Private Norman James Edwin Gibbs’ Diary

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From John Mills. 02/04/2025 Norman Gibbs was born in 1917 and died in 2010 at the age of 93 years from complications after open heart surgery.  Just before his death he had dictated his war memories, which his wife Elizabeth typed up. At…

FIRST POW COLUMN FROM STALAG 344 LAMSDORF ARRIVES AT STALAG VIIIA GORLITZ.

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FIRST POW COLUMN FROM STALAG 344 LAMSDORF ARRIVES STALAG VIIIA GORLITZ. Aus. 407822 Warrant Officer Alistair McGregor CURRIE (Aus. 407822), R.A.A.F. Arrived Stalag VIIIA Gorlitz 3 February 1945. Report of March from Lamsdorf to…

Harry Drew’s war

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With the kind permission of Major Nigel Capel we are pleased to provide access to HARRY DREW’S WAR (COMPRISING THE WARTIME LOG OF, AND DEPICTING VARIOUS OTHER WW2 AND ARMY SERVICE ITEMS BELONGING TO, LANCE SERGEANT HENRY RICHARD (HARRY)…

Thomas James Edwards’ War Diary

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Sgt. Thomas James Edwards, known as “Jim” to his friends and family, was also my Grandpa. He served in the RAF with the 502 Squadron during World War II. In September 1942, his plane was shot down, and he became a prisoner of war at Stalag…

Lieutenant Dudley Stewart-Smith’s diaries 1918

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Some account of my stay in Germany as a prisoner of war and of the curious people I met there, beginning on April 18th, the date on which I was captured at Givenchy, when serving with the 1st Black Watch. It is said that as soon as a man…

JUST ANOTHER COUNTRY BOY and an unwilling guest of Hitler – The Life of Ken Latheron

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The Life of Ken Latheron. Compiled and edited by Julia Stephen. "For some years my friends and relations have asked me to write my memories of the Second World War and of my incarceration in various Stalags in Poland and Upper Silesia. This…

Gordon Bourner #6403285 Royal Sussex Regiment. War Time Account.

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Introduction Gordon Bourner - Private Number 6403285, Royal Sussex Regiment - began his training in Brighton in January 1940 (having enlisted in September 1939?). This is his account of his wartime life. Gordon, my father, wouldn’t talk…

Robert Matthews No. 5384624. POW experiences

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At Lamsdorf Camp my head was shaven (I was so weak and had dizzy spells). Blechhammer Working Party was made up of 800 men – we were in the middle of the forest, set to work clearing trees and digging foundations. Our daily rations were…

S J Woodman’s long march diary transcript

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Stanley John Woodman, was a Sapper (from the French word sappe - spadework, or trench) in the Royal Engineers, Army No. 2069751 He was confirmed as POW, No. 220907, on 24/10/1942. Written at the top of page 1 of Stanley’s account…

Henry Albert Silk’s Long March

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Henry Albert Silk was born in 1922 but gave his data of birth as 1920 in order to join 6th Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment, the British Army. Along with many others, he completed the long march west from Stalag VIIIB commencing on 22nd January…