german guards evacuated as the Russians closed in. Terry (aka Lofty was particularly friendly with one or two of the New Zealanders held there, whilst his best pal was fellow brummie, Bertie Ruffles.
If anyone remembers Terry, please pass this information on. I would also be grateful for any specific recollections of Terry. Thank you.
I would like to hear from anyone who remembers my dad - Flight Sergent Kenneth Richards (nickname Dai -- obviously something to do with the fact that he was Welsh!) He was in the RAF-7th Squadron, he flew a Stirling, and was shot down on 29th June 1942 after a bombing mission to the Submarine pens at St Nazaire. He was in Lamsdorf and the photograph of him on the 40-holer has to be a classic. He has always kept in touch with his old friend Stan Moss an Australian Pilot who went into the church after the war. He died on 25th April 2006. If anyone can remember him then please get in touch. Thank you.
I am trying to trace my godfather Flt Sgt R.E. Wakeford, he was shot down and taken to Lamsdorf in 1943, his war No. 27667 his service No 655346 with 23 squadron based at Wittering.
My father Charles Donald RAMC was a medical officer at Lamsdorf Stalag VIIIB - during his time there he documented outbreaks of louse borne typhus fever - which was the subject of his MD thesis - whilst a pow he was able to receive the British Medical Journal and submit articles to the BMJ (sept 19 1942). He suffered from typhus before being repatriated in 1943. Following the war he became a General Practitioner at Bamber Bridge in Lancashire.
Munro Donald
My dad Frank Johnson [knocker] from Cardiff, was captured in crete by germans, sent to stalag 8b worked in a salt mine in poland. I would love to hear from any one in same camp or the welch regiment. He tried to escape but was shot through foot, and said he was waiting to be transfered to germany, left in train on sidings for 3 days and had head lice as big as 5p. He also faked appendix pain, and was operated on, using a lid from an empty can.
My brother sapper Arthur Marriott was in Stalag VIIIB, he was captured at Dunkirk 1940.He was then in Stalag 334.(or maybe 344 was first as I was only a child at the time)He went on the long march in 1945 and while trying to get some potatoes from the farm where they were spending the night my brother was shot and killed by a German guard. I would like to hear of anything anyone can tell me as I am the only one left.Norma Marriott.
My brother George Mouzer was at lamsdorf & went on the death march to Bavaria, where he was killed in a air raid on 11th April 1945. I would be so pleased to hear from anyone who may remember him, especially Victor Wickendon.
My father was captured when Crete fell and was in Stalag VIIIB. He was a S/Sgt in the RAMC. He was repatriated in late 43/early 44 with an exchange of prisoners. Would like to find any others and the reason father was chosen. Perhaps because he was in the RAMC accompanying the sick.
My father, Alexander Morrison, was at stalag VIIIb from 1940 to 1945. He was with the 51st Highland Division (Seaforth Highlanders) and was captured at St Valery-en-Caux on 12th June 1940. He worked in salt mines.
My father, William Holland, was in the Border Regiment before the start of WWII and was seconded to No.2 Commando, taking part in various raids and then in Operation Chariot, the Raid on St.Nazaire. He was captured after this successful operation, and taken eventually to Stalag VIIIB. I have photographs of him and several others taking part in musical reviews and a Choir, as singing was one of my father's greatest loves. He eventually came home at the end of the war, and lived until 1995. Upon the death of my mother last year, I have discovered a box with photographs showing groups from his time in Stalag VIIIB, and would gladly share these with anyone who is interested. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of names on the backs of these, but there are several cemeteries listed also, so this may be of interest to some people whose relatives sadly did not return.
These attached photo's from the camp which include my father in law Eddie Eccles (105/119 battery of the 31 Field Regiment R.A. ) who was caught at Tobruk on 15th Dec 1941 whilst taking part in the great Battle of Halem Hamza in the Lybyan Desert.Understandably Eddie was reluctant to talk about his experiences so I would love to hear from others who may have knowledge of the battle and times of this Field Regiment during this period in the Lybyan Desert and also at STALAG 8B.
