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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

Stalag 20A (312) Prisoner of War Camp




       Stalag XXA (also called 357 in the early part of the war) was situated at Torun (Thorn) in Poland, where there were a number of defensive forts. The camp began begins in late 1939 with Polish POWs being held in Forts 9 and 10 which they converted to prisons.

    The Headquarters of the camp was in Fort 17, until mid 1940, when a two-storey house opposite Fort 13, now in Okolna Street, was taken over. It was known as "Komendantury Stalag 20A".

    Other forts were converted to hold the prisoners, Fort 11 (XI) named after Stefana Batorego, Fort 12 (XII) named after Wladyslawa Jagielty, Fort 13 (XIII) named after Karola Kniaziewicza held British POWs, Fort 14 (XIV) the hospital named after Jozefa Dwernickiego, Fort 15 (XV) named after Jaroslwaw Dabrowskiego held French POWs, Fort 16 (XVI) named Kolejowy or Railway, and Fort 17 (XVII) named after Michala Zymierskiego were situated on the left bank of the River Vistula and were collectively known as Stalag 312. During the second half of 1941 Stalag 20A was enlarged. New barracks were built in the direction of Glinki to accommodate Russian POWs this new complex was known as Stalag 312/XXC.

    Over 60,000 inmates passed through the Stalag 20A complex over a five year period, Poles, French, Belgians, British, Yugoslavs, Russians, Norwegians, Italians and Americans.

    Those who met their deaths in Stalag XXA were buried in the garrison military cemetery except Russian POWs who were buried in a mass grave in the forest near Stalag 312, between Glinki and Cierpice. About 14,000 men are buried there.

    The Thorn Complex was a sub-camp of the concentration camp in Sztutowic. It contained POW camps for non-commissioned officers and other ranks. The 357 designation was later transferred to Oerbke near Fallingbostel

    The prisoners were liberated by the Americans in 1945.

     

    June 1940 Prisoners

    June 1940 Escape

    July 1940 Escape

    21st Jul 1940 61 Squadron Hampden lost

    19th Jun 1941 Unsatisfactory Conditions

    22nd Jul 1941 Parcels

    Mar 1943 Information

    Aug 1943 Escape

    Jan 1945 News

     Items found in the area.


    If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.



    Those known to have been held in or employed at

    Stalag 20A (312) Prisoner of War Camp

    during the Second World War 1939-1945.

    The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

    Records from Stalag 20A (312) Prisoner of War Camp other sources.


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    Want to know more about Stalag 20A (312) Prisoner of War Camp?


    There are:1281 items tagged Stalag 20A (312) Prisoner of War Camp available in our Library

      These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.


    Sgt. James Blake Bartlett 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My late father was a prisoner in Stalag 383. His name was Sgt James Blake Bartlett of the KRRC 1 QVR's. He was captured at Calais 23.5.1940 and according to his army record first went to Stalag XXA in 1940 then to XXB in 1941 and to Stalag 111C which was renamed Stalag 383 in November 1942 where he stayed until release on the 11.5.1945.

    I can still remember his home coming even to this day, our mum woke us up to say this is your Dad, as I was only 3 when he went away and now I was 8, so did not remember him all that much. He passed away in 1992 and never spoke much about his time as a POW.

    Geoff Bartlett



    Pte. Joseph Gribben Princess Louise Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.27th Mar 1942)

    My great uncle Joe Gribben served with Princess Louise Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and was captured at St Valery-en-caux on 12 June 1940 and was a prisoner of war at Stalag 20A at Torun. He was later transferred to BAB20 a work camp in Upper Silesia, where sadly he was shot by a German guard on 27 March 1942. He was 21.

    My mother wrote to The Legion magazine a number of years ago requesting information. She received a letter from Mr. C. Earl who was a medical orderly at the camp and who, along with another man J. Watson, identified Joe's body when it was brought into the guardroom. He said that Joe was part of a working party formed at Fort 11 near Torun. There were 200 men in the party and their job was to build huts, lay pipes, clear snow etc. Mr Earl describes that the working party then moved to Reigersfield near Old Cossel in Upper Silesia. The working party was known as BAB 20/3COY. Here they worked on a chemical factory building wooden huts, laying pipes and trenches etc. Mr Cossel said, "Your uncle was working there when he was shot by a German guard. I think he had an argument with them about the fag." There are various post cards of a funeral at BAB20 for a man shot for smoking a fag.

