Albert Whatton, 1st Duke's

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Shredie, Dec 8, 2009.

  1. Shredie

    Shredie Member

    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?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    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.
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  4. Shredie

    Shredie Member

    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.
     
  5. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    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
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Shredie,

    How long ago did he pass away?

    Regards
    Andy
     
  7. Shredie

    Shredie Member

    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.
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I only asked as you don't need Next of Kin consent if they have been dead for over 25 years.
     
  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    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
     
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  11. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Looks like 39-45 and Africa Star to me.
     
  12. Roxy

    Roxy Senior Member

    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
     

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