On the uniformed photo above, possibly taken at a works station, Eddie is positioned front row seated 3rd from right. In the gang show photo, below Eddie is positioned is seated on the extreme right
My father, Ernest Belanger, was a private in the fusilier mt- royal regiment. He was taken prisoner during the raid on Dieppe on August 19th 1942. He was a p.o.w. in stalag 8b for about 33 months. Hilaire Belanger
My Father, Archie Broadfoot, was a POW in Stalag 8b for the duration of the war. He was captured I believe on teh way to Dunkirk. He was serviving with the 9th HLI Glasgow highlanders, although he wore a Black Watch uniform? He was forced to labour in teh mines, then he took ill and was given "light" work in a sawmill. As the war came to an end, he and some others went thier own way to try and get home. He tells teh story of eventuallybeing picked up by the Americans somewhere on the Czech border, though he can't remember the unit. If anyone can help with inofrmation reguarding the above people or places it would be apprieciated.
My father in law, Norman Jenner (gunner 888206 in the Royal Artillery) was captured at Dunkirk and spent the rest of the War in Stalag 8b (Stalag 344) near Lamsdorf. Like everyone, he had a pretty rough time there and would never talk about it, so unfortunately I don't have many memories to share. What I do recall from many conversations during which he shared little was that his nickname was "the Bishop" - maybe because he was a committed Christian and / or he was well spoken and older than most of his fellow inmates, being born in 1910. He also said they often had sugar beet to eat, which was not a balanced diet, but filling. He also said that although the Brits had a hard time, it was nothing compared to the Jews, Gypsies and Slavs who were treated as subhuman. He suffered from malnutrition during his stay in Stalag 8B and this brought on blindness which he suffered from the mid fifties until his death in 1993.
Norman Jenner on left
I have two photos of Norman with some of his POW friends taken soon after the War. I would love to know who they are and to make contact if possible. I also have a photo of Norman's nephew which must have been sent to him at the camp as it is stamped "Stalag VIIIB geprüft Nr 35".
Norman Jenner in center
My grandfather, Richard James Lechmere, a driver, from West Sussex, was captured in 1941 and was a prisoner of war until 1945, most of which he spent in this camp. I have in my possession every letter he wrote to my grandmother, from the first letter he sent before his capture, to the telegram saying that he had arrived safely back in the UK. These have been carefully catalogued by my mother and include his medical records, dog tags and red cross parcel contents lists. My Grandad died two years ago. I hope to publish these letters in some form, as they are such an amazing record of years spent in the camp. Sarah Hunt
My father, Pte Gregory Coogan of the 2nd Batt Irish Guards in Stalag V111 B. He is on the right of the photo. The man on the extreme left is a soldier from the Warwickshire regiment and is a survivor of the SS barn massacre, I believe his name is Charlie Daly. I understand that all three men lost a leg.My father was captured and lost a leg trying to evacuate the Dutch Royal family from Holland in 1939. I think he was repatriated in 1944.
s
Greg Coogan
Gregory Coogan is third from left in the back row. Can anyone else recognise themselves?.
I was captured in Boulougne on 23/5/1940. A mine took out my leg at the knee. Two chaps put on a tourniquet and put me on a stretcher, carried me along the road. A section of the Irish guards appeared and offered to escort me to the RAP. As we passed a graveyard, a lot of German troops popped up over the wall and demanded that the boys drop their weapons. They did-and dropped me too! I lay there by the road side and nearly got flattened by a passing Panzer tank. Eventually, two young germans came along who spoke English. They said 'Ha ha Englisher blue blood!' I protested that I was Irish, from Ireland. They said 'Mr.Devalera? we don't want to fight him!' Eventually I ended up in a open shed with other wounded Welsh and Irish. A german doctor offered to inform our next of kin of our status. Then he said 'Who is the worst wounded here?' Apparently it was me. He put me in a German ambulance with some German wounded and took me to Le Toquet, where the French amputated my leg a few days later.2 weeks later I was moved back to the former British hospital at Camier. I was there for a while, and was due to have my stitches out, as I was told by Major Kimble, a Kiwi who operated on me, when we were told we were moving up to Lille. We were moved at night time, but my stitches had to come out. So, in the pitch black, by the side of the road, after midnight, I reminded Capt Carter of the Welsh guards to remind Kimble that the sititches had to come out. And he took them out there and then in the darkness.