    In 2005 my mother also contacted Alison Robertson from an advert in the local paper. Alison was researching a number of deaths in prison camps. She gave us a copy of the Translation of the Deposition of W.J. Schmitz (used in the war crimes investigation). This states that Joe refused to push a heavily laden wheelbarrow of earth. "Gerfreitter Sonntag lifted the wheelbarrow himself and pushed it a bit further in order to show the prisoner it was not too heavy. He ordered Gribben now to push the barrow. But Gribben unloaded a portion of the land on the ground." The sentry Sonntag continued to order my great uncle to move the barrow and threatened use of his firearm. Some of the surrounding POWs were said to have shouted at him and Sonntag took his rifle to show he meant his threat. "As Gribben made no attempts of pushing his wheelbarrow and as other POWs took up a threatening attitude, Sonntag fired." A civilian labourer apparently confirmed this version. The military court at the time granted Sonntag an acquittal as he had "acted in accordance with the instructions issued by the Kommander i/c POWs, Major General Von Osterrich. My family were told that Sonntag was not seen in the camp again and they believed he was sent to the Eastern Front.

    Today I read the diaries of Private William Law. On the 27th March there is an entry about a shooting of a POW for refusing to push a wheel barrow. The date fits (if this was Pte Law's diary for 1942) and the reason fits the official German version. I now wonder if it was another soldier who was shot in an argument over a cigarette and that Joe's shooting was indeed over refusing to push the wheelbarrow. There are photos of three funerals at BAB20 on the Pegasus website.

    I would very much like to get in touch with Paul Law (William's son who submitted the dairies).  

    Alison Shorrock



    Sgt. Charles Edward Turner East Yorkshire Yeomanry 5th Dragoon Guards

    My father, Charles Turner was a Tank Commander from the East Yorkshire Regiment. he was captured 23 May 1940 in St Omer, and sent to Stalag XX/A 6 June 1940 prisoner number 776 in Oflag III/C. He was transferred to Stalag XX/B on 10 October 1941. He was transferred from XX/A on 16 September 1942 and held in Oflag III/C we have no records of his of his release etc, he attested into the TA in 1947 In Kingston upon Hull.

    My Father would never talk about his time in the camps as he thought it was better to look to the future. We have a photo of him in the camp, but we don't know which one is him. My father died in May 1973 and I am trying to compose a life book for my children before I die. I would like any help of advice from anyone and will pass on any info I have.

    James Turner



    Stephen Featherstone

    My uncle, Stephen Featherstone, was a POW at Stalag XXA in the early 1940s and then in Stalag 383 around 1943. I don't know what regiment he was in but he was captured after only a few weeks in the army and was a POW for the duration of WW2. He never talked about his wartime experiences but there are dozens of photos which were sent home during this period.
    StalagXXA

    StalagXXA

    StalaXXA

    StalagXXA

    Derek, Steve, Bobbie in Stalag XXA

    Derek, Steve & Bobbie in Stalag XXa

    Stalag XXA 1941

    Stalag XXA 1941

    Stalag 383

    Stalag 383

    Stalag 383, 15th of Nov 1943

    Stalag 383 15th of Nov 1943

    Stalag 383

    Stalag 383

    Stalag 383

    After the war he married the girl who waited for him throughout, had three children and died at the great age of 88 in 2002. Born in Hunwick, Co Durham, in 1913, he was a wonderful uncle, father and grandfather. After the war he worked until retirement as a railway signalman in the Stockton on Tees area.

    Sue Nicholson



    Private Charles John McCarthy

    My uncle, Pte Charles John McCarthy was a POW in Stalag XXA and Stalag 8B/344 between 1941 and 1945. Apparently he escaped three times. His service number was VX8916. He was AWOL more than 20 times before and after he was a POW. It is a fantastic story but he died not long after the war with no wife or children. It is sad he did not have his own family.

    Pete Kennedy



    Ted Hitchens

    My father, Ken Wall, was very involved with the concert parties at Stalag XXa. There are a couple of pictures that we found on this site of Dad. He also used to do a double act with his good mate Ted Hitchens under either Hitchens and Wall or Wall and Hitchens.

    Phil Wall



    Ken Wall

    My father, Ken Wall, was very involved with the concert parties at Stalag XXa. There are a couple of pictures that we found on this site of Dad. He also used to do a double act with his good mate Ted Hitchens under either Hitchens and Wall or Wall and Hitchens.

