Towards the Swiss Borders. Looking for Allied POWs

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by Varasc, Mar 5, 2011.

  1. Varasc

    Varasc Senior Member

    Good afternoon,


    I am looking for records, data and above all contact, regarding some former POW escaped from Northern Italian camps during the WWII.
    This research is mainly focused on:

    Allied POW who escaped and tried to reach the Swiss Borders, through the Italian Western Alps and the Aosta Valley, during the whole WWII.

    During a previous research, concerning the crashed bomber I found in 2009 at more than 2800 meters on the sea level, I bought a pamphlet, written in 1945. This described several events and clashes from the Resistence period, also talking about some escaped POW (Australian, British, New Zealanders) who, helped from the mountain people, were trying to reach the Swiss borders while the plane crashed.
    I would like to know more. I read many books about the "freedom trails", but still nothing about escape routes through the Aosta Valley.

    Three of these former POW came from Great Britain (the Priest who wrote the pamphlet was not able to write in English):

    John Monk, 6025940, Naplo Cottage, Northumberland Ane, London;
    Edmond Lochelt, 152248, 59 Batmanlt, Cambridge, England;
    Charles Bradford, 6915262, London.

    I would like to find more about them and, if possible, to contact their families. May I kindly ask for your help, please?
    I may provide you more data, of course, if needed.
    Best regards,

    Marco
     
  2. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

  3. Vitesse

    Vitesse Senior Member

    Edmond Lochelt, 152248, 59 Batmanlt, Cambridge, England;
    I think this address should actually be 59 Bateman Street, Cambridge. Which throws up something interesting, as in 1939-41(?) it was apparently the home of the German refugee scientist Marthe Vogt:

    http://rsbm.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/51/409.full.pdf
     
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    All three seem to have survived

    Assuming that the numbers quoted are Army Regimental no.s they correspond with the following Regiments. This is not to say that they served with these units at the time of their capture, just that they originally enlisted with those units:

    John Monk - 6025940 - Essex Regiment (5998001 - 6076000)

    Charles Bradford - 6915262 - The Rifle Brigade (6905001 - 6972000)

    152248 - ??

    Army block numbers from this thread:
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/searching-someone-military-genealogy/8564-army-number-block-allocations.html
     
  5. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Marco,

    These are the men according to the record WO392/21 held at our National Archive in London:

    Rifleman 6915262 C.J.P. Bradford Rifle Brigade held in Camp 59 Servigliano (near Piceno)

    Driver 152284 E. T. Lockett R.A.S.C. held in Camp 53 Sforza Costa (near Macerata)

    Pte. 6025940 S. Monk Essex Regiment held also in Camp 53.

    These lists are for the POW's location in August 1943.

    Hope these attached documents help you in some way?

    Steve.
     

    Attached Files:

    Owen likes this.
  6. Varasc

    Varasc Senior Member

    Dear all,

    I really have to thank you for these first efforts - very kind from you.
    Englandphil, thanks for this article from BBC!, I know the history of Major Alistair Macdonald very well... Because, what a coincidence!, I live in Biella, in Piedmont. So I know Trivero, Andorno Micca, Gressoney-Saint-Jean and all the other places described here. I also found several books talking about this, above all the ones from Malcolm Tudor.

    Dear Bamboo43, thank you for these three sheets, very interesting. Now I know where these three POW were located, in Italy. I suppose they escaped after the Armistice in September, 1943.
    The problem is, while I found several records from the Australian Archives and War Memorial (for the other former POW, I mean), I still have no news about these three Englishmen. I would like to try to write to their last addresses, trying to find a member of their families. I know this could seem vane and unreal, but during my last research I found three families on five, from the crew members of "my" bomber.

    If you desire, I may also post the whole list of former POW, taken from the 1945 manuscript.
     
  7. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    BORN
    Name: Charles J P Bradford
    Mother's Maiden Surname: Swain
    Date of Registration: Apr May Jun 1918
    Registration district: Camberwell
    Registration county: Greater London

    MARRIED
    Name: Charles J P Bradford
    Spouse Name: Patricia M Nash
    Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1949
    Registration district: Deptford
    Registration county (inferred): London

    DIED
    Name: Charles John P Bradford
    Birth Date: 8 Mar 1918
    Death Registration Month/Year: Dec 1989
    Age at death (estimated): 71
    Registration district: Hastings and Rother
    Inferred County: East Sussex

    WIFES DEATH
    Name: Patricia May Bradford
    Birth Date: 18 Nov 1923
    Death Registration Month/Year: Feb 2002
    Age at death (estimated): 78
    Registration district: Hastings and Rother
    Inferred County: East Sussex
     
  8. Varasc

    Varasc Senior Member

    Great - May I ask your source? Electoral rolls or birth and death indexes?
     
