223758 Cpl. John Underhill British Army Worcestershire Regiment from:Hickmans Avenue, Old Hill, Staffs My father was John Underhill who served with the Worcestershire Regiment in the 2nd World War.
He was a prisoner of war in Stalag 4B up to just prior to the end of the war. It was only after he died that my sisters and I found a diary with STALAG XX4 imprinted on the front. Inside on 6th of April 1945 it dad had written "issued with 6 days rations consisting of 1 loaf of bread, 2 pats of margarine, pearl barley, sugar and flour. Left Fallingbuttel on the march. Spent night in a barn. On April 9th "ever onward we know not where". The next day he wrote that they had come full circle. On the 12th April he wrote that they were marching for a bridge to get them over the Elbe.
On the 14th of April my Dad and 4 other POW's broke free from the others and hid in the woods for a few days, some were sick along with my Dad who had stomach pains and groin pain and very loose he writes on 15th "Arthur worse and Slim down." On 16th "Arthur better, Slim the same and Bob down."
Then on the 18th April he writes "Landed on our feet, right in, feet under the table. Oh boy a real meal at last." On the page was written a name and address Adolf Stegen Wholenbuttel, Amelinghausen, Luneburg Germany. Dad and his fellow POW's were fed and spent at least one night in the farm eating good meals which he lists. Then he writes of setting off and meeting 11th division, Inns of Court Regiment who got them home.
I would like to hear from anyone who knows who Arthur, Slim or Bob were.
I wrote to the Stegen family and though Adolf himself had died I got to know his daughter over the internet. I wanted to thank her father for his kind treatment to dad and others. I also saw where Dad spent his time there.
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