    Phil Wall



    Harry Dalby 1st Battalion The Black Watch, 51st Highland Division

    My late grandfather Harry Dalby was a POW in Stalag XXA. I have had his prisoner of war records translated and they give 2.K Batlingen, Batlingen 20 and Reigersfeld as work camps.

    My grandfather, while in one of the camps, had what can only be described as a large hankie or part of a sheet with his Battalion's badge and two soldiers in highland dress on either side of it. This was drawn in ink we were told. It also has HE YDEBRECK written on the top of it which I believe is Batlingen. We have no idea who made this for him so if anyone has any idea or info I would be very greatful.

    He was in the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, 51st Highland Division captured St.Valery 16/6/40.

    Michele



    William Duncan McArthur Black Watch 51st Highland Division

    My father William Duncan McArthur was a prisoner in Stalag XXA. I have his dog tags and his number is 15369. He came from Dundee and he was a Dundee weaver.

    He was a piper in the Black Watch which was part of the 51st Highland Division. He was captured at St Valery during the retreat to Dunkirk as his division was fighting a rearguard action to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk. He was Lord Ogilvy's Batman. He died when I was five and thus I have only dim memories of him now that I am 47 and have a family of my own.

    I have heard several stories of him. He was once working as a farm hand when he saw a Nazi Sergeant beating a Jewish woman with his rifle butt. My father became enraged and chased the Sergeant with a pitchfork with the intent of killing him. He was brought before the authorities of the camp to be executed but he explained that he could not understand the German language and what the Sergeant was saying and so his life was spared. This excuse saved his life.

    On another occasion whilst in the camp, 17 camp inmates were desperate to contact their families at home to inform them that they were not dead. They all wrote their names and addresses on any material they could find such as cardboard, paper, bark or leaves. They did not know how to get the addresses to the outside world so my father stuffed all of the bits of paper and bark into his boot and threw it over the camp fence. A postman found the boot and delivered it to the French Underground and it was finally delivered to my mother who notified the families of their loved one's presence in the camp.

    He remained in the camp for the whole war. Once he was home from the war, he weighed only 6 stone. His legs were so badly ulcerated that the medical authorities wanted to amputate both legs. My mother forbade this and over a long period of time, tended him and saved his legs.

    At his funeral in Sydney, Australia in 1965, a man came to the funeral whom none of our family and friends recognised. Once he was approached he stated that "Bill McArthur saved my life and so I have come to pay my respects".

    If anyone knew of my father, especially in WW2 please contact me.

    Alexander McArthur



    William Duncan McArthur Black Watch 51st Highland Division

    My father William Duncan McArthur was a prisoner in Stalag XXA. I have his dog tags and his number is 15369. He came from Dundee and he was a Dundee weaver.

    He was a piper in the Black Watch which was part of the 51st Highland Division. He was captured at St Valery during the retreat to Dunkirk as his division was fighting a rearguard action to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk. He was Lord Ogilvy's Batman. He died when I was five and thus I have only dim memories of him now that I am 47 and have a family of my own.

    I have heard several stories of him. He was once working as a farm hand when he saw a Nazi Sergeant beating a Jewish woman with his rifle butt. My father became enraged and chased the Sergeant with a pitchfork with the intent of killing him. He was brought before the authorities of the camp to be executed but he explained that he could not understand the German language and what the Sergeant was saying and so his life was spared. This excuse saved his life.

    On another occasion whilst in the camp, 17 camp inmates were desperate to contact their families at home to inform them that they were not dead. They all wrote their names and addresses on any material they could find such as cardboard, paper, bark or leaves. They did not know how to get the addresses to the outside world so my father stuffed all of the bits of paper and bark into his boot and threw it over the camp fence. A postman found the boot and delivered it to the French Underground and it was finally delivered to my mother who notified the families of their loved one's presence in the camp.

    He remained in the camp for the whole war. Once he was home from the war, he weighed only 6 stone. His legs were so badly ulcerated that the medical authorities wanted to amputate both legs. My mother forbade this and over a long period of time, tended him and saved his legs.

    At his funeral in Sydney, Australia in 1965, a man came to the funeral whom none of our family and friends recognised. Once he was approached he stated that "Bill McArthur saved my life and so I have come to pay my respects".