  9. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    Great - May I ask your source? Electoral rolls or birth and death indexes?

    A mixture of various sources, Birth, marriage and Death records etc. I could get a 2002 address for Patrica May Bradford, but she was shown as living alone, and I cant find a trace for any children.
     
  10. Varasc

    Varasc Senior Member

    A mixture of various sources, Birth, marriage and Death records etc. I could get a 2002 address for Patrica May Bradford, but she was shown as living alone, and I cant find a trace for any children.

    Maybe I could try to contact the local media (press, historical associations etc.) to finde some relative...
    Just for instance, my grandmother's sister died in 2004 without any children, but me and my family, we are still here. :)
     
  11. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Marco,

    The WO392/21 lists do have some other Allied and Commonwealth servicemen present, so if you post all the names I can look for you.

    Steve.
     
  12. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    BORN
    Name: Charles J P Bradford
    Mother's Maiden Surname: Swain
    Date of Registration: Apr May Jun 1918
    Registration district: Camberwell
    Registration county: Greater London

    MARRIED
    Name: Charles J P Bradford
    Spouse Name: Patricia M Nash
    Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1949
    Registration district: Deptford
    Registration county (inferred): London

    DIED
    Name: Charles John P Bradford
    Birth Date: 8 Mar 1918
    Death Registration Month/Year: Dec 1989
    Age at death (estimated): 71
    Registration district: Hastings and Rother
    Inferred County: East Sussex

    WIFES DEATH
    Name: Patricia May Bradford
    Birth Date: 18 Nov 1923
    Death Registration Month/Year: Feb 2002
    Age at death (estimated): 78
    Registration district: Hastings and Rother
    Inferred County: East Sussex

    Charles Bradford, had five brothers and sisters.

    Name: George E Bradford
    Birth: Oct Nov Dec 1921 - Camberwell, Greater London

    Name: Lilian J Bradford
    Birth: Oct Nov Dec 1923 - Camberwell, Greater London

    Name: Rosina S Bradford
    Birth: Oct Nov Dec 1923 - Camberwell, Greater London

    Name: Constance T Bradford
    Birth: Apr May Jun 1927 - Camberwell, Greater London

    Name: James W Bradford
    Birth: Apr May Jun 1927 - Camberwell, Greater London

    In 1944 Rosina married Albert Stass

    Name: Rosina S Bradford
    Spouse name: Albert G Stass
    Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1944
    Registration district: Greenwich
    Registration county (inferred): Kent

    Albert served with the RAF and was sadly KIA on the 9th April 1945

    Name: STASS, ALBERT GEORGE
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Flying Officer
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    Unit Text: 206 Sqdn.
    Age: 23
    Date of Death: 09/04/1945
    Service No: 152214
    Additional information: Son of Albert Guy and Martha Emily Stass; husband of Rosina Sophia Stass, of Blackheath, London.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 268.
    Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    Alberts Death would appear to be weeks after the birth of his son Keith.

    Name: Keith A T Stass
    Mother: Bradford
    Birth: Apr May Jun 1945 - Reading, Hampshire, Berkshire

    Rosina remarried in 1950

    Name: Rosina S Stass
    Spouse: Terence Mahony
    Marriage: Jul-Aug-Sep 1950 - Greenwich, Kent

    But died in 1998

    Name: Rosina Sophia Mahony
    Birth Date: 16 Nov 1923
    Death Registration Month/Year: Jul 1998
    Age at death (estimated): 74
    Registration district: Greenwich
    Inferred County: London

    Rosina and Alberts son Keith married in 1971

    Name: Keith A T Stass
    Spouse Surname: Pamela D Checkland
    Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1971
    Registration district: Greenwich
    Registration county (inferred): Kent

    They had two sons Michael E Stass and Jonathan J Stass, and upto 2006 they where living in Droitwich, Worcestershire.

    The last known address for the family is

    Keith Albert Trevor Stass
    High Park House
    High Park
    Ombersley Road
    Droitwich
    Worcestershire
    WR9 0AG
    Tel 01905 772 163
     
  13. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    BORN
    Name: Edmond T Lockett
    Year of Registration: 1914
    Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
    Mother's Maiden Name: Hicks
    District: Chorlton
    County: Lancashire

    DIED
    Name: Edmond Trevelyan Lockett
    Birth: 10 Aug 1914
    Death: Jan 1997 - Epping Forest, Essex, England
     
  14. Varasc

    Varasc Senior Member

    Thanks again!, I will try to contact Keith Albert Trevor Stass. Your research is very precious for me, providing so many possible contacts. Thanks a lot, Englandphil.

