I am trying to find out where my father Vivian Vickers - (South African) was taken to once he was a POW . I think he was a Staff Sargeant in the Medics . His service number was either 103513 or 103613 (taken from the back of his medals) I know he was somewhere in Italy at one stage but could have been taken elsewhere after that. I only have records of him in North Africa in Capuzzo Dec 1941-Jan1942 and Bardia Jan1942.
Hi evthomas Welcome to the forum. The info for him as a POW in Germany is : V Vickers in the UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 Name: V Vickers Rank: S/Sgt. Army Number: 103513 POW Number: 223540 Camp Type: Stalag Camp Number: 4B Camp Location: Muhlberg (Elbe), Germany Section: South African Land Forces : Officers and Other Ranks He may also have information as a POW in Italy which I do not have, but I am sure others will have TD edited to add: Is this the same man - from an Ancestry family tree Vivian Vickers 1917–1983 BIRTH 07 FEB 1917 • Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa DEATH 19 AUG 1983 • Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Hi, He appears in the listing WO392/21, a file held in the British National Archives; as being held at Camp 85, Tuturano near Brindisi. This listing gives the location of POW's as of August 1943. It is known to contain errors, but I thought you would like to see your father's entry, here: Of course, he could well of been held at other camps before August 1943. Hopefully, other forum members with more detailed knowledge will be along shortly to help further. Good luck going forward. Steve
Thank you both so much for your quick response, I am overwhelmed by the amount of information you have given me in such a short time. I have only just started researching my father's journey, and am amazed that with the small amount of information I had, I have received so much from you. Yes this is indeed my father who was born and died in Durban , South Africa. My eldest brother was of the opinion that my father was a POW in Italy, Germany and then he was under the impression that he may have been in Russia. I am not sure if that is possible. Ev
Hi Ev The Russian connection is a possibility. Late 1944 and into 1945 the Russians were battling/driving westwards and did free some POW camps, these repatriated POW's were then either shipped to Odessa before shipping back to UK or their home country, or were handed back to the Allies at the end of hostilities in a 'swap' for Russians that were in Allied hands. TD
Thank you for that TD, I will look into that. I know a great Aunt looked after my father in the UK until he was strong enough to return to South Africa. She didnt want my mother to see how emaciated he had become. Ev
Hi, You also need to keep an eye on the Red Cross website as they are part way through a digitisation project to make WW2 records searchable for free on the internet - same as WW1 records in 2014. Your father may have completed a Liberated POW Questionnaire on his arrival in UK. They are not available on the internet - only hard copies on UK National Archives - but some members offer a look up service. If required I suggest you start a new topic. Good Luck Steve Y
I have him on my list for my next visit to Kew in a couple of weeks time and will pull his Liberation Questionnaire as this will give you most of the info you need to start with. I do have to tell you that not everyone completed one and l have not had much luck with South African POW's over the years. Regards, Nick
Thanks for your advice Steve, I will go onto the Red Cross Website and see what I can find. Nick, I look forward to hearing from you as to whether he did fill out a Liberation Questionnaire. I really appreciate your help. Regards Ev
Having recently returned from Durban, South Africai I found the attached POW parcel Post receipt issued by the SA Red Cross amongst my late mothers things. I recall my mother telling me as a child that her brother, Harold Bert Stride had been a POW. He was born in Southampton c1913 but would have joined up in Durban, South Africa as they emmigrated in 1925. Can anyone assist in trying to find any details of where and when he may have been captured and imprisoned. This must have been quiet a trying timefor my grand mother as she had previously lost 5 brothers, one on the Titanic and four during WW1. Thanks
Kemson, I will add your Uncle to my list but could l suggest that you start a thread on your Uncle and l am sure people will be along to help. There is obviously quite a story here. Regards, Nick
Kemson For info, assume this is your man: H B Stride in the UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 Name: H B Stride Rank: Spr. Army Number: 5835 POW Number: 223715 Camp Type: Stalag Camp Number: 4B Camp Location: Muhlberg (Elbe), Germany Section: South African Land Forces : Officers and Other Ranks TD edited to add: There is another Stride from South Africa who was a POW: Name: H Stride Rank: Cpl. Army Number: 17351 POW Number: 223355 Camp Type: Stalag Camp Number: 357 Camp Location: Kopernikus, Poland Section: South African Land Forces : Officers and Other Ranks
View attachment 212073 View attachment 212073 View attachment 212073 Hi Tricky Dicky, thanks for the info, the first one was correct. According to my mom, he was a very happy go lucky person when he left, but when he returned he was a different person and became quite introverted. While going through my mom's belongings after she passed, I found this POW parcel post receipt in amongst her things which I assume was for him. Once again thanks. Brian Mason