    If anyone knew of my father, especially in WW2 please contact me.

    Alexander McArthur



    Albert William Mead Royal Artillery

    My granddad, Bill Mead, is a veteran of WW2 and I am currently trying to find anyone who remembers him or has any photos that may be of interest to him. He was a member of the Royal Artillery, is from Birmingham and was in Stalag VIIIB Lammsdorf and Stalag XXA.

    Jessica Wood



    Lance Corporal William Downie 6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th April 1945)

    L/Cpl William Downie from Larkhall in Lanarkshire was badly wounded at Narvik in May 1940 and left for dead. He was taken to Trondheim Hospital and later to Oslo Infirmary by the Germans. Willie was in hospital in Norway until August 1940 then transferred to Stalag XXA ,Thorn, Poland, Fort 13. He was in the misery march which saw Germans and prisoners go west to escape the Russian advance in January 1945. L/Cpl William Downie was killed by friendly fire at Gresse, on the River Elbe on the 19th April 1945. L/Cpl William Downie is buried in the British and Commonwealth Cemetery, The Heerstrasse, Charlottenburg, Berlin,Plot 11.Row k

    William Downie



    Pvt. William Jones 1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment

    Private William Jones of the 1st Battalion, The Loyal Regiment was captured at Calais on 28 May 40 and arrived at Stalag XXA (3) on 9th June 40. His Prisoner of War No. was 11677. He was a prisoner until he was repatriated in 1945 and arrived home in April of that year. His service No. was 3852683. My father would never discuss anything about the time when he was a prisoner so we know very little except for a lot of letters he had sent my mother and various photographs from the camp he was in. He was on the long march that they did through Poland and of course survived. He had nightmares for years and years. He came from Dowlais South Wales, but after his marriage he lived in Oldham.

    Vivien Orriss



    Private David George Avis Royal West Kent Regiment

    My father, pte David George Avis, no.6347487 of the West Kent Regiment, was wounded at Doullens on 14.5.1940, picked up by the Germans and transported to Cambrai Hospital, then to Aachen. From there he went by train via Bocholt to Thorn over 4 days, 70 men to a cattle truck. He spoke very little about his time as an inmate of Stalag XXA but I do know that they started their 'death march' on 15.1.1945 from Graudenz. They were liberated by the Americans in a small town outside Hanover after walking 850 miles. He was flown home by the RAF on 20.4.1945 to High Wycombe,rekitted,paid and arrived home at Herne Pound, Mereworth, Kent on 21.4.1945. He was recalled after 6 weeks to Wotten Underwood Barracks.

    Unfortunately I have only found all this information after he died in 2006 when going through his effects.

    Patricia Sage



    L/Cpl. William Downie 6th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th May 1943)

    I am looking for information on my Grandfather, Lance Corpral William Downie of the Cameronians Scottish ifles, R.O. No 16, Camp no 357, POW no 25505, He was captured in May 1940 and died May 19th 1943, he was in Stalag XXA (fort 13 infirmary).

    UPDATE:

    I would like to contact anyone who knew my uncle LCpl William (Bill) Downie, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who was captured in Trondheim, Norway in 1940 and transferred to Stalag XXA. He was a POW there until 1945 where he joined the exodus to the west and was killed by an Allied aircraft attack on his column along with approximately 33 other POWs. This incident occured near Hannover on 19 April 1945. If anyone knows any more information on this incident, I would appreciate that you would contact me. My uncle in buried at the Commonwealth Military Cemetery in Charlotteburg, Berlin.




    Sgt. James Blake Bartlett 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My late father was a prisoner in Stalag 383. His name was Sgt James Blake Bartlett of the KRRC 1 QVR's. He was captured at Calais 23.5.1940 and according to his army record first went to Stalag XXA in 1940 then to XXB in 1941 and to Stalag 111C which was renamed Stalag 383 in November 1942 where he stayed until release on the 11.5.1945.

    I can still remember his home coming even to this day, our mum woke us up to say this is your Dad, as I was only 3 when he went away and now I was 8, so did not remember him all that much. He passed away in 1992 and never spoke much about his time as a POW.

    Geoff Bartlett



    Pte. Joseph Gribben Princess Louise Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.27th Mar 1942)

    My great uncle Joe Gribben served with Princess Louise Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and was captured at St Valery-en-caux on 12 June 1940 and was a prisoner of war at Stalag 20A at Torun. He was later transferred to BAB20 a work camp in Upper Silesia, where sadly he was shot by a German guard on 27 March 1942. He was 21.

