This is my mother’s stepbrother, Albert Whatton. Always known in the family as Albert the Glum, don’t know why but it doesn’t make him less of a soldier. Albert is known to have been in Anzio and from WW2talk I have already learnt:- Service number 14216728 Was a PoW in Gorlitz, stalag 8A Served in 1st Batt Duke of Wellington’s Trying to get a little more impression of his army service is it possible to estimate his date of enlistment based on his service number? Albert was at Anzio but it is not known where he was captured, so did the 1st Duke of Wellington’s see action again after Anzio?. Were the PoW’s captured in Italy ever transferred to camps in Germany? Any suggestion as to his medal ribbons are?
Keith, do you know if he completed a PoW questionnaire? Date of enlistment and date/place of capture would be some of the questions asked. You could have a search made at Kew. As for info, have you tried to apply for his service records; and the WDs would give you a better idea of background. Yes, PoWs were sent to Germany etc from Italy.
so did the 1st Duke of Wellington’s see action again after Anzio?. Yes look here , one of them won a VC. Duke of Wellington's Regiment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Richard Henry Burton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Were the PoW’s captured in Italy ever transferred to camps in Germany? Yes, one chap in 2 Wilts , Sgt Taylor, was captured in Italy in 1944 only to be released by his Bn in Germany in 1945 up near Lubeck.
dbf, Owen, much thanks for your help. I think a POW questionnaire must exists as Englandphil very quickly located Albert's POW details for me. Service records are not a possibility as I'm not a direct descendant, meaning MoD will sadly have to forego it's 30 quid and I have to wait till they become public domain, although there's a good chance I won't be around then.
Keith, Are you in touch with any of the nearest next of Kin or similar? If so you can get them to provide the permission for obtaining the service record. Just a thought. Regards Tom
Sad to say the family lost touch with his children long ago, I've not heard from Albert or his children since I moved to Hollland more than 30 years ago. Drew5233, Albert died in 1998 at the time he was living in Islington.
dbf, Owen, much thanks for your help. I think a POW questionnaire must exists as Englandphil very quickly located Albert's POW details for me. Keith, Sadly this is not guaranteed, but it really is worth having the archives checked in my opinion. Questions as I said, include date of enlistment, as well as date and place of capture, camps and corresponding dates, whether injured when taken, and anything about treatment. Not that - even if the form is there - all parts were completed ... still, better to know than to wonder. Given that your chances of getting records are so slim, this seems to be the best / quickest option to get these few details... and a bonus: it will be completed in his own hand-writing, which I always find provides a personal link to the individual concerned. Regards and best of luck, Diane
Any suggestion as to his medal ribbons are? Looks like 39-45 Star & Italy Star I'm open to correction. 1939–45 Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Italy Star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia On other photos posted on the forum the light blue of the 39-45 Star looks white on old B&W photos.
Keith, My ggf was also at Anzio. He was captured on May 29 , 1944 and interred in Germany - in Stalag VB and Stalag VIIA. According to the Red Cross, he was not imprisoned in Italy. Roxy