Connolly, W

Wally Connolly

Family/Last name:
Connolly
Forename(s) and initial(s):
Wally
Nationality:
British
Military Unit:
British Army
Camp
Stalag VIIIB Lamsdorf / Stalag 344
Data sources
Other Sources (Relative's Report - See John (Bunny) Turner)
View a commemorative certificate for this prisoner

 

My father John (known as Bunny) Turner was a prisoner in Stalag VIIIB, having been captured in the Western desert. He spent some time in Chiavari before being transferred to Stalag VIIIB. Would it be possible to have his name, and that of his friend Wally Connolly – also a prisoner and from Liverpool – added to the list of names? 

Flo Clucas

 

From: Clucas, Flo 

Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 

Subject: Prisoner John A Turner

My father was captured at Tobruk and eventually became a prisoner in Stalag VIIIB. His name was John Turner, a L/Bom Driver in the RA. He was from Liverpool.

He told us lots of stories about his time there: camp theatre; crystal set wirelesses; bribing guards; escape attempts; Charlie Coward and working parties. He worked in the quarry, driving a train and also on road works. One that never left him was the two little boys who the prisoners got to know. They were executed by the Germans for stealing coal. Apparently, the work party refused to continue working and were escorted back to camp.

My Dad was repatriated in 1944, following a serious injury, caused – now understand by being beaten by the guards. His life was saved by the doctors and another prisoner, Wally Connolly, from Liverpool, acted as a blood donor for a week!

My father spoke a good deal about his time in the camp and about his life there. It affected his whole life.

He was repatriated in October 1944, after he was injured – we believe by guards kicking rocks down onto his head. He spent a long time in the hospital and eventually came home via Sweden.

I have already heard from the Red Cross and have details of his repatriation from them.

 

 

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