I am researching my Grandfathers time as a member of the ER Yeo at the beginning of WWII. My grandmother and mother have told stories of him being captured and spending the war as a POW and was presumed dead until 1942 when word got back to my grandmother via a convent in the east riding. I know very little of his time in the POW camps and would like to find out how he spent the war. there has been talk of him spending time at Colditz and several photographs of him in various stalags. any help would be appreciated in methods of research for the east riding yeomanry in particular. many thanks
Hi Jack and welcome to the forum. Without stating the obvious it would help if you provided us with more details like his name. Have you applied for his service records to confirm what unit etc he was serving with. From my own reserach never rely on what the family says. I was told my GF's grandfather was in one unit - It turned out he served in three when we received his records! Cheers Andy
Hi Jack and welcome to the forum. Without stating the obvious it would help if you provided us with more details like his name. Have you applied for his service records to confirm what unit etc he was serving with. From my own reserach never rely on what the family says. I was told my GF's grandfather was in one unit - It turned out he served in three when we received his records! Cheers Andy Hi Andy, Sorry about that I have done some more research. He was a SSM in the east riding yeomanry in an armoured vehicle. his name is John Arthur Hester No5223491 and spent a good period of the war in stalag 383. How can I go about getting his war record. He was presumed dead until 1942 as my grandmother was receiving his war pension for over a year until he was reported captured and alive.
Ref his Service Records check out the link below: Army Personnel Centre - British Army Website Do you know what day he was captured?
East Riding Yeomanry were part of 1st Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade and remained defending Cassel when the rest of the Brigade moved on. They sufferred the same fate as most of the other defenders.
Jack, I would recommend you get hold of a copy of "Yeoman Soldier, Prussian Farmer" by Richard "Dick" Harvey. He served with the ERY at Cassel and was captured spending the war as a PoW and this should give you a good idea of your grandfathers story. There is also "Forrard" by Pace Mace and Ted Wright which gives an account of the ERY in WW2. According to my database your grandfather was mentioned in despatches although I'm not sure what for. If you have any info I can add to my database I would be grateful, likewise if you have any photos you would care to share I would love to see those too! Cheers, Neil.
If he is on the photo at: Stalag 383 you may be able to identify him. A list of some recorded Hull PoWs is at: List of Hull's Prisoners of War - Hull History Centre Catalogue Also, the one-time Hull & Yorkshire Times ran a series of wartime service accounts during the late 1950s, with a number of local PoW features through 1958 in particular. Those reported included Tom Redhead, Alfred Atkinson, Joseph Hewitt, Ronald Hill, Bill Clark, Vies Suggit and Charles Wigley, inter alia. Worth keeping an eye open for. Lastly, the image below seems to comprise members of the Regimental Officers’ and WOs’ & Sgts’ Messes, but I don’t know when or where it was taken: The officer ninth from right looks like Major(?) HFH Philips MC and the Padre may be Captain G Long; others may find it useful, if not you. Good searching.
It is over 10 years since the original request, but maybe ..... SSM Hester could be on this (poor quality) photo: which was probably taken on 4 December 1943 at: with guests and members enjoying the following special treat fare: likely drawn from the ever appreciated Red Cross parcels, possibly sponsored by the Central Hospital Supply Service Depot, 11 Wakefield Road, Featherstone - worth remembering the next time a Red Cross charity shop is given a bit of trade.
Another picture featuring more attendees of that dinner is now available: Whilst looking something up for another query today, I noted detail of a not dissimilar feast at: Stalag 383 and wondered whether chef Carl Menti of the onetime Romano’s: The Strand, London had also been in charge of catering arrangements for this special occasion too.