We were then detained in Eilghiel in Belgium for some weeks. then we moved to Obermassfeld, part Stalag 9c, where we were registered. then we moved to Badsulza. eventually all the seriously injured were sent to work at a tobacco factory in nordhausen for a considerable time. Upon being being recalled to Stalag 9c, we were told we were to be repatriated. We were dispatched to an old quarry, then put on a train, arriving finally at rouen, france, after three days the SBO came to us on parade and said 'men, I have bad news, repatriation has fallen through.' so were were sent back to the racecourse, previously a British camp.
After some time, the Germans sent us to Stalag 8b, Landsdorf. I was there until November 43, when they started repatriation again. We embarked on a train to Sasslitz on the Baltic, then a boat to Malmo Sweden, then by train to Gothamburg, then a ship back to Leith in Scotland. Then a train Netley in Hampshire.
Eventually everyone went home apart from me and a lad from Leeds, Rennison. The nurse in charge was the Queen Mother's cousin, Lady Margaret Bowes-Lyon. She escorted us to Rowhampton, where eventually I got fitted up with a limb in January 44. I have many group photos from 8c and 8B, as well as photos of sports days and theatre shows.
Back row from right, C Philips, C Clarke, D Ryan, H Chivers, W Mc Niell, W Anders. Front row from right, D Cain, S Cooke, L Forrest, W Hamilton, D Mc Garry. 3 Aussies, 3 Irish, 2 N Zlds, 2 Eng and 2 Scotts.
4th left centre row Jackie Cooke
Back row,7th from left Jackie Cooke. Back row, 9 from left Robbie Anderson. Front row, 7 from left Sean Kenny.
From right back row, Brady 2nd, Welsby 3rd
Back row from left 2nd Welsby, 3rd Brady. Irish Guards.
Wesley & Brady 2nd Battn Irish Guards
All Kiwis
Desmond Kane
3 Cockneys
Fellows, Warwicks, on the right
From TelAviv, captured in Crete, then V111B
Medics 17/21 Hospital
All Cockneys
Work Party
Two Kiwis (Acropolis)
Chaplin on left
We would love to hear from anyone who remembers our father.
Does anyone remember my late father-in-law, Pte.Leonard Henry Taylor of the RASC. He was captured at St .Valery in June 1940 after having made the trek from the Dunkirk area.He eventually reached Lamsdorf after a long walk and barge ride. If anyone rmembers him his widow and I would be interested in talking to them.
My father was in Stalag 8b during WW2 he was captured at Dunkirk. His name was Henry Earnest George Bowsher. In the picture above he is on the end top right.
Dad is end middle row right
Dad is middle row end right arm resting on knee. Dean Gilbey adds that his father, Private Fred Gilbey AAC is on the same row on the far left. Read his story
Dad is top row fifth from right
Malcolm Bowsher
My uncle, Frank Heyes, The Border Regiment, was taken prisoner between 6/10 June 1940 at Fecamp. I have the letters and cards he sent home during his internment and his POW ID tag. He started captivity in Stalag XX1 B and sent a card dated 14 July 1941 from Stalag VIII B. The last card I have is dated 28 June 1944 and he arrived back in the UK 16 May 1945.
A Christmas Card Frank sent from Stalag VIIIb
Kevin Heyes
UPDATE:This Christmas Postcard was drawn by my father Kenneth (Ken) V F Wood in a competition. The J.H. on the base drum is for Major Jimmy Howe who later became the Musical Director of the Scotts Guards. My Father died in 1980 but I have several photographs including the cobblers shop where my father was part of a small team under Arthur Weston making artificial legs.
Tony Wood
My late Grandfather was held in Stalag 8b his name was Alexander McLean known as "Sanny". He was from the 3rd Kings Own Hussars and was taken during the battle for Crete. He came from a small town called Ayr on the West of Scotland I have a few photos of his time at Stalag 8b if you see any one you know please get in touch. All I know is that he escaped from Stalag 8b some years later.
