A Brief Time in the Life of a British Prisoner of War (march 24 till 30)

OTHER PART OF DIARY – SEEMS TO BE SOME TIME BEFORE THE FOREGOING ALTHOUGH FURTHER ON IN DIARY

Notes start at MARCH 24 ( not sure if dates are relevant)

Fordon 1943

Started work this morning at 6.30.Received one parcel and 50 cigs, also two letters, one from father, one from Phemie. I had a note from F. McNavae {? Frank McAnae} at Stalag. Wrote to (rubbed out). One of the boys gave me a pair of rubber shoes. We had a game of football tonight, we got beat 1-0. Done a few deals, gave 2 lb of flour and a tin of jam for 1 lb Canadian butter. Gave butter away for three tins of biscuits. Got three snaps of a young pole. Said he would bring me something in the morning.

March 25

Started work 5.30 this morning. Gave away m. overalls as I did not like the K.G.F. on the seat of the trousers. Sent a letter to the R?? (rest of word rubbed out). Had a bathe and finished at 3 o’clock, in bed at 3 minutes past.

Was going to do a bit of sparring but it never came of. Had a chat to J. Henderson. Wrote to F. McA.

March 26

Started same time this morning. Miss my hour in bed. Finished at 3 o’clock. Got a tie from a Polish boy. The boys did not half cheer me. Have a place to go if I want to go. Received a bulk issue tonight, also a letter from Cathie and also a personal parcel posted Oct No. 8. Have been trying to get a comb for a while and shoes. Now have three combs a two for shoes. (not clear)

March 27

Started at 6.30 this morning. Got some bacon and when I got back I thought I had lost it a passport, perhaps. Didn’t feel so good, went to bed, off my grub a bit. Had 4 rounds tonight, going to do a bit often as some of the boys are keen.

boxing kept them from being bored - note vehicles beyond wire

March 28

Went out this morning at 6 o’clock. 11 wagons just got back. Going back to bed. 11 wagons loaded.

Played football after dinner, played a draw 1-1. Quite a crowd of civilians watched the game.

Tonight we had the gloves on again, but I was tired. Wrote to father, also a Newcastle girl. Ready for bed after a trying day.

March 29

Started same time. Thought my man the File Layer was not coming this morning.

Gave the boy my photo this ??? (not clear) afternoon. Might not manage with ??? (not clear) That boy may be up tomorrow morning.

Tonight we had 3 rounds again. Twisted my ankle for the third time in three days, beginning to get sore. No wonder.

March 30

Air raid alarm last night, the third in the last seven days. That’s the stuff.

Had another two or three rounds tonight, still in the pink.

The Quarter Master goes back tomorrow. Perhaps Red Cross.

DIARY STOPS AT THIS POINT

On my dad's release he was immediately posted to Belfast and not allowed to go home. He jumped the train at Carlisle on the way north and found his own way home. After a few days at home, for the first time in nearly five years, he headed for Belfast and managed to blag his way to his post. His short absence was not discovered and if it was his immediate seniors turned a blind eye. Glad there were some with common sense and feeling.

a reunion of old POW friends sometime in the 1960's - my dad is second from the right as one looks at the photograph and Sam Kydd is in the middle

My dad spoke sparingly of his incarceration although he occasionally let us into a memory or two. I will recount one such memory, almost unbelievable, but not so. Dad had a brother, also a soldier, in the Artillery. He formed part of the long range desert brigade and through that route found himself increasingly behind enemy lines in what was to become the first model for the SAS. One day my dad was told by a fellow prisoner that he needed to get himself to the outer fence of the prisoner of war camp as someone was asking for him. Puzzled, my dad did as he was bid. In the gloom of that evening he encountered two figures beyond the wire. Both wore ragged clothing and sleeveless sheepskin waistcoats, just like the hill people of the Balkans. On seeing my dad one of the shadowy figures identified himself as my dad's brother and he indeed was. They had not seen each other since the outbreak of war. They spoke for a few minutes before the pair had to melt back into the nearby forest. After the war the brothers spoke of that encounter. Even then my dad never got to the bottom of how his brother knew where to find him. On leaving my dad at the fence that evening his brother headed for Yugoslavia where he carried out his war behind enemy lines helping the resistance.

