Researching my dad in WW2

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Boroman, Aug 19, 2010.

  1. Boroman

    Boroman Junior Member

    Hi, I've only just joined this forum but have been researching my dad's story for a couple of years. Sadly he died last year so I can't ask him any more questions. I'm interested in finding out about anyone who was in the Battle of Dunkirk, especially if they were in 2nd Battalion the Lincolnshire Regiment. Also, anyone who was captured and spent the war as a POW. Dad was in one of the Stalag VIIIB work camps, E22 in Sosnica, and spent more than 4 years being forced to work down a coal mine. And finally, anyone who was on one of the long marches at the end of the war. My dad's name was Ron Bowley.
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello and welcome to the forum.

    Have you considered applying for your fathers service records from the MOD ?

    I would highly recommend getting Sean Longden's Dunkirk-The men they left behind. A must read for anyone interested in knowing about the men who became PoW's in 1940 France.

    I think Ramacal (Rob) has that Battalions War Diary.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  3. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    Welcome to the Forum,
    firstly have you applied for a copy of your dads Service Record.

    I have him listed in 1944 as E R Bowley 4802342 POW No 15570. St.344
    According to a War Crimes File E22 was at Ohrigen in 1941. Work Camps changed locations from time to time though.

    Brian

    Hi, I've only just joined this forum but have been researching my dad's story for a couple of years. Sadly he died last year so I can't ask him any more questions. I'm interested in finding out about anyone who was in the Battle of Dunkirk, especially if they were in 2nd Battalion the Lincolnshire Regiment. Also, anyone who was captured and spent the war as a POW. Dad was in one of the Stalag VIIIB work camps, E22 in Sosnica, and spent more than 4 years being forced to work down a coal mine. And finally, anyone who was on one of the long marches at the end of the war. My dad's name was Ron Bowley.
     
  4. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum nice to see you are being looked after already.
     
  5. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Hello and welcome to the forum.

    Good luck with your research.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  6. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    The Lamsdorf March started on the 22nd & 23rd January 1945. It covered a Distance of 280kms to Gorlitz.

    Of the two parties the second was better provisioned.
     
  7. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    welcome to the forum
     
  8. Boroman

    Boroman Junior Member

    Hi, thanks, I am going to apply to Glasgow for his record. Probably should have mentioned that I've got quite a lot of information already (so may be able to help other people), including a couiple of Sean Longden books. I also visited E22 with my dad last year. The Battalion war diary sounds interesting.

    Regards, Ian
     
  9. Boroman

    Boroman Junior Member

    Sorry, thought I was only replying to Drew5233 (Andy). I know that dad was not on the march leaving Lamsdorf and that there were lots of marches. He did follow what I think was the southern route, which passed through Sosnica on January 22/23. I have found out that the route took them through Baborow and Krnov, by which time there was a column of more than 2,000 men.

    Many thanks to all who have replied so far.

    Regards, Ian
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I would add 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment to the title and I suspect you will get a bit more interest.
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Just found this little bit on them but nothing significant from the Phoney War period:

    My commanding officer would march at the head of the company, and all the little French children would stand to attention and salute as we went by, and the commanding officer would always return the salute to the little kids.


    Forgotten Voices of Dunkirk
     
  12. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Ian

    A belated welcome and glad to see that you are in good hands.

    Regards

    Ron
     
  13. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum and good luck with your research :)
     
  14. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Hi Boroman and welcome.

    Here is a link to my account on photobucket. I've uploaded the 53 pages from the war diaries of the 2nd Lincolns for May & June 1940. They are handwritten and not easy to read.

    2 LINCOLNS pictures by rahonour3947 - Photobucket

    Regards - Rob
     
  15. WhiskeyGolf

    WhiskeyGolf Senior Member

    Hi Ian and welcome to the forum. Good luck with your research.
    WG
     
  16. jamesmurrow

    jamesmurrow Senior Member

    Welcome to the site Ian, help on the way very quickly eh, as I found out and plenty of other info, jus need time to look through it all.
    All the best with your research
    James
     
  17. Boroman

    Boroman Junior Member

    Ramacal - thanks very much for doing that - I'll have a look over the weekend.

    Drew5233 - just tried to follow your advice but could not work out how to add something to the title of my post. Will I have to re-post it?

    Off now but will be back tomorrow.

    Regards,

    Ian
     
  18. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum

    Cheers
    Paul
     
  19. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Just a word of advice. Apply for your Dad's Army Service Records, but be aware that they advise it will take 8 months and send you a form if you want to complain......
    I realise the issues with old documents aren't a high priority, but 8 months is a little rich.

    I thought that a lot of injured servicemen who wanted to stay in the Army while being rehabilitated might find this work a good therapy and challenge whilst being assessed etc. I feel sure they want to feel appreciated and still of use. This would be a suitable recovery method surely, bringing badly wanted details to other families?
     
  20. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

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