Gates, E W
Edward William Gates
I recently researched Driver Edward William Gates, 22 Battalion, 2NZEF. He was captured in Crete on the 1st June 1941, and after passing through Dulag 183 he was sent to Stalag VIIIB on 22nd August 1941. I have a copy of his POW card and on it the Germans have listed the Kommandos that he was sent to work in prior to moving on to Oflag 79 in May 1944.
Several of the work camps are not included in your list e.g.
E231 Kerzdorf, Krs.Lowenberg where he worked from 7.9.41 to 11.3.42
E547 Neudorf where he worked 22.1.43 to 22.2.43, and
E710 Breslau? where he worked 20.8.43 to 31.8.43
Bill also worked at E42 (Rothfest), E156 (Erbersdorf), E715 (Auschwitz) and E756 (his last camp before being moved to Braunschweig)
Is it possible to find out what was the purpose of these camps that aren’t on your list?
Can you also please add him to your list of POWs as having served time in Stalag VIIIB?
I have had the task of “mapping” our POW Wall where during the 1980s-90s many came and signed the wall adding their names, regimental numbers, POW numbers, camps held in etc. If you would like to add more POWs to you nominal roll (all have been verified as having been there in Lamsdorf) I am more than happy to oblige.
Grant Hays
Custodian
NZ National Army Museum
Suggest an improvement to this record