My father Sgt George Gyves (RA HAA) was captured on Crete in June 1941. I know he was in Stalag V11a (Moosburg) during 1942 as we have postcards from him. We also have postcards dated June 29 and September 15 1943 from Stalg V111b (Lamsdorf). He was on the Death March that commenced on January 1945.
This photograph shows my father and some of his fellow prisoners at Stalag 344 on March 11 1944 (He is front row 3rd from right). Unfortunately he was very poorly when repatriated to the UK and died on Oct 25 1946 age 39. If anybody recognises a fellow POW from the photograph or has a related story, I would like to hear from them.
My Grandfather Earnest Albert Glover was held in Stalag 8b. I would welcome any infomation about him.
My father Private Fred Gilbey AAC was at Stalag 8b (Certificate of Service shows) between July 43 and May 45. I know little else other than from our conversions I believe he was taken PoW whilst serving in Sicily. I would appreciate any confirmation or details around this and experiences from anyone who knew my father. I may add that the following photograph already appears above on this page, sent in by Malcolm Bowsher in which his father also appears on the middle row far right. My father is on the same row on the far left.
My father is second from the right on this photograph. The are some familiar faces from other photographs on the web site
My father does not appear on this photograph.
I have been trying to piece together the war years of my father for his Grandchildrens sake. Private Jack Lintott Royal, West Kent Regiment (now deceased.)
He was captured in France before Dunkerque and after a series of transfers (I think road building in Austriawhere I believe he escaped ended up in Stalag 8b.
He didnt talk much about the war and sent his medals back (which we acquired). From the sketchy info received he was the wireless builder and as a watchmaker was apparently kept on the surface. He had very bad arthritis from severe frost bite as he took part in the Lamsdorf death march. My Dad was extremely good at languages and learnt to speak German fluently which I subsequently learnt from him, he also had a command of Polish.
I would be interested to know where he was caught as I think it was in the Defence of Escaut at the Foret de Nieppe around May 15th 1940 ?
I have photos of the camp and area as well as camp money.
I am researching my uncle, Walter Sinclair, 2/2 Field Regiment, Australian Army, captured on Crete and was very,very excited to see his name on the List of Prisoners & that the information that he died on 25th Jan 1945 correlates with my research.This is the first mention of him that I have found in over 12 months of searching on the net!! However, his German POW cards show that he was transferred to Stalag V111B TESCHEN on 11.1.44 from Stalag 344 (V111B) Lamsdorf where he had been since 14.4.43, so he should have been on the Teschen march not Lamsdorf! My mother can remember being told that he had severely frostbitten feet & couldn't march so was shot. I would appreciate any information that you can give me, as I am trying to trace his grave & the route taken from these 2 camps was entirely different. I have a postcard from 7A Moosburg & 2 from 8B Lamsdorf. Thanks, Cheryl Smith Townsville, Australia.
Update: The change of the designation V111B has tricked many family researchers, including myself. V111B (Lamsdorf) became 344 towards the end of 1943. It was an extremely large camp & was set up in 1939 using existing WW1 camp constructions. Initially it was a transit camp which then became permanent. Early in 1943, V111B (Britenlager) included 318/V111F Lamsdorf (200,000 Soviet POWs of whom around 40,000 died) & V111D Teschen, making it one of the largest POW complexes. Because of the large influx of POWs after the Normandy landings, the complex was reorganised & separated as 344 Lamsdorf & V111B Teschen. Teschen (now Cieszyn) is about 120km south from Lamsdorf (now Lambinowice) in Poland. By February 1944 V111B Teschen was the administrative base for many of the Silesian Arbeitskommandos (Work Camps), mainly mining, including 53 which contained 11,500 British POWs.(The designation 'British' also applied to all subjects of the British Empire eg Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, etc.) Most of these work camps were many kilometres from the main camp & the POWs lived, as well as worked, there. (Some in deplorable conditions) From the middle of January 1945, the POWs in the work camps were force-marched through Czechoslovakia away from the Russian advance. The last group left the main camp at V111B Teschen on about 20th Jan 1945. My uncle, Walter Sinclair,VX613,2/2nd Field Reg,AIF, POW 92192, died on that march & has no known grave. He was transferred to Teschen,11/01/44 from 344 Lamsdorf. He wrote of the change from V111B to 344 on a postcard dated 26/12/43. He arrived V111B Lamsdorf,14/4/43,from V11A Mooseburg,21/08/41,following his capture on Crete,31/05/41.