    Concerning the other POW I am looking for, here is the list, kindly corrected from Bill Rudd:

    NEW ZEALANDERS

    10329 Frederick W. GARLAND, 175 Detriest-Christchurch N2, Springston ex
    Campo 106/19 Salussola
    9300 James.C.G.HARVEY, Athol, Southland
    ex Campo 106/19 Salussola

    AUSTRALIANS

    WX14427 Harold Reginald DAVIS B.25.08.1916 2/32 Bn.
    WX14411 Victor JOHNSON B.13.03,1917 2/32 Bn
    WX9903 John Charles NELSON B 07,12.1901 2/28 Bn
    QX5753 Edgar Nataniel TRIFFITH B 25.05.1909 2/15 Bn
    Subsequently escaped into Switzerland
    VX1552 Gordon WHITLAM B. 05.08.1917 2/32 Bn
    Subsequently escaped into Switzerland
    TX360 Loyal "Lou" Walter WHYMAN B.05.06.1911 2/12/Bn
    Subsequently escaped into Switzerland
    VX34136 Henry Norman Frederick WILLOUGHBY B.09.11.1919 2/24 Bn
    Subsequently escaped to Switzerland
    QX 5740 L/Cpl Robert Wylie,2/15th Bn of Stanthope, Queensland.
    WX 14411 Thomas William Fletcher 2/32 Bn, managed to get into Switzerland.

    I already contacted Councils, historical organizations, veteran and neighbourhood associations for all of them, but it was almost vane until now. The ones I found about were already dead, so I am looking for their relatives.
    From the Australian WWII Nominal Roll, I know a little more about the Aussies of this list. You may also check for them here,

    World War Two Nominal Roll

    Having survived the war, they were not listed among the victims of the Australian War Memorial.
    Thanks again for all your possible help.
     
  15. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Marco,

    That is quite a list!!!:)

    Attached are your Kiwis for August 1943 as per WO392/21. Both confirm Camp 106.
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Varasc

    Varasc Senior Member

    Marco,

    That is quite a list!!!:)

    Attached are your Kiwis for August 1943 as per WO392/21. Both confirm Camp 106.


    Great, thank you.

    Probably I should create a second topic, for this second list (NZ and Australians), not to mess up this first topic... What do you think? :blush:
     
  17. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Not to worry now Marco,

    Here are the lists you need for the Australians (attached).

    No sign of J. Charles or V. Johnson?

    You gave the same service number for both Johnson and Fletcher? Otherwise most at Camp 106, with Willoughby and Triffett at Camp 57 which is Gruppignano (Udine).
     

    Attached Files:

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  18. Varasc

    Varasc Senior Member

    Very sorry, it was a copy & paste mistake..

    NEW ZEALANDERS

    10329 Frederick W. GARLAND, 175 Detriest-Christchurch N2, Springston ex
    Campo 106/19 Salussola
    9300 James.C.G.HARVEY, Athol, Southland
    ex Campo 106/19 Salussola

    AUSTRALIANS

    WX14427 Harold Reginald DAVIS B.25.08.1916 2/32 Bn.
    WX14411 Victor JOHNSON B.13.03,1917 2/32 Bn
    9903 John Charles NELSON B 07,12.1901 2/28 Bn
    QX5753 Edgar Nataniel TRIFFITH B 25.05.1909 2/15 Bn
    Subsequently escaped into Switzerland
    VX1552 Gordon WHITLAM B. 05.08.1917 2/32 Bn
    Subsequently escaped into Switzerland
    TX360 Loyal "Lou" Walter WHYMAN B.05.06.1911 2/12/Bn
    Subsequently escaped into Switzerland
    VX34136 Henry Norman Frederick WILLOUGHBY B.09.11.1919 2/24 Bn
    Subsequently escaped to Switzerland
    QX 5740 L/Cpl Robert Wylie,2/15th Bn of Stanthope, Queensland.
    WX 14411 Thomas William Fletcher 2/32 Bn, managed to get into Switzerland.

    Two other soldiers are cited in the last pages:

    William Mitchell, 30186
    Captain Malter A. Parcher (Parker?), 33706
     
  19. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    Hello Marco,
    Bill Rudd is a very good friend of mine and I have provided him with all the Anzac listings from WO 392 for Italy and Germany. They will be posted on his website shortly.
     
  20. Varasc

    Varasc Senior Member

    Hello Marco,
    Bill Rudd is a very good friend of mine and I have provided him with all the Anzac listings from WO 392 for Italy and Germany. They will be postyed on his website shortly.


    Yes, he was so kind to read and try to deepen the mistakes of the 1945 list I gave him.
    He is also the webmaster of this fascinating site,

    ANZAC POW Free Men in Europe - Welcome Letter
     

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