246846 Pte. Thomas Frank Henry Strudwick British Army Royal West Kent Regiment from:Crowhurst, Surrey My Father, Thomas Strudwick, was part of the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment which formed part of the British Expeditionary Force to France in 1940.
He was captured by the Germans at Dunkirk while part of the BEF rear guard, he became a prisoner of war and spent this time in Stalag XXA located in Torun Poland.
As so many veterans, Dad did not speak of his captivity. He did however keep a diary while a prisoner which was part of a diary of events during captivity, sketches and his personal thoughts, mainly of home and his wife (my Mum) Dolly. Dad did not let people read this diary, it was private. I understand that if the Germans had discovered it he would have been punished and even shot.
Later in his life, particularly after the death of Lord Louis Mountbatten, he did speak a little of the harsh conditions, the boredom and the silly things they did to combat this e.g. having competitions to see who could grow the longest beard. He said that some people tried to escape but this just made things harder for the rest of them who were punished too.
It was more than six months after the chaos of Dunkirk before my Mum heard via the Red Cross that Dad was a prisoner of war.
He survived. I can't imagine how he managed to come through all that he did but still keep his sense of humour. Truly remarkable.
It's important that younger generations are made aware of the sacrifices made on our and their behalf lest that sacrifice is forgotten.
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