    My mother wrote to The Legion magazine a number of years ago requesting information. She received a letter from Mr. C. Earl who was a medical orderly at the camp and who, along with another man J. Watson, identified Joe's body when it was brought into the guardroom. He said that Joe was part of a working party formed at Fort 11 near Torun. There were 200 men in the party and their job was to build huts, lay pipes, clear snow etc. Mr Earl describes that the working party then moved to Reigersfield near Old Cossel in Upper Silesia. The working party was known as BAB 20/3COY. Here they worked on a chemical factory building wooden huts, laying pipes and trenches etc. Mr Cossel said, "Your uncle was working there when he was shot by a German guard. I think he had an argument with them about the fag." There are various post cards of a funeral at BAB20 for a man shot for smoking a fag.

    In 2005 my mother also contacted Alison Robertson from an advert in the local paper. Alison was researching a number of deaths in prison camps. She gave us a copy of the Translation of the Deposition of W.J. Schmitz (used in the war crimes investigation). This states that Joe refused to push a heavily laden wheelbarrow of earth. "Gerfreitter Sonntag lifted the wheelbarrow himself and pushed it a bit further in order to show the prisoner it was not too heavy. He ordered Gribben now to push the barrow. But Gribben unloaded a portion of the land on the ground." The sentry Sonntag continued to order my great uncle to move the barrow and threatened use of his firearm. Some of the surrounding POWs were said to have shouted at him and Sonntag took his rifle to show he meant his threat. "As Gribben made no attempts of pushing his wheelbarrow and as other POWs took up a threatening attitude, Sonntag fired." A civilian labourer apparently confirmed this version. The military court at the time granted Sonntag an acquittal as he had "acted in accordance with the instructions issued by the Kommander i/c POWs, Major General Von Osterrich. My family were told that Sonntag was not seen in the camp again and they believed he was sent to the Eastern Front.

    Today I read the diaries of Private William Law. On the 27th March there is an entry about a shooting of a POW for refusing to push a wheel barrow. The date fits (if this was Pte Law's diary for 1942) and the reason fits the official German version. I now wonder if it was another soldier who was shot in an argument over a cigarette and that Joe's shooting was indeed over refusing to push the wheelbarrow. There are photos of three funerals at BAB20 on the Pegasus website.

    I would very much like to get in touch with Paul Law (William's son who submitted the dairies).  

    Alison Shorrock



    Sgt. Charles Edward Turner East Yorkshire Yeomanry 5th Dragoon Guards

    My father, Charles Turner was a Tank Commander from the East Yorkshire Regiment. he was captured 23 May 1940 in St Omer, and sent to Stalag XX/A 6 June 1940 prisoner number 776 in Oflag III/C. He was transferred to Stalag XX/B on 10 October 1941. He was transferred from XX/A on 16 September 1942 and held in Oflag III/C we have no records of his of his release etc, he attested into the TA in 1947 In Kingston upon Hull.

    My Father would never talk about his time in the camps as he thought it was better to look to the future. We have a photo of him in the camp, but we don't know which one is him. My father died in May 1973 and I am trying to compose a life book for my children before I die. I would like any help of advice from anyone and will pass on any info I have.

    James Turner



    Stephen Featherstone

    My uncle, Stephen Featherstone, was a POW at Stalag XXA in the early 1940s and then in Stalag 383 around 1943. I don't know what regiment he was in but he was captured after only a few weeks in the army and was a POW for the duration of WW2. He never talked about his wartime experiences but there are dozens of photos which were sent home during this period.
    StalagXXA

    StalagXXA

    StalaXXA

    StalagXXA

    Derek, Steve, Bobbie in Stalag XXA

    Derek, Steve & Bobbie in Stalag XXa

    Stalag XXA 1941

    Stalag XXA 1941

    Stalag 383

    Stalag 383

    Stalag 383, 15th of Nov 1943

    Stalag 383 15th of Nov 1943

    Stalag 383

    Stalag 383

    Stalag 383

    After the war he married the girl who waited for him throughout, had three children and died at the great age of 88 in 2002. Born in Hunwick, Co Durham, in 1913, he was a wonderful uncle, father and grandfather. After the war he worked until retirement as a railway signalman in the Stockton on Tees area.

