2734603 Lance-Serjeant Eric Bakewall COLLINS, 2 Welsh Guards: POW

Date of Enlistment: 1 January 1939
Army Number: 2734603
Rank: Lance-Serjeant
Name: Eric Bakewell COLLINS
Unit: 2 Welsh Guards

Date of Birth: 9 January 1921
Place of Birth: Penarth, Wales

Date of Capture: 25 May 1940
Place of Capture: Boulogne, France

POW Number: 7626
POW Camps: Stalag XXA, Stalag XXB

 

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C16701490
Reference: WO 416/73/53
Name: Eric [W G] Collins.
Date of Birth: 9/1/1921.
Place of Birth: Penarth [Wales].
Service: British Army.
Rank: Sergeant.
Regiment/Unit/Squadron: Welsh Guards.
Service Number: 2734603.
Date of Capture: [unspecified].
Theatre of Capture: [unspecified].
Camp Name/Number: Stalag XXA Thorn (Poland)
PoW number: 7626.
Date of Death: [unspecified].
Number of Photographs: 0.
Number of Fingerprints: 0.
Number of X-rays: 0.
Number of Cards: 3.

 

WO 344-69-1

PART I
General Questionnaire for British Ex-Prisoners of War

1. No.: 2734603
Rank: Lance Sergeant
Surname: COLLINS
Christian Names: Eric Bakewell
Decorations: -

2. Unit (Army): WELSH GUARDS
3. Division (Army): 20th GUARDS BRIGADE

4. Date of Birth: 1 January 1921
5. Date of Enlistment: 1 January 1939
6. Civilian Trade: Shop Assistant
7. Private Address: 16 Corners Well Road Penarty Glamorganshire South Wales

8. Place of Capture: Boulogne France
Date of Capture: 25 May 1940


9. Were you Wounded when Captured: No

10. Main Camps or Hospitals in which imprisoned
Camp No. Location From & To
Stalag XXA Thorn 1940 - 1941
Stalag XXB Marienburg 1941 - 1945

11. Were you in a Working Camp?
Location From & To Nature of Work
Stalag XXA (100) July 1940 - Jul 1941 Labour, Building
Stalag XXB (781) December 1941 - January 1945 Labour, Farm

12. Did you suffer from any Serious Illnesses while a P/W?:
Nature of Illness Cause Duration
No

Did you receive adequate Medical Treatment?:
-


PART II

2. Lectures before Capture
(State where, when and by whom)
(a) Were you lectured in your unit on how to behave in the event of capture?:
Yes by C.S.M. at Colchester
(b) Were you lectured on escape and evasion?:
Yes by C.S.M. at Colchester

3. Interrogation after Capture
(State where, when and methods employed by enemy)
Were you specially interrogated by the enemy?:
No

4. Escapes attempted.
Did you make any attempted or party successful escapes?
Yes
(Give details of each attempt separately, stating where, when, method employed, names of your companions, where and when captured and by whom. Were you physically fit? What happened to our companions?)
Escaped from Stalag XXB (781) from Camp on 24 January 1945 with Lance Corporal BURGES, Cameron Highlanders. Lost him at Marienburg in beginning of February 1945. Eventually rejoined Russians Stuhm 1 March 1945. Escaped in Guards absence.

5. Sabotage.
Did you do any sabotage or destruction of enemy factory plant, war material, communications, etc., when employed on working-parties or during escape?
(Give details, places and dates).
Minor sabotage to crops and cattle at all opportunities.

6. Collaboration with enemy.
Do you know of any British or American personnel who collaborated with the enemy or in any way helped the enemy against other Allied PoWS?
No
(Give details, names of person(s) concerned, camp(s), dates and nature of collaboration or help given to enemy).
-

7. War Crimes.
If you have any information or evidence of bad treatment by the enemy to yourself or to others, or knowledge of any enemy violation of Geneva Convention you should ask for a copy of “Form Q” on which to make your statement.
-

8. Have you any other matter of any kind you wish to bring to notice?
No

SECURITY UNDERTAKING.
I fully realised that all information relating to the matters covered by the questions in PART II are of a highly secret and official nature.
I have had explained to me and fully understand that under Defence Regulations or U.S.A.R. 380-5 I am forbidden to publish or communicate any information concerning these matters.


Date of Signature: 24 July 1945