Looking for Major Antony Holden Oflag X-C, Lubeck, Oflag VI B, Dossel

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by GenealogyJude, Jun 29, 2020.

  1. GenealogyJude

    GenealogyJude Member

    My uncle, Gordon Herbert Batchelor, was a pilot with 54 Squadron and a POW from July 9th 1941, when he was shot down over France. He landed up in Oflag XC in Lübeck but died of his injuries in hospital in Hamburg on April 15th 1942. In our family, we have a condolence letter written by Major Anthony Holden. "Tony" was at Oflag X-C, as was Gordon, when an RAF bombing raid hit the camp ca. September 17th 1941. Tony's leg was injured badly and eventually it was amputated in December 1941. He was a roommate with Gordon for nearly 7 months in hospital in Lübeck and then in Hamburg until he was discharged to Oflag VI B in March 1942.

    I would love to be able to get in touch with the family of Major Holden to show my appreciation and share the photograph of Tony and Gordon in hospital and the letter that he wrote, which my family has cherished. Unfortunately, I have no other information on him. I understand that there was a contingent of Army officers who had been captured on Crete and then sent to Lübeck so he may have seen service there. I do not know if he survived the war or not. Any advice or information would be gratefully received.

    I recently received some records from the ICRC and wrote an article about the information found. If you are interested in learning more, you can read the full details on my blog:

    http://genealogyjude.com/2020/06/27/ww2-prisoner-of-war-records-from-the-archives-of-the-red-cross/

    Regards,

    Jude
    http://genealogyjude.com
     

    Attached Files:

  2. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

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  3. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Ancestry has some family trees for Anthony Charles Shuttleworth-Holden born the right date (but in London) but died in Norfolk so a possibility. Findmypast casualty lists have his number as 42186 and have him as A C S Holden so that seems to tie in and they are treating Shuttleworth as a middle name. The last casualty list on Findmypast has him repatriated 43-44 period - it also has him captured on Crete - I was going on the Cairo theatre in the link in my last post as meaning Western Desert but I guess Cairo also administered the Crete oprations.

    Alistair
     
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  4. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Had a bit more of a look and this page Person Page has a daughter born in 1940, possibly worth more digging
     
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  5. GenealogyJude

    GenealogyJude Member

    Hi Alistair,
    Thank you so much for all your hard work. I am absolutely delighted! I had come across this individual before but was unsure if it was him. The link with the POW number on the letter matching his record in WO 416 clinches it. It looks like he just had the one daughter but it's possible she is still alive. I think I will try contacting some of the owners of the main trees on Ancestry that record him, in the hope that one of them is a close relative. I will let you know!
    I am very grateful for your interest and your expert sleuthing. You have made my day! Thank you so much!
    Jude
     
  6. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    No problem, the story on your blog was fascinating so any little I can help to build the story I'll happily do - the photo is an amazing link to your Uncle
     
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  7. GenealogyJude

    GenealogyJude Member

    In the next few months I will be writing about my uncle's time at 54 Squadron, his fellow pilots, and a fuller account of his time as a prisoner of war. I am very fortunate to have the photo of him in hospital. I also have the pocket diary he kept. Thanks again for your help and interest.
     
  8. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    The 54 Squadron Operation Record Books that will show his flights are available from the National Archives website and at the moment are available free if you don't already have them, its worth grabbing them while you can, its not a massive saving over normal downloads but any little saving helps
     
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  9. GenealogyJude

    GenealogyJude Member

    Yes, I have been taking advantage of that and downloading them, along with the Combat Reports in AIR 50. Thanks!
     
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  10. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

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  11. GenealogyJude

    GenealogyJude Member

    Thank you, that's really kind of you. I have contacted a few people today with trees on Ancestry but if that doesn't come up trumps, I will order the wills. If his daughter married, these documents could provide her married name and possibly the names of grandchildren too.
     
  12. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    Hope the ancestry contacts work out.

    If you have not already seen it, parts of this book are online:
    Hard Fighting: A History of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, 1900–1946
    By Jonathan Hunt
    Hard Fighting
    In this it confirms that Tony Holden was on Crete when the Germans invaded. He was with Y Battery, Sherwood Rangers, manning coastal guns defending Suda Bay. Previous to that he had been with Y Battery on Cyprus and at Haifa.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2020
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  13. GenealogyJude

    GenealogyJude Member

    Interesting, thanks!
     
  14. BarbaraWT

    BarbaraWT Member

    Is his first name Antony or Anthony I wonder?
     
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  15. GenealogyJude

    GenealogyJude Member

    I think he is recorded under both variants of the name. The good news is that I believe I have found his daughter. I am composing a letter to her at the moment. If I hear back I will let you know!
     
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