In this blog I have made mention of Sam Kydd, who some of you might remember as a television and stage actor, of St Valery and of the inhuman march to Danzig towards the end of the war. For those interested in finding out more about this episode of the second world war I can recommend the following books; (1) St Valery 'the impossible odds', edited by Bill Innes,  (2) For You the War is Over, written by Sam Kydd and lastly (3) The Last Escape, written by John Nichol and Tony Rennell.

A postscript. When my brother and I grew up, among my mum and Dad's closest friends was a couple, the husband was Scottish and his wife was German. They remained close friends until my parents death, tragically about a year apart. My dad used to say that German people were second to none, he also said, however beware of them as a nation with power.

When I see the position they now occupy in Europe I think of my dad.

A Brief Time in the Life of a British Prisoner of War (january 20 till 25)

Life as a British POW continued;

January 20 (Page thirteen)

Worked in the woods today. Guard with us all the time nearly. At night I got disappointed. News is good at present but the guard says there is no word of moving. Thorn looks like being taken any time. Met the guard by the joiner tonight when I was taking tools back to the tool shed but the place was locked. Had a bath. 10 o’clock. George was taken off the horses today at dinner time.

January 21 (Page fourteen)

Was in bed until about 4 oclock. Made a belt for Rick. A lot of excitement over the griff (?) but still nothing definite. Expecting to move anytime. The boys reckon they heard the guns tonight but I did not hear anything myself. Wrote to father and Cathie (my mum). Played stop patience with Brooky and got beat. Had xmas duff for tea. Waiting on the guard to take our slacks, he took them last night for the first time for some time.

funeral party for Danny Faulds - my dad has indicated where he is - the person at the front of the coffin party is Sam Kydd - i was never informed the cause of this prisoners death although my dad kept the photograph in a safe place - I am sure it was important to him

January 22 (Page fifteen)

A day of excitement. The Russians are about here, don’t know what is happening. We can hear the guns. Worked on the saddling half day. In the afternoon worked in the hop(?)

January 23 (Page sixteen)

More excitement, the boss and the workers went to dig trenches but came back at the double as their enemy was coming. They have not put in an appearance yet. Got packed to go today but the order was cancelled. We are now about in the front line as far as I can make out. Heard the machine guns today.

January 24 (Page seventeen)

Never went to work this morning things seem to be going back to normal but we can still hear the guns very loud. After dinner we were sent back to work as usual, went saddling. The guns are still pretty heavy they are about fifteen miles away. Some people from lit (?) packed their wagon tonight they are going in the morning. They are stuck somewhere between Br. (?) and Nak. (?) 9.15 lull in the firing. One of the lads has just heard machine gun fire. The boss went to get his horses back.

January 25 (Page eighteen)

Stayed in bed till about 11 o.clock. The guard came in and told us to pack again. But again it was cancelled and we are still in our working party. They packed the wagon today and there is a rumour that he goes tonight but not anything definite. This waiting is no so good, if something would happen it would be a relief. Can still hear the machine guns.

It will continue, although there is a break in the date sequence.

A Brief Time in the Life of a British Prisoner of War (january 11 till 19)

Following is another nine days of diary transcript. (where I am unsure of what was written I have added comment in brackets). In this photograph taken in the camp, my dad is the small one in the very back row.

occupants of a hut - my dad is small guy on back row

January 11 (Page four)

Stayed in camp today mending boots. The lads were on sugar beet to the station and met a Sgt from another command who said there was a Xmas parcel. Candie (not clear what this word is) parcel and bulk issue in Stalag. The guard tried to arrange for a trip to Stalag tomorrow but can’t manage. Going in on Saturday. Done not so bad today for going to grt rations up also. P.R.Cross.

January 12 (Page five)

Shoe making all day. The lads were on thrashing. Cyril and Eric go to Stalag tomorrow. Hope to have mail and parcels.