    Sue Nicholson



    Private Charles John McCarthy

    My uncle, Pte Charles John McCarthy was a POW in Stalag XXA and Stalag 8B/344 between 1941 and 1945. Apparently he escaped three times. His service number was VX8916. He was AWOL more than 20 times before and after he was a POW. It is a fantastic story but he died not long after the war with no wife or children. It is sad he did not have his own family.

    Pete Kennedy



    Ted Hitchens

    My father, Ken Wall, was very involved with the concert parties at Stalag XXa. There are a couple of pictures that we found on this site of Dad. He also used to do a double act with his good mate Ted Hitchens under either Hitchens and Wall or Wall and Hitchens.

    Phil Wall



    Ken Wall

    My father, Ken Wall, was very involved with the concert parties at Stalag XXa. There are a couple of pictures that we found on this site of Dad. He also used to do a double act with his good mate Ted Hitchens under either Hitchens and Wall or Wall and Hitchens.

    Phil Wall



    Harry Dalby 1st Battalion The Black Watch, 51st Highland Division

    My late grandfather Harry Dalby was a POW in Stalag XXA. I have had his prisoner of war records translated and they give 2.K Batlingen, Batlingen 20 and Reigersfeld as work camps.

    My grandfather, while in one of the camps, had what can only be described as a large hankie or part of a sheet with his Battalion's badge and two soldiers in highland dress on either side of it. This was drawn in ink we were told. It also has HE YDEBRECK written on the top of it which I believe is Batlingen. We have no idea who made this for him so if anyone has any idea or info I would be very greatful.

    He was in the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, 51st Highland Division captured St.Valery 16/6/40.

    Michele



    William Duncan McArthur Black Watch 51st Highland Division

    My father William Duncan McArthur was a prisoner in Stalag XXA. I have his dog tags and his number is 15369. He came from Dundee and he was a Dundee weaver.

    He was a piper in the Black Watch which was part of the 51st Highland Division. He was captured at St Valery during the retreat to Dunkirk as his division was fighting a rearguard action to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk. He was Lord Ogilvy's Batman. He died when I was five and thus I have only dim memories of him now that I am 47 and have a family of my own.

    I have heard several stories of him. He was once working as a farm hand when he saw a Nazi Sergeant beating a Jewish woman with his rifle butt. My father became enraged and chased the Sergeant with a pitchfork with the intent of killing him. He was brought before the authorities of the camp to be executed but he explained that he could not understand the German language and what the Sergeant was saying and so his life was spared. This excuse saved his life.

    On another occasion whilst in the camp, 17 camp inmates were desperate to contact their families at home to inform them that they were not dead. They all wrote their names and addresses on any material they could find such as cardboard, paper, bark or leaves. They did not know how to get the addresses to the outside world so my father stuffed all of the bits of paper and bark into his boot and threw it over the camp fence. A postman found the boot and delivered it to the French Underground and it was finally delivered to my mother who notified the families of their loved one's presence in the camp.

    He remained in the camp for the whole war. Once he was home from the war, he weighed only 6 stone. His legs were so badly ulcerated that the medical authorities wanted to amputate both legs. My mother forbade this and over a long period of time, tended him and saved his legs.

    At his funeral in Sydney, Australia in 1965, a man came to the funeral whom none of our family and friends recognised. Once he was approached he stated that "Bill McArthur saved my life and so I have come to pay my respects".

    If anyone knew of my father, especially in WW2 please contact me.

    Alexander McArthur



    William Duncan McArthur Black Watch 51st Highland Division

    My father William Duncan McArthur was a prisoner in Stalag XXA. I have his dog tags and his number is 15369. He came from Dundee and he was a Dundee weaver.

    He was a piper in the Black Watch which was part of the 51st Highland Division. He was captured at St Valery during the retreat to Dunkirk as his division was fighting a rearguard action to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk. He was Lord Ogilvy's Batman. He died when I was five and thus I have only dim memories of him now that I am 47 and have a family of my own.

    I have heard several stories of him. He was once working as a farm hand when he saw a Nazi Sergeant beating a Jewish woman with his rifle butt. My father became enraged and chased the Sergeant with a pitchfork with the intent of killing him. He was brought before the authorities of the camp to be executed but he explained that he could not understand the German language and what the Sergeant was saying and so his life was spared. This excuse saved his life.

