Oversby, W

,

William (Bill) Oversby

Family/Last name:
Oversby
Forename(s) and initial(s):
William (Bill)
Military Unit:
British Army, Border Regiment
Date of capture:
1940
Camp
Stalag VIIIB Lamsdorf / Stalag 344
Data sources
Other Sources (Relative's report)
View a commemorative certificate for this prisoner

From: Caroline Dent
Date: 28 May 2017

William Oversby, Border Regiment, taken prisoner 1940. Americans picked them up somewhere after Long March May 1945.

William Oversby was my Uncle Bill, my late Dads older brother. We don’t really know much about his time as a POW. My Dad said it changed him, as it would. He was a laid back, fit young man, of 18. I think and he came back a thin, short-tempered man.

He married and had 2 sons, worked for the local council on the road crew. I remember him as a very funny, droll but stern man who liked horse racing, enjoying a drink and singing.

He hanged himself when in his late 60s. I wonder if this was common with ex POWs? My Dad said, “he thought he had an illness” He suffered with stomach problems, after being a pow, no doubt caused by malnutrition.

Well done for keeping the memories of these young men from another age, alive in our age.

In the group photo, he is 2nd on left, with fag, and cap on, when the Americans got to them.

We have 2 cards (attached) that he sent to his Aunt Doris. In one, he teases her about getting married (she was a very dear maiden Aunt!).

William Oversby, 2nd On Left Wearing Cap And Holding Cigarette
William Oversby First Left
Card Sent From William Oversby To His Aunt 21.2.1942
Card Sent From William Oversby To His Aunt 12.4.1942

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