Eckersall, A
Stoker 1st Class Albert (Happy) Eckersall
Information provided by Lynne Wilkinson
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2011
It was with great interest that I came across your website whilst doing some research after watching “The Long March to Freedom” on the Yesterday channel on Thurs 10th Nov.
You ask for any additions and/or information about those who were in Stalag 344:
My father: James Garner, Lancashire Fusiliers, Army No. 3450469, POW number 1206. Injured during an air attack on Saturday 2nd December 1944, when a shelter within the camp was directly hit by bombs.
His cousin: Gunner John Goring, Royal Artillery, Army No. 2043413, POW. No.1053. Killed during the same allied air raid; they were next to each other in the shelter.
As soon as it became known that a shelter had been hit, several men left their own shelter and before the aircraft had left the area, worked unceasingly until the last of the injured and last body had been extricated from the debris.
One of these men was Albert (Happy) Eckersall, P/KX86772, L/Sto. R.N. POW. No.5310.
My father never saw Happy again after that fateful day, until my brother came across a reference to the camp at HMS Dolphin some 46 years later. They met up again at Gosport submarine museum, where their story made the local paper. Dad and Happy remained friends until dad sadly passed away in 1995.
I hope this is of use and interest.
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