213575 Cpl. Edwin Thomas George "Ted" Moore British Army 100th Fld Coy. Royal Engineers from:Newport Gwent, South Wales My husband's father Edwin Thomas George Moore was at Stalag V111B Lamsdorf until the end of the War. (Probably known as Ted Moore) Ted Moore was born in 1900 and also served in the 1st World War. He was a bit of a rough diamond but spoke of his memories in the Army and the Prison Camp always making a joke of everything. He was liked by all and down the pub made many friends of young lads who loved his stories. So much so that when Ted died in the 1970's there were dozens of these lads at his funeral.
At the POW Camp groups of inmates were sent out on work-parties. Trucks would take them to farms etc. I have no idea where this particular farm was located but the Farmer's name sounds like Teel or Teal. So somewhere in the Camp vicinity was a German family with the surname sounding like Teel/Teal. The Farmer had a very young son and asked my Father in law to teach him English. One day the Teel family had visitors and they were singing round a piano. The Farmer stopped the songs sung in German and proudly announced that their son would entertain all their guests as he knew many songs in English. The lad did so with great gusto as his English was indeed very good. The guests also could speak English but Farmer Teal could not! There was uproar because the guests were profoundly shocked to hear a young lad singing the usual troop songs including the many "swear" words. Corporal Ted Moore despite this remained good friends with Farmer Teel.
Anyone who may remember him will know he had a Welsh accent as he was born Newport Gwent. South Wales.
In the same camp was another Newport man Albert Vittle. Albert Vittle kept escaping and getting caught. He used to say "See you in the morning Ted". My father in law said "Why do you do it Albert, you know they will catch you" The reply was "Anything to annoy the b****rs Ted”.
Ted Moore was in the Royal Monmouthshires, Royal Engineers and his number was 12591. He was a Corporal. His Life was quite sad, actually, although he would not agree with me. He left school at the age of 12.
He was then in the 1914-1918 War followed by the the Second World War.
He was riddled with TB. On returning to his work the Directors called him into their office and said "Ted you are not well enough to do your job so we have found you a nice light job to do, from tomorrow you are in charge of cleaning the lavatories"! Because he was a man of his time he thanked them profusely. It makes me so angry and tearful to remember Our Glorious Wonderful Boys returning from the War to "a new world" they were told. A Land for Heroes. Well, Old Ted found the "new world" no better than the old although he never complained.
In the meantime if anyone remembers Ted Moore, please e-mail me. This site is a wonderful tribute to all the men who withstood so many hardships but in their twilight years recalled the camaraderie and "funny" incidents with no bitterness. Thank you.
|