Grandad was a POW. 4459605 Richard JAMES, DLI

The badly wounded men were repatriated in 43 at the same time as Medical Personnel like Percy. The cards would have remained in Germany.

However, according to the National Archives website men did use the cards after the war as the basis for pension claims. The cards were not returned after that and remain missing from the archives. I suspect that is possibly what happened to my own great grandad’s card is it does not appear in the files at Kew.

 

Thanks. Yes I have read that too. Never has the word research felt more appropriate a term lol

 

It’s a steep learning curve that’s for sure. I started my own journey 7 years ago today when I first went to Stirling Castle to see my great grandad’s YMCA logbook. Ever since then the good people of WW2 Talk have been helping me navigate through all the many labyrinths of research I’ve ended up in!

 

I definitely have the caught the bug! And yes, this forum has helped me enormously already and boosted my enthusiasm to keep me motivated to keep on searchin'! I have just found information about my great Uncle from my mam's side! I have found a photo for him.

 

Do you have access to the British Newspaper Archive? It is a subscription service but up here in Aberdeen at least, the libraries allow you access for free. I've used it a lot for researching Prisoners as their capture and repatriation was often covered in the local press. You can also find photos of groups of men from various camps by putting in the name into the search engine - e.g. "Stalag IXC" and filtering it for photos only. We also get Ancestry and Find My Past at the Library which can also sometimes be useful. Worth looking into it.

Also - have you tried these guys? Durham Light Infantry (DLI) regiment collection - Durham County Council

 

Amongst the PoWs repatriated in 1944 were listed three DLI soldiers.
4452413 L/Cpl J J Dodds 9th DLI
4459605 Cpl R James 6th DLI
4465646 Pte A Pike 16th DLI
Whilst I know all three feature briefly on the `Behind the Wire` Section on Jim`s website, theres a more detailed story of Alfred Pike (told to the local newspaper) on Tom Tunneys 16th DLI Website.
Repatriated 16 DLI POW

Perhaps member `Cpl Hadaway` may know more?

Just to avoid any confusion in your research theres another PoW Pte R James but this one is 4268766 Pte R James he served with 9th DLI captured on 28th June 1942. A former Northumberland Fusilier he earned a TEM and Bar (Presented 1946 and 1947) whilst with the 9th DLI. Just for information should you come across him.

Kyle

 

Hi,
WOW! Guess where I went this afternoon and where I am going again tomorrow? The library!!! Thanks so much for the info re ancestory.com and findmypast.com. it is a national subscription and I can access all you mention above during a library visit.

I went late and so had minimum time searching today but looking forward to tomorrow.

Can you tell me what type/level of membership the libraries subscribe to? My first time with it but I didn't feel I got much more back from my searches than I do at home. Of course highly likely lack of hits on the information I actually wanted was down to it being my first time on the websites.

I am sure I will get on better tomorrow!
Karen

 

For the BNA it is unlimited. I’ve also noticed that any article you open at the library is available when you log in at home even if you don’t have a subscription. I bookmark useful articles I find at the library and download them at home.

As for Ancestry and FMP I’m not sure. I have full Ancestry package already although I’ve noticed they’ve started to charge for files from Fold3 which are often military. With FMP you can do the same as with BNA - any record you open can be viewed when you get home.

 

Hi Kyle,

Blown away by this info. I just posting my appreciation and then I am going to back to researching in depth.

Can you please tell me more about the video Behind the Lines.

I am so chuffed because this is exactly what I had worked out in my info jig-war. It just made sense and you are confirming it.

I bloody love this forum!

 

Hi everyone,

I have attached an image of my Grandad. He is in uniform on the left hand side of the photo. I was wondering if anyone recognises anyone in the photo, particularly those with links or knowledge of DLI. I have no idea about anything else in the photo so any help will be greatly appreciated as always.

 

Karen,

It`s not a video it`s a section of his DLI Website "Behind the Wire` (Deals with DLI PoWs and associated topics)

Take a look here Karen ,Jim believes this may be your Grandfather ?



