Good evening folks, I'd appreciate some help in finding a Kriegie prisoner by the name of John Murrell who I believe was held at Stalag 357 during 1943. This is all the information I have on this man other than he was a keen portrait painter during his time in captivity. Many thanks, Jon
I have a Sgt. J E. Murrell held at 357, POW No, 9595 On 10/11 September 1941 his aircraft of 35 Squadron, Halifax I L9566 TL-R was lost on a raid to Torino. The crew of seven were all taken POW.
POW info in the lists: First Name: J E Last Name: Murrell Regt / Unit: RAF Soldier Number: 801497 POW Number: 9595 Camp: Stalag 357 There are a couple other Murrell's in the lists, a J.R. in Royal Signals, and a R.J.L. in Royal Artillery but neither show camp 357. A Liberation Questionnaire, if one was completed will help clarify matters. Wayne
Hi only just found this website. My father was John Edmund Murrell and the POW that you are looking for. How can I help? Frances
Hi Frances, I've sent a message to Jon/Lugs via the forum's personal messaging facility. He hasn't logged on the forum since last year though, so he may not even get his notification. In the meantime, welcome to the forum and I hope you can share something about your father's experiences Regards Diane
I'm still here..... Francis, its wonderful that you have got in touch, I'm at work today but I will endeavour to get back tomorrow and let you know where your father links in. all the best for now, cheers, Jon (lugs)
Hi all Great to hear from you all. Yes, we also have copy of his liberation questionnaire. We found this in Kew at the National Archives a few years back. Hugely informative. Looking forward to hearing from Jon as to why he was looking for him. As for the cartoon, don't think this was his but I definately remember him referring to Bob Martin. I have a few oil paintings that he did whilst he was a POW that I will post once I have heard from Jon tomorrow.
These names are known to me also, both Martin and Morton are mentioned in my Father's POW log. The style of that drawing is the same as those in the Yorkshire Post, Kriegie Edition and the artist is likely to be the same as many of those mentioned are also from Yorkshire. I will look up the book and see if your Father is mentioned. Regards, Nick
Hello Francis, I was approached by a repuatable book publisher around 3 years ago with an aim to republishing a book of poems written by my grandfather Ron Mogg, a book of poems written in captivity as a Kregie prisoner in Stalag Luft III during 1943 and reproduced as a facsimilie sent from the camps. It was news to the publishing company that there were two separate books of poems and it was decided to republish them in one new volume complete with the lithograph prints of fellow Kreigie J. W. Lambert which appeared in the original. I played a small part in the book design and with kind thanks to fellow forum members we included extracts from other Kreigies and their log books, we wanted to make sure that every contribution was acknowledged hence the search for John Murrell. The book 'For This Alone & other poems' was published in October 2014. I write this message whilst looking at a portrait of my grandfather, a portrait painted whilst in captivity during 1943 at Stalag Luft III, the artist is your father Francis. Our family has treasured this painting for 70 years and whilst the new book contains the B&W copy from ‘Time To Stand and Stare’ the original hangs proudly on our sitting room wall. Recently a concert program from Stalag Luft III came to light, the Kreigies put on ‘Aladin’ during January 1943. The program lists all the cast and behind the scenes crew and John Murrell is credited with the ‘scenery’. Now it just so happens that my grandfather sent many photographs of ‘concerts’ home and although I cannot say for certain that ‘Aladin’ appears in any of these photographs but the scenery can be seen and was no doubt painted by your father. I look forward to hearing from you soon kind regards, Jon
Yep that's the one Nick, I've got a copy of the program, I need to seek permission before I post an image though. Jon
Yep that's the one Nick, I've got a copy of the program, I need to seek permission before I post an image though. Jon
Not wishing to steel the thread, l would like to speak to you both on the subject of the camp bands, the Johnny Fender and Stan Parris bands, one of which is mentioned on the poster, as l want to write about them on my web site as they followed the same route as our Father's. There was rivalry between them but only to the extent of two rugby clubs at home today, but they played such an important part in camp life and morale that they demand special recognition. They should also be recognised for the part they played in assisting the escape committees through distractions, allowing tunnels under the theatre but also, through the productions and artisty, providing escape clothing and forged documents. I am in touch with both Johnny's and Stan's 'kids' so will pull what l can together but what can you both add? BTW, there are a few photos of Aladin on my web site which l also have. Regards, Nick
Not sure what if anything I can add to this Nick but I've a number of 'postcards' reproduced from concert photographs and sent from the camps and I also have many of the concert photographs you have plus a few which don't appear on your site, plus there is a collection of photographs which look like Ron Mogg had intended for 'Sergeant Escapers' but never made it to print I'll have a look and get back to you. cheers, jon
Hi, this is amazing!! Very happy to have seen this picture and can definitely say that we would,have given you permission to publish. I have never seen a copy of the portrait but as you can guess, my father was an accomplished artist. He painted most weekends, whilst we were growing up and actually until his death in 1983. He wrote some short memoirs that I will dig out that detail his time in the camps. Other names from his POW time are Frank Hunt (a musician), Larry Slattery (the first POW I think and my brothers godfather), Roy Dotrice..and Cal Younger (who only died about 18 months ago). I don't have any pictures of scenery that he painted so would be really interested to see this. My father used to receive the Kriegie magazine that Cal published until a few years ago. My father also donated items including the attached painting to Hendon Museum. The painting is now part of a public foundation for oil paintings and you can view it on the web. I have done a large amount of research into his time in the POW so will be able to add more in the next few weeks. By the way, Nick, I can't remember hearing him talk about the bands in the POW camp. Thanks again Frances
