265176 Pte. Owen Parkin British Army 8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th May 1945) Killed returning home.
Private Owen Parkin of Lower Broughton, Salford. 8th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Having joined his local Territorial army unit based on Cross Lane, Salford, Owen, a joiner by trade was called up and packed off to France to join the BEF.
The battalion was stationed at Rumigies on the "Gort Line" 7 miles N/E of St Amand on 9th of February 1940. At 0200 hrs on the 11th of May 1940 the 8th Lancashire Fusiliers crossed the start line marching to R.V. on the River Dyle, 2 miles North of Warve. Holding in depth a front of about 1,500 yards and positioned at the last remaining bridge at Bas Warve, with orders to blow it should enemy A.F.V.s attempt to cross.
After days of shelling and attacks from the air, orders were received early morning to blow the last remaining bridge.
At 2230 hrs enemy launched an attack trying to cross the river. Artillery put down defensive fire, light machine guns on a fixed line repulsed the attack and for the next 10 days were in constant battles, holding ground until battalion HQ was shelled and set on fire retreating on the 27th and the following day the Brigade had orders to defend the 'last ditch'; the canal about 1 mile from the coast while the evacuation of Dunkirk was taking place.
After holding the Germans back, repelling repeated attacks, their unit was surrounded and could not move having used up all available ammunition. The decision was made to put their futures in the hands of the German troops.
The following 3 months were spent on a forced march to Stallag XX1D in Posen, Poland. Nothing was heard by his family during this time and it was thought he had been killed in action.
It was September before the family received news that he had been captured and taken P.o.W. The family rejoiced. Although he was a prisoner, he was alive and would be able to return home afterwards.
Correspondence continued for the next 4 years but from July 1944 nothing else was heard from him or any of his fellow prisoners. The Russians were tearing the Germans to pieces and fears were they had been caught up in the fighting
By Christmas, and without news for 6 months, the family were once more fully expecting he had been killed and preparing themselves for the worst. The Allies were making big steps towards Berlin and 5 months later all hope of Owen returning home had faded.
On 8th of May 1945 the Germans surrendered. V.E DAY celebrations were in full flow but Owen's family were also in turmoil. Grandad's youngest brother was 20 when he left for France and would have been 25 now. Not knowing if they would ever get to find out what had happened to him or even where his final resting place was, was torture.
All this changed and celebrations could really begin the following day 9th of May 1945.
A telegram arrived at 11 am stating, he had been found by American troops and would be immediately repatriated as part of operation Exodus.
He was coming home! The party could finally begin. He was to arrive by train in Manchester later that evening.
The whole family gathered in anticipation and tears of joy were everywhere. His girlfriend collapsed on hearing the news after twice fearing the worst.
All family and friends were gathering that evening at Grandad's house. Having waited 5 years they were expecting his arrival any time.
Time passed and by midnight someone went to the Barracks to enquire about his whereabouts. They had nothing to offer.
Over the next 8 hours the numbers dwindled, each promising to return on his arrival.
The waiting continued all through the day. Once more, sickening anxiety filled the stomachs. It was 7 am the following morning when news came. A telegram informed them, on the flight home all 24 long term PoWs along with the air crew had been killed when the plane crashed at Roye Amy.
A tragic accident. 24 families would have endured the 5 years of torture and suffered the same cruel twisted nightmare our family went through.
A family at war. The waiting game.
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