    On another occasion whilst in the camp, 17 camp inmates were desperate to contact their families at home to inform them that they were not dead. They all wrote their names and addresses on any material they could find such as cardboard, paper, bark or leaves. They did not know how to get the addresses to the outside world so my father stuffed all of the bits of paper and bark into his boot and threw it over the camp fence. A postman found the boot and delivered it to the French Underground and it was finally delivered to my mother who notified the families of their loved one's presence in the camp.

    He remained in the camp for the whole war. Once he was home from the war, he weighed only 6 stone. His legs were so badly ulcerated that the medical authorities wanted to amputate both legs. My mother forbade this and over a long period of time, tended him and saved his legs.

    At his funeral in Sydney, Australia in 1965, a man came to the funeral whom none of our family and friends recognised. Once he was approached he stated that "Bill McArthur saved my life and so I have come to pay my respects".

    If anyone knew of my father, especially in WW2 please contact me.

    Alexander McArthur



    Albert William Mead Royal Artillery

    My granddad, Bill Mead, is a veteran of WW2 and I am currently trying to find anyone who remembers him or has any photos that may be of interest to him. He was a member of the Royal Artillery, is from Birmingham and was in Stalag VIIIB Lammsdorf and Stalag XXA.

    Jessica Wood



    Lance Corporal William Downie 6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th April 1945)

    L/Cpl William Downie from Larkhall in Lanarkshire was badly wounded at Narvik in May 1940 and left for dead. He was taken to Trondheim Hospital and later to Oslo Infirmary by the Germans. Willie was in hospital in Norway until August 1940 then transferred to Stalag XXA ,Thorn, Poland, Fort 13. He was in the misery march which saw Germans and prisoners go west to escape the Russian advance in January 1945. L/Cpl William Downie was killed by friendly fire at Gresse, on the River Elbe on the 19th April 1945. L/Cpl William Downie is buried in the British and Commonwealth Cemetery, The Heerstrasse, Charlottenburg, Berlin,Plot 11.Row k

    William Downie



    Pvt. William Jones 1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment

    Private William Jones of the 1st Battalion, The Loyal Regiment was captured at Calais on 28 May 40 and arrived at Stalag XXA (3) on 9th June 40. His Prisoner of War No. was 11677. He was a prisoner until he was repatriated in 1945 and arrived home in April of that year. His service No. was 3852683. My father would never discuss anything about the time when he was a prisoner so we know very little except for a lot of letters he had sent my mother and various photographs from the camp he was in. He was on the long march that they did through Poland and of course survived. He had nightmares for years and years. He came from Dowlais South Wales, but after his marriage he lived in Oldham.

    Vivien Orriss



    Private David George Avis Royal West Kent Regiment

    My father, pte David George Avis, no.6347487 of the West Kent Regiment, was wounded at Doullens on 14.5.1940, picked up by the Germans and transported to Cambrai Hospital, then to Aachen. From there he went by train via Bocholt to Thorn over 4 days, 70 men to a cattle truck. He spoke very little about his time as an inmate of Stalag XXA but I do know that they started their 'death march' on 15.1.1945 from Graudenz. They were liberated by the Americans in a small town outside Hanover after walking 850 miles. He was flown home by the RAF on 20.4.1945 to High Wycombe,rekitted,paid and arrived home at Herne Pound, Mereworth, Kent on 21.4.1945. He was recalled after 6 weeks to Wotten Underwood Barracks.

    Unfortunately I have only found all this information after he died in 2006 when going through his effects.

    Patricia Sage



    L/Cpl. William Downie 6th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th May 1943)

    I am looking for information on my Grandfather, Lance Corpral William Downie of the Cameronians Scottish ifles, R.O. No 16, Camp no 357, POW no 25505, He was captured in May 1940 and died May 19th 1943, he was in Stalag XXA (fort 13 infirmary).

    UPDATE:

    I would like to contact anyone who knew my uncle LCpl William (Bill) Downie, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who was captured in Trondheim, Norway in 1940 and transferred to Stalag XXA. He was a POW there until 1945 where he joined the exodus to the west and was killed by an Allied aircraft attack on his column along with approximately 33 other POWs. This incident occured near Hannover on 19 April 1945. If anyone knows any more information on this incident, I would appreciate that you would contact me. My uncle in buried at the Commonwealth Military Cemetery in Charlotteburg, Berlin.








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