Newstead, W W

,

Corporal William Walter Newstead

Family/Last name:
Newstead
Forename(s) and initial(s):
William Walter
Military Unit:
British Army, East Yorkshire Regiment
Rank when captured:
Corporal
Place of capture:
Dunkirk
Date of capture:
1940
POW number:
5576
Camp
Stalag VIIIB Lamsdorf / Stalag 344, Stalag Luft III Sagan
Data sources
Other Sources (Relative’s report)
View a commemorative certificate for this prisoner

Information provided by Lavinia Bailey

I am writing on behalf of my mother, who is the daughter of a prisoner of war who was based at Stalag VIIIB / 344 at Lamsdorf. Then transferred to Stalag Luft III. His details are as follows:

Corporal William Walter Newstead
POW No. – 5576 E397

Just a little information about his stay: He was captured at Dunkirk and walked through Holland to the German prison camp. Whilst at Stalag Luft III, his knowledge and experience of a being a coal miner prior the war meant that he was used to help the POWs to dig the “HARRY” tunnel. He was invited to join the escape, but declined as the chances of being captured were too big a risk.

When my mother was only 15 years old, her father informed her of various situations that he experienced. One of which was that her father looked after a prisoner who was intent on getting himself shot due to constant fear. Unfortunately, at a time when his back was turned, the feared prisoner accomplished his wish… running to the fence to be shot. This was actually used in the film ” The Great Escape”.

I would like to see my grandfather’s name included in your list of POWs (he was part of the East Yorkshire Regiment) and would really appreciate any tips or directions to learn any information concerning these times.

My mother, brother and myself are planning a trip to see the camps and was wondering if there is any way in which we can acquire information on which hut he would have been placed in. Any information is greatly appreciated.

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