Arnold Furniss RA - POW Tobruk

My aunt moved from Ireland to the UK in the 50's and married a proud Yorkshireman. They eventually retired back to Ireland and lived out their lives here. Anyway, both have sadly passed away over the last few years and being childless, some photographs and papers have found their way into my possession. Among these photographs are a few of her husband's father in army uniform during the war. Her husband was an only child so there is basically no relatives for these to go to. I thought I would try and find out what I can about his service during the war.

So the chap's name was Arnold Furniss. From what my aunt hold me he was a pre war member of a Territorial Army Royal Artillery unit in Sheffield. He was captured in North Africa and spend the war in a camp in Germany. I was told he fell into the bag at Tobruk but I don't know if this is actually true.

I can find his date of birth if it is required to find information on him.

Is it possible to find out more about his service, the unit he served in or even (bearing in mind I'm not an actual relative) his records? I'm in Ireland so are these records online? I have experience of using the Australian Archives to research a Great War soldier and quite a bit has been digitized there.

I can also post a photo if it is of interest.

Many thanks.

 

Hi,

According to the Prisoner of War 1715-1945 database on FindMyPast an A Furniss No. 810702, Rank, Bombardier was a prisoner of war at Stalag 357, Oerbke, Nr. Fallingbostel.

The British Casualty Lists 1939-1945, also on FindMyPast, show an A Furniss, No. 810702, Rank WS/Bdr (War Substantive Bombardier [?]) of the 25 Field Regiment (Royal Artillery) as missing on 20 June 1942.

Further entries show this classification went through the administrative levels of 'Missing believed Prisoner of War' to 'Prisoner of War (Previously reported as Missing)'.

Mark

 

Further records in the Royal Artillery Attestations 1883 - 1942 database shows an

Arnold Furniss, no. 81072, being discharged on 24-3-46 according to Para 390 (XVI) K(ing's) R(egulations) 1940.

Mark

 

I would suggest that you obtain Arnold's service records, for more detailed information: Get a copy of military service records.

 

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

The date 20th June 1942 is the penultimate date of the June 1942 siege of Tobruk. German forces broke through the perimeter and reached the port on that day.

Steve

 

Do you have your Aunts maiden name, do you know what year they married, do you know what years(s) they died and where, did they have any other names - any little bits of information may help answer your question

TD

 

Hello and welcome,

Arnold Furniss was held in Camp PG 65 in Italy after being taken prisoner in North Africa. He would have been sent on to Germany after the Italian Armistice of 8 September 1943.

The snippet below is from a document in the National Archives, London - document number WO 392/21.

I am doubly interested in him, having taught in Sheffield for 20 years and being currently involved in a project to find as many relatives/contacts as possible of men held in PG 65. (There's a lot of information about the camp, including photos, on this forum, posted by Domenico Bolognese, who speaks English. There was a big inauguration ceremony of the project on Sunday 2nd June down at the site of the camp, including Italian TV coverage, at which I was privileged to be present, so please post his photograph. I've attached the programme which shows some photos of the camp).

Best wishes,

Vitellino

Edited to correct date

 

Paddy,

You might also find this thread of use to your research:

Campo 65 Gravina Report

 

Thank you all for your replies. I think I will apply for his service record in the next while. I will also post a picture of Arnold in his KDs. I also have a christmas card he sent from Germany in 44 to his family which might be of interest. I have a new baby son who is taking up a lot of time I used to devote to such matters so it will be a few days before I get around to it.

 

Hi,

In addition to applying to MOD for his service papers you may want to apply to the Red Cross in Switzerland for his POW papers via this link -

Requests for information about people held during Spanish Civil War or the Second World War: Quarterly limit reached

It is a free service and it takes about 4 months to get written copies of his Red Cross papers from Switzerland.

As you have a young baby you ought to have no problem being up for 8am BST on 23rd September to complete the online application form. If the application form is not online at 8am I’d recommend you check the site every 30 minutes until it is online.You need to be quick off the mark as ICRC have limited resources and the application window usually closes within 2 to 4 hours of opening.

Good Luck

Steve

 

In order to send off for his records you will need a copy of his death certificate so the details asked for earlier are still relevant unless you already have or know where there is a copy of his Death cert

TD