January 13 (Page six)

Was on sacks at machine, got disappointed. The lads came back from Stalag with Xmas parcels and Canadian. I had two letters from Jan (Jim?). Part of a bulk issue in Stalag yet but none on the way. Brooky went Clanslury (not clear) to load the tractor, 10 o’clock and still not back. Got a drink of tea tonight, first for some time. Still no mail from home. Eric had a parcel of cigs and Finy had two. Had a pipe from Finy to smoke the tobacco we had issued (then word that looks like ‘dravas’?) from Stalag.

January 14 (Page seven)

Did well for breakfast, had a real day for food. Did not get up till after 12 o’clock. Eric and Cyril gave me breakfast in bed. Play bridge at night, did not finish the game. Had a pipe given me and a tin of tobacco issued, so I am starting the life. Wrote to Jim tonight. As I had no more cards I did not write home. Turning in at 10 o’clock.

January 15 (Page eight)

Worked on sacks at the machine again today. Had not a bad day snowed all the time but we finish before we come back to dinner. After dinner I was on root chopping and at night we put the thrashing machine away. Baron got a telling off today. Had a roll with meal (meat?) for breakfast. Played bridge at night, enjoyed the game. Had a long talk with George and Jock. 9.30 turning in, reading Opium Clipper.

January 16 (Page nine)

Worked on chaff cutting part of the morning. Had a half hour in the billet then went of out for half an hour. Steam engine went away today. After dinner I was on root chopping for a little while then when off to get straw (?) of the road got very cold at night. According to the paper they have started to push in the east. Played a little bridge in the evening. Cyril and Yorky were at the distillery today but did not get any drink. Worked till 4 o’clock today. Change of hours half hour extra in the evening.

January 17 (Page ten)

Worked in the wood all day terrible day cold wind drifting the snow. Had hard luck for a hare it ran right in amongst us. Saw a friend of mine today. Had a duff for tea the first for some time. Played stop patience in evening turning in 9.15

January 18 (Page eleven)

Started today on root earthing with Brooky after dinner we were in the wood sawing wood. Bit of trouble with G. today started in the smith’s shop this morning. Wind blowing all day made work unpleasant. Rumours of a move but nothing definite. Played stop patience with Brooky at night got beat 3 games. 9.40 turning in.

January 19 (Page twelve)

In wood again today spent the day sawing with Rick. Strong wind today but I was warmer than yesterday had a bit of luck at night turned in at 8.45.

More to follow.

A Brief Time in the Life of a British Prisoner of War (january 6 till 10).

The early pages of this battered and torn diary are filled with names, some addresses and what looks like soldiers identification numbers. I have not reproduced any these as perhaps they may still be important to someone who may wish that they be kept out of the public domain.

Before going on with my reproduction of the diary I will reproduce details of where my dad was kept prisoner;

Camp details;

Camp name / location – Thorn Podgorz.

Camp number – 20A

POW number – 14890

Rank – private

Army number – 2824029

Regiment – Seaforth

R.O. number – 16 (not sure what that refers to, perhaps something to do with the Regiment)

There is no reference to him having been in any other camps. From my recollection of dad’s stories of that time, he was in more than one camp and certainly he made references to punishment camps and ‘work’ camps. Perhaps they were all part of the same camp. There appears to be no reference, officially, of the movement of prisoners to Danzig (now Gdansk) in West Prussia. If my knowledge is correct, that area of West Prussia, if not it all, was incorporated into Poland after the war.

Thorn, or correctly, the Polish, Torun, is in North-Central Poland, to the North-West of Warsaw in the direction of Bydgoszcz.

I am told that the most detailed accounts of the lead up to and the capture of the 51^st, are contained in the official war diaries, held in the National Archives. 

Back to the diary;

On one of these early pages a badge is drawn (eight pointed star with feather atop and on bar underneath the star the words ‘Royal Sussex’). I assume the badge represents a cap badge. Under the ‘cap badge’ is a very feint name (cannot make it out).