Kyle

 

Kyle that is him!!! Thank you so much. I put a picture of my grandad and 2 other soldiers. Can you ask Jim if he recognises anyone else on the photo please. Tell Jim thank you very much. From my sister too, she started off on this journey. She is delighted to have a photo at last. We would love to know any other info he has about my grandad. This is amazing. X

 

Just a couple of bits to add to previous posts:

This is Cpl R James, 4459605, in consecutive Army number sequence with other known DLI casualties, see below. The man with the Army number next to his,

Jarvis, Pte John Thomas, 4459606, 6 DLI.

was interviewed at length by the Imperial War Museum and thus could have been literally standing next to him as a recruit on the day his Army number was issued. Thus we've possibly got their common story up to the point that this fellow recruit was taken POW several months before Cpl James.

Clink on the link below and the interview can be listened to for free on the IWM site.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80016179

I haven't listened to the interview myself yet, but there's just a chance Jarvis may mention James....

I've pasted part of the IWM interview content summary below within the listing.

Also the book by Harry Moses on 6th DLI The Faithful, Six is highly recommended and should be easy to find in the usual online places. It also draws on the IWM DLI interviews, many of which he conducted back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The book also has a Roll of Honour and Awards section.

Regarding other repatriated DLI POWs, Pte Alfred Pike, referred to in a previous post, was one of six 16 DLI casualties from the Sedjenane Battle of Feb-March 1943 in Tunisia, who were later repatriated from Germany before the end of the war, not all in the same group. Obviously the Battle of Marenth seriously wounded DLI casualties would have followed a similar path, from Tunisia to Italy and Germany.

Brief consecutive numbers extract follows.

Holmes, Pte L, 4459600, 1 DLI.
Reported wounded, Cyrenaica, 10/11/41.

Hopwood, Pte G, 4459601, 6 DLI.
Reported missing believed POW, Egypt, 28/6/42.
POW at PG 75, Italy in 1943.
Previously reported POW, now in a neutral country (1943 list).
Previously reported in Neutral Country, now arrived in United Kingdom (1944 list).

Hunter, T, 4459603, 6 DLI.
Reported wounded, Middle East, Western Desert, date not reported, circa 9/42.

Jackson, Pte J, 4459604, 6 DLI.
Reported wounded, Middle East, 2/11/42.

James, Cpl R, 4459605, 6 DLI.
Reported missing, North Africa, 21-23/3/43.
Previously reported POW, now reported wounded and POW.
Previously reported wounded and POW in German hands, now repatriated (1944 list).
Held in Italy at H 206.

Jarvis, Pte John Thomas, 4459606, 6 DLI.
From Spennymoor, Co Durham. Served in 6 DLI, from mid-1940. Captured Mersa Matruh.
Reported missing believed POW, Middle East, Egypt, 28/6/42.
Escaped from Italian POW camp PG 73 at Italian Armistice in 9/43 and regained Allied lines.
Interviewed by IWM:
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80016179

British private served with Durham Light Infantry Depot in GB, 1939-1940; private and NCO served with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, Cyprus, Iraq and North Africa, 1940-1942; POW in North Africa and Italy, 1942-1943; escaped and served with Italian Partisans in Italy, 1943- 1945; NCO served in GB, 1945-1946
Content description

REEL 1 Background in Spennymoor and West Auckland, GB, 1919- 1939: reason for move to West Auckland; family; family home; food including allotment; clothing; problems in area; closeness of community; leisure activities; drink brought home by father; discipline at home and school; education; trips with Salvation Army and church choir; reason for not attending a boys organisation; theft of cider while working in brewery; work on farm; reasons for taking job at colliery.

REEL 2 Continues: pay and working week at brewery; work in building trade at Catterick; attempt to join Navy; outbreak of war; reactions to start of war; process of joining army and posting in Spennymoor. Aspects of period as private with Durham Light Infantry Depot in GB, 11/1939-6/1940: issue of uniform and rifle; method of keeping crease in trousers; selection of stickman from guard; opinion of basic training; story of extended physical training; opinion and details of rations including supplements to rations; details of pay; accommodation and sleeping arrangements; morning procedures; breakfast; story of Andrew Maddison; kit inspections; details of route marches including foot inspections; relationship with civilians; replacement of lost kit; layout of kit for inspection; field training; opinion of weapons training; foot drill.