My father, Sgt. John [ Jack ] Staley of the 39/45 Battery, 23rd Field Regt Royal Atillery, was captured June 6th or 10th 1940 at St. Velery. He ended up in Stalag 8b and was repatriated after the death march 24/5/1945. He was given the Military Order of the Firing Squad a USA award. If anyone can shed a little light, I would be apreciated.
Photo of dad sitting centre row is attached. The photo was take at salt mines in Ober Silasia.
This is my grandfather Corporal Percy "Pat" Preston from the 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment, taken at the PoW camp Stalag 8B. The photograph was taken around 1940 when he was first captured (at Dunkirk) and taken to Stalag 8B in Lamsdorf. Percy, better known as Pat, is in the front row, centre.
Percy survived the camps and was repatriated back to the United Kingdom in 1943. He passed away in 1966 in Kelling Army Hospital in Norfolk. He lived all his life in Bungay, Suffolk, married in 1945 and had four children.
Debra Watkins
My grandfather, Bombardier William John Stainthorpe of the Royal Artillery is middle back row. I do not know the others. He was captured at the Battle of Sidi Rezegh. For his actions in that battle, he received the Military Medal.
Steve Madden
Leonard Morgan Hopkins and is ex Welsh Fusiliers. Len was captured in 1940 and was imprisoned in this camp until 1944. He also involved in the infamous death march across Poland. Len is still alive and well and living in Flintshire.
My Stepfather, Corporal Alexander (Sandy) Stephen (now deceased), Royal Signals, 51st Highland Division, was captured at St.Valery and incarcerated in Stalag 8b. Prior to the surrender, he carried out a feat of bravery (unknown) and was awarded the Military Medal (post war I believe). I also believe that it was he, who sent the notification of surrender decision by the G.O.C., back to London before he was captured.
Although he was a Signals Corporal, he was in fact a Master Baker and Confectioner. Having spent 26 years on Her Majesty's Service myself, I am not surprised! I have seen pictures of him playing the guitar in the Camp band. I believe that he was later sent to Bavaria and was put to work in a bakery.
Rick Stephen
My father Alf W Pollard was a soldier in the 51 Highland Div, he was with the British Expeditionary Force and was captured in Belgium marched to Lamsdorf POW camp 8b his POW no was 11159 he was repatriated by the Americans at the wars end. Geoff Pollard
My dad Sargent William Adams His number was 96084 was in Stalag 8b. (I have a Christmas postcard sent to my mother dated 03-1-42 it was drawn Thomas Burke Stalag 20a) He later went to Stalag 383. He was captured in Crete. He was a commando because he was tall people called him "Tiny". He lived in Lowestoft Sally Wilson
Both my Grandad and his nephew were British POWs in Stalag 344. The nephew, Leonard Hurrell, worked in the administrative offices of the camp. My Grandad, Bombadier/Corporal Charles Thomas Wheatley (Royal Artillery) was handed over to the Germans by the Italians when he was transferred from Campo 59 in Servigliano, Italy to Stalag 344. Working in the offices allowed Leonard to read the lists of new prisoners. When he saw that his uncle, Charles was among the new prisoners in the camp, he requested that my Grandad was moved to his hut. Grandad arrived in the camp in late 1943. Like many, my Grandad did not speak about the war and, regrettably, he is no longer with us. However, Leonard is still very lucid about the events of this period.
Currently, I am working on a personal project, a gift for my Dad. My Grandad kept a picture postcard of my Dad's cristening. On the back, he detailed (as much as he could) the locations he was in during his war years (Dunkerque, Africa and the Middle East) and some dates. I have ordered a copy of the 1942 world map. I plan to flag the cities my Grandad listed and hope to provide information on the life in the camp and the forced march through Germany. If you feel you can provide any assistance, I would greatly appreciate it.