Then; No 2979918 29/9

DG 59 PM 3300

ITALIA

These details are not my dad’s, suggesting the diary perhaps belonged to someone else before coming into his possession.

Nothing over leaf and on next page two unfinished sketches of the Seaforth Highlanders cap badge. (my father’s regiment). Then a date, 2 January and the following;

2979918

Camp SETTIMORE 11

CC 53

PM 3300

ITALIA. Thereafter a few more names and addresses, presumably fellow prisoners. Then on January 6 he has a list of what look Polish words and phrases and their English meaning. The Polish words, if that indeed is what they are, seem to be written phonetically. I can only assume these were regularly used words and phrases that would have been useful to understand and use.

January 6

Gy-Bi     sat

Uorki nu tillo-ji      sack on the wagon

W oose     wagon

Ts-o pa – tcheesh     what are you looking at

Za-ba-tch-ush     forget

Yas no      light

Aem no      dark

Fen     he

ta     she

Loo-ji     people

January 7

Ta es tish – si mars wa     you are cold

Zist tshi     are you

Nye vol nyck     pow

Wrote to Cathie and Father. Nothing interesting happened today. Played bridge in the evening, got beat.

January 8 (Page one)

Working on ice all day, Controller came. Some news of R Cross may be on the way. Terrible job on ice. Changed my socks at dinner time, got wet through. Still no mail, expecting it any day. B. was mad today, the boys were taking a rise out of him about the jobs he gets. The boss was kidding Yorky today about our activities. Played stop patience in the evening, won 2-1 (Brookie). Went to bed at 8.15.

January 9 (Page two)

Today I worked on the Ranch Loch. Pretty hard work until George gave us a hand. Was the cause of a lot of trouble today between George. (assume that meant George and him).

Still no sign of the Red Cross or ‘mail’, hope to have both this week. Inspector was away all day, Chef did the detail. Turned in at 8 o’clock. I had word from one today. Still thinking of me, roll on Saturday if not tomorrow.

January 10 (Page three)

I was off loading dung, had a good day. At night we loaded two wagons of sugar beet. There is a lot of snow been falling for the last few days. At work I got covered with snow. We had a good snow fight. Asked for a trip to Stalag this week. Guard said it might be arranged. Perhaps I will have some luck on Saturday. Things are pretty bad at present, no Red Cross no mail, but still hoping to have some soon. Going to start a book now, ‘Hash Knife Outfit’. 8.10 o’clock, going to turn in. Played stop patience, one game each.

More to follow.

A Brief Time in the Life of a British Prisoner of War (Introduction).

my dad is wearing the white shirt - picture taken in the camp

My dad, seen here on the right, white shirt, in this battered photograph taken in a prisoner of war camp, was a Seaforth Highlander (British infantry regiment now de-commissioned). The Seaforth Highlanders formed part of the British Expeditionary Force that fought, only to briefly, against Hitler's army in France during the early stages of World War Two. They were sacrificed by Churchill in order to allow the great escape that became known as Dunkirk. Thousands were then captured at St Valery in France where they fought the German Army in a diversionary tactic aimed at dividing the enemy and keeping German forces from reaching Dunkirk. It seemed to work as many thousands of allied forces did escape at Dunkirk. My dad died in 1974. His period in as a POW had a massive effect on his life, standards and values. To refer to one small element of that character, he was absolutely non judgmental and completely fearless, both physically and in opinion. Some years ago, many years after his death, I found an old shoe box in the loft. Inside, amongst a whole heap of bric a brac, was a battered old diary. I transcribed, as best I could, every word in the diary and now commit these words to this blog. The diary covers only two short periods of my dad's war, from 7th to 25th January and then 24th to 30th March, hardly one calendar month out of so many. There is no year attached, however from what is written it appears to be towards the end of that war. Before my dad's war ended he, along with thousands of other allied prisoners was, in deepest winter, marched through Poland to Danzig (now Gdansk). Thousands died during that unnecessary misuse of power and cruelty.  I will reproduce the diary in chunks, episodes. The first episode will be tomorrow. See you then.