REEL 3 Continues: learning of drill; opinion of NCOs; punishment for returning late from leave; taking to army life; selection for mortar training; make-up of mortar platoon; firing of 3" mortar and transport of platoon including problems with 3" mortar; speed of firing mortar; knowledge of each other's jobs; opinion of training; guard duties; story of guard turned out for postman; comradeship; request for Far East volunteers; posting in Esh Winning; accommodation; opinion of Bren gun; bayonet training and opinion of bayonet; influence of First World War in training; opinion and firing of Boys anti-tank rifle; reactions following Dunkirk.

REEL 4 Continues: posting to 6th Battalion. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 6/1940-5/1941: coastal defence duties at Weymouth; accommodation; time at Hartlepool with Holding Battalion; schemes; air activity; opinions and memories of officers and NCOs; state of battalion; attitude and settling in of Scottish reinforcements; relationship with civilians; summary of time in Devon and Dorset; reactions to posting abroad. Aspects of journey from Gourock, GB, to Port Tewfiq, Egypt, aboard the Duchess of Richmond, 5/1941-7/1941: events during voyage; sleeping arrangements; relationship with RAF onboard; sleeping on deck; climate; lectures including warnings about VD; bumboats in Freetown harbour; reception on arrival in Durban; leisure activities inland; offer to stay in South Africa; parade in Durban; chances for promotion; conditions for officers and troops below decks.

REEL 5 Continues: weather and activities on voyage beyond Durban; impressions of Suez Canal. Aspects of period in transit through Egypt, 7/1941: hospitalisation in Ismailia; health of battalion; acclimatisation; training with mortar platoon; problems with mortar base plate; more on firing of 3" mortar; transport of ammunition; relationship with civilians; facilities at Qassassin camp; journey to Famagusta including description of ship. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Cyprus, 7/1941-11/1941: impressions of Cyprus; description of cabarets; problems with alcohol; airfield defences dug; driving course taken in Kyrenia; camp for displaced persons; relationship with civilians; accommodation and problems with scorpions; climate; details of mortar platoon; dying down of invasion scare; rations; visits to sea; firing of rifles in dancehalls.

REEL 6 Continues: leisure activities; VD lectures and centres; story of visit to brothel; VD inspections; importance of mail; concerns during service. Aspects of journey from Cyprus to Northern Iraq, 11/1941: journey to Haifa; visit to Tel Aviv; story of corned beef sold in Haifa; opinion of chances against Germans in Iraq and shortcomings in equipment; terrain in Transjordan and Iraq; journey through Baghdad; daily routine; accommodation; stops on journey including reasons for not being allowed out in Kirkuk; attempts of civilians to steal from tents. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Iraq, 11/1941- 2/1942: arrival at destination and conditions in Iraq; opinion of posting in Iraq; rations; accommodation; rum ration; promotion to lance corporal; memories of Lieutenant Maurice Kirby; activities of platoon; terrain; role in Iraq; football competition; hunting and Christmas celebrations including opinions of church parades; cooking of meals; methods of keeping warm; return from Iraq and knowledge of destination.

REEL 7 Continues: boredom of journey to desert; journey through Biblical lands; terrain; visit to a kibbutz in Palestine; journey through Egypt and Cairo. Aspects of operations as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 2/1943-6/1942: minefields around box; luxury rations; nights in desert; actions when lost at night; latrines; make-up of troops on outpost; story of first outpost duty; names of and routes to posts; details of minefields; feeling of impregnability; memories of Lieutenant Colonel Battiscombe; Italian aircraft shot down; accommodation; death of soldier visiting latrine; camouflage of vehicles; water ration; washing of clothes; uniform worn; cleanliness; cooking of meals; treatment of water; oil in wells; discussion of battalion's health and rations including visits of NAAFI; relationship with officers and knowledge of situation; problems with flies.

