Lawson, E W

,

Corporal Eric W Lawson

Family/Last name:
Lawson
Forename(s) and initial(s):
Eric W
Place of birth:
Hinderwell
Date of birth:
14/9/1917
Nationality:
British
Service number:
7611008
Military Unit:
British Army, Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Rank when captured:
Corporal
Place of capture:
Dunkirk
Date of capture:
1940
POW number:
3587
Camp
Stalag VIIIB Lamsdorf / Stalag 344, Stalag XXIB Schubin
Data sources
The National Archives (UK)Other Sources (Relative's Report + WO416 records transcribed by and held at the UK National Archives. Data processed and prepared by Rick Catt and Brian Cooper)
View a commemorative certificate for this prisoner

From: Sally Matson
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2019 at 16:20
Subject: E.W. Lawson & T.W.C Lawson Stalag VIIIB

I have recently discovered a bundle of letters written by my late father to his mother during the war years, some of which were sent from his time at Stalag VIIIB. I have not been able to find his name on your excellent website and would be honoured to have his details added please.

He was Guardsman Thomas Wilfred Clive Lawson (known as Clive) of the Coldstream Guards (Army No: 2664479).

He was taken prisoner is North Africa in March 1943 and sent to Italy, where he and some companions later escaped.  They were not long at large before they were re-captured by a German patrol and sent to Stalag VIIIB.  

Whilst being registered, Dad was told that another Lawson had been a long-time inmate of the camp and, so it was that older brother Corporal Eric W Lawson and Clive Lawson were reunited after almost three years. Uncle Eric had been part of the BEF and taken prisoner in 1940.

I attach for your possible interest a scan of the letter written by the brothers to their mother.

I very much hope this information will be sufficient for you, but please do not hesitate to contact me if you need more.  I would be so grateful if you could let me know if you are able to add Dad’s details to the list 

 

Name: Eric W LAWSON
Nationality: British
Rank: Corporal
Army Number: 7611008
Regiment: Royal Army Ordnance Corps
POW Number: 3587
Camp Type: Stalag
Camp Number: VIIIB
Camp Location: Lambinowice, Poland
Notes: See also his brother Thomas Wilfred Clive LAWSON

Captured as part of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940

 

Letter from Eric and Clive to their mother:

Letter to Gran (Mrs E M Lawson) 17 December 1943

From German POW Camp Stalag VIII B

Clive

Dear Mother

At last, after all that’s happened these last few years I’m back with old Eric. I know with what feelings you’ll receive that slice of news. I walked in on him unexpectedly too and what a reunion it was. All is now worthwhile mother, we’ll be as right as rain now we are together. Gosh it certainly was good to see him & looking so well too. I honestly feel as though Providence bore a hand (a) one in a million-chance come true. Eric showed me some of your last letters – well you know ma mère you have no cause to worry at all – just keep young and beautiful till we come barging in together (Clive)

 

Eric

Eric calling & as happy as a sandboy. Still hard to realize he is sitting a yard away writing home. Endorse heartily Clive’s remarks about Providence. We’re both fit cheerful & we’re going to keep that way. Probably spend the winter devizing new & mysterious methods of acquiring money without work. When they told me that your brother is in the camp office, I went mad with joy. What a great day! He’s still the same old Clive. It’s quite a decent place here, so he’ll be OK. No need to worry now eh! Eric.

Your loving sons

Eric & Clive

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