My father, John McLean MacFadyen, RAF, from Greenock in Scotland, was a prisoner at Stalag VIIIB, having been captured on Crete. I should be interested in hearing from anyone who knew him.
I believe my father, James Victor Allen, from the Oxford and Bucks was a prisoner in Stalg 8B he was reported to have been in the march from Poland to Germany. My father died in 1967, aged 44. I know almost nothing about his life during the war, but would love to know more about it. Is there any one who remembers him? James Victor Allen
My grandfather was a prisoner at Stalag 8b, I have just recieved his diary that covers some of his time there, also 3 group photos that he posted home whilst there. From a piece of paper in his diary I am assuming he was a member of the 189th Fd Amb RAMC, and I would be really grateful if anyone could give me any information on this. Also one of the photos has the following names and numbers on the back, does it ring any bells for someone, I would be happy to send a copy of the pictures to anyone who may be related. Harold Geo Tyler 22271 of Hereford and Charles E Scovell 22153 of Southampton. Thankyou. Y Gould
My uncle George Arthur Jones (1908-1983) from Liverpool spent three and half years at Stalag 8b during WWII. I don't know anymore but guess he was with the King's Liverpool Regiment. He's the chap with the pipe in the front row.
My late Uncle Cpl Ted Sinnott, born 1921, Widnes, Cheshire (then Lancashire) taken pow at raid on St Nazaire, France 28/3/1942. Eventually transferred to Lamsdorf 8b / 344 around June 1942 before transfer to Stalag XXA Thorun, Poland (1944) and eventually Stalag 357 Fallingbostel, Germany and liberation April 1945. He served with South Lancs Regt. before joining No 2 Commando in late 1940 after surviving Dunkirk. It would be great if anyone reading this knew of my uncle/or about life in this camp, and could contact me via e-mail. Regards, John Sinnott
My Dad, Claude Wyatt-Mair wrote a memoir of his time between 39 and 45. He was captured in Tobruk and ended up in Stalag 8c and 8b lamsdorp 344. I am trying to locate anyone who knew him. Thanks David Wyatt-Mair
My uncle was captured in Crete during the 2nd world war and held in Stalag 8b. Fortunately he was one of the better treated apparently as he acted as the interpreter between the Germans and the other prisoners. He was held until the end of the war and upon his release it took my parents and my aunty (his wife) almost 2 years to get his weight back up to what it should be. His name was John Singleton but we always knew him as Uncle Jack. nfortunately he passed away in 1996 and his wife passed within 4 weeks of him passing. I hope this is useful info for you. Thank you, Grahame Singleton
My father was captured in crete and I wish to know more about what it must have been like to be in a POW camp like stalag 8b. My father was Horace Kettle, Waitara, New Zealand. I have a note book that he wrote poems and drew pictures in. Onr page has a rugby team written in it, names are
Phyllis Trelease
- C. Cockerill nz
- H wigley nz
- D Mc daonald nz
- S had field nz
- P van Der Watt nz
- C Spanhake nz
- T Stewart nz
- B fisher nz
- D Hawkins nz
- R Hill Wales
- A Ross Scotland
- F Mariner Eng
- G Biddlecombe Eng
- D Muir scotland
- D Scott nz
- H Cousins Eng
- F Appleton Eng
- B robins Eng
- E townsend Eng
- E Lewis Eng
- J Matthews eng
- E Evans wales
- A Hutchison eng
- H Small Eng
- T Wikes Eng
- H mellor Eng
- H smith eng
- J Collerton eng
- E Manwaring eng
- S Baker eng
- A Hewitt nz
- G Grigor scotland
This is a copy of a paybook of my late Father's John Lewis Kerr of New Zealand. Written in pencil on the back 2 pages are the brief details of his capture in 1942 to 1945 in a POW camp. I am expecting more copies of letters he wrote from 1942-1945 to arrive from Australia soon. These letters will give us more of an insight into our Father and what he experienced during those years. Another who seldom spoke of his wartime trauma.
