captured at st,valery-sur-somme 12/06/40

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by hgv6372, May 24, 2010.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    RASC wouldn't get much of a mention in that book as it would mainly focus on the infantry battalion within the Div.

    If you are really interested in finding out what your father got up to I would strongly start the (long road) reserach by applying for his records then head for the national archives to get his units war diaries.

    I have read in some of my books about men using rifle slings to get down the cliffs. Many fell to their death though as the slings were not long enough and with it being dark the had no idea how high the cliffs were.

    You can apply for his records via this link, just give them a ring and they will send you the forms etc.:

    Army Personnel Centre - British Army