REEL 8 Continues: sleeping; routine duties; leisure activities; cleaning of weapons; freedom of movement; proximity of opposing troops; details of Jock Columns; contact with South African troops; superior equipment of German Army and opinion of Australian troops; cover taken from sandstorms; details of mail; troops suffering from service; preparations for breakout; events leading up to breakout; story of Junkers Ju 87 Stukas seen near Tobruk; positions taken by battalion; appearance of Germans and capture. Aspects of period as POW in North Africa, 1942: reactions to capture; conditions in camp outside Tripoli; clothes wearing on capture; attempts of troops to escape; sleeping arrangements; rations; problems with hygiene; treatment from guards; organisation in camp............see the IWM site for continuation of summary

Jobling, Cpl C, 4459607, 1 TS, Black Watch.
Reported wounded, NW Europe, 29/7/44.

Kennedy, Sgt Douglas 4459612, 16 DLI.
Reported killed in action, Italy, bn not specified.
Died 6/12/43, serving with 16 DLI, aged 26. Son of Thomas and Jane Ellen Kennedy, of South Shields, Co Durham; husband of Elsie Kennedy, of South Shields. Cassino War Cemetery, Italy, VII B 18.

Knight, Pte Thomas, 4459614, 1 DLI.
Reported missing, Middle East, 15/5/41.
Presumed died of wounds, on or shortly after 15/5/41.
Died 15/5/41, serving with 1 DLI, aged 21. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Knight, of Stobhillgate, Morpeth, Northumberland. Alamein Memorial, Column 69.

 

The Faithful Sixth the title should be....

 

Thank you so much for this Cpl Hadaway. I have got a copy of the Faithful Sixth out of the local library. I think I have found an exert that relates to my Grandad straight away. I have been listening to the recordings you mentioned but havent found any direct reference to my grandad yet but only halfway through.

I was wondering if anyone knows what happened to wounded POWs? My Grandad lost his leg. I doubt it would have healed very well given the conditions in camp but does anyone know if he would have remained in the prison ward? He would have been in the hospital in Italy then again I suspect he went to the Lazarett in Stalag 344, Lamsdorf.

I think he is on this photograph that is linked to the news that the hospital site has just been found and artefacts have been found that belonged to the patient prisoners. Does anyone know if it would be possible to enhance the photo in this article please?

Archeologists uncover hospital artifacts at notorious PoW camp - Legion Magazine



Archeologists uncover hospital artifacts at notorious PoW camp - Legion Magazine

 

Karen there is a larger version of the same photograph here:-

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...d_surgical_patients_Stalag_344-E_Feb_1944.jpg

If it helps?

Kyle

 

Hi Kyle,

Yes I had found the larger version. I really think it is my Grandad, especially when you compare the photo you posted earlier (the one Jim thinks is my Grandad) and this one. If we call the front row, row 1, I think he could be on row 3, 6th in from the right. What do you think/does Jim agree?

Also, my Grandad lost a leg, I have traced his injury to a mine explosion. He was part of Company C, 6th Battalion, and I think he could have been wounded on 21st March but chance 22nd March 1943. I know his buddy stood on a mine and he was killed. My Grandad was injured and had to play dead to try and evade capture. He did end up a Prisoner of War in Italy. He was also transferred to Germany and spent time in Stalag 344. I am trying to find out whether he would have stayed in the hospital wards until his repatriation. Anyone got any ideas on how I could find out?

 

Hello Karen,

I asked him (Jim) hes non -committal on the photograph of the PoWs I`m afraid . Sorry. He did say `C` Company 6th DLI suffered very heavy casualties at Mareth and virtually ceased to exist mid-point in the battle.
Sorry it doesnt help a lot.

Kyle

 

Hi Karen ,
I have access to the archive that Harry Moses used to write the Faithful sixth Book and the Diaries of Col Bill Watson , CO of 6 DLI , i'll have a look and see if i can glean any further information for you .

Regards

Paul

 

Hi Paul,
Thank you so much, I truly appreciate all this help. This is so exciting. I have patched together such a lot since I found this forum. Slowly but surely I am tracing my Grandad's journey through World War 2! I have a feeling that there are some references in the book that could be linked to my Grandad already so I am really hopeful you will find more.