Jan Kerr-Chaplin
My dad who from Leeds, West Yorkshire,(Pte. Leonard Woodhead 2nd Bn "King's Own Royal Regiment) was captured at Dunkirk during holding off the advancing Germans,he endured the "Death March to stalag V111B. He spent nearly 4 years in captivity in Lamsdorf,after an accident, in the forced labour coal mines, he lost his right hand,and had mutipul injuries to his head arms and legs,he met up with a fellow yorkshireman Richard Pape,he was a captured RAF navigator,and after the war an author of a books on his wartime experencies.My dad was repatriated in November 1943,but before he left stalag V11b Richard Pape asked my dad if he would smuggle a message home to Ernest Osborn editor of the "Yorkshire Post Newspapers" He got this message through in a ring made out of a toothbrush. My dad describes his feelings in the book "Boldness Be My Friend", written by Richard Pape, when he was "stripped and searched" by the German guards before he was allowed to embark on his way home.My Dad is known as "wingy Woodhead in the book. Risking his life Dad got the message to Ernest Osborn,and in return was presented a "world atlas" from the editor of the yorkshire post newspapers,which I still have today,it has a signed and dated label in the front. Sadly my dad died in 1980,2 months after my mother,I have one or two photos of him in Stalag v111b plus pow letters etc,if anyone has any more knowledge of him during his captivity I would be most interested in it.
I am trying to find this information on behalf of one of my work colleagues whose father, Ted Beetlwstone, was captured (possibly during Dunkirk) and detained at Stalag VIII b some time before 1942 during WW2. Fred only has sketchy memories about his fathers 'war' and would just like to peice together what he can. During his fathers time at Stalag he participated in a Sports Meeting amongst the P.O.W's in which he won two Shields, one for the Shot-put and one for the Discus. I have enclosed photographs of both shields which as much as my colleague could tell me are made from wood from one of the beds in Stalag VIII b. The metalwork is nailed in place and the detail is hand painted on. As you can see the Sports meeting was held on the First of June 1942 and was the second such meeting to be held there. The text that states 'BK. 37B' I would assume refers to the with his fellow bearer Charlie Reed sometime before June 1942. Ted was apparently returned to England as part of a prisoner exchange with the Germans. I don't know if prisoner transfers were very common (or if they actually happened) but could possibly of been because of his duties as part of the medical team and therefore being classed as a non-combatant?
Fred would like to know any information regarding the history of the shields and the sports meeting.
If you can shed any light on this moment in history it would be very much appreciated.
Any information sent to myself will be passed on to Fred Beetlestone. Kind Regards
Private David Tsubota, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, participated in the disastrous Dieppe Raid with a company of his regiment,110 members, of which only 44 men returned. Tsubota was taken prisoner and was sent to Stalag 8b. He was a POW until liberated by Allied troops in 1945. His father, James Jitsuei Tsubota, served in the Canadian Army in WW I and was at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He also served in WW II as a Canadian Army Warrant Officer at the School of Oriental and African Studies where he was a Japanese language instructor for the British Army.
My source of information is a book by Roy Ito, We Went to War, The Story of Japanese Canadians who served During the First and Second World Wars; Canada's Wings Inc., Stittsville, Ontario, Canada, 1984.
Good luck with your project, Dennis McLaughlin
My father Robet Cossar held for a short time at Stalag 4b I have his German dog tags of Stalag 4B with his german number .He was passing thu to Lansdorf Stalag VIIIB Next to Auchwitz wher he spent most of his captivity years, he was used as forced labour at the synthetic rubber and petrol plant by IK Farben. The plants were bombed by the Americans during daylight raids by B17bombers. But the missed and hit the Camp instead, a lot of alied prisoners were killed. (We now call this friendly fire !!) He remembers seeing his first jet plane a german fighter bomber, they thought it was powered by compressed air. They knew what was going on, every night a was a vist from a reader who read out the BBC news which was received on a clandesdine radio receiver. I saw my dad today and he still remembers it all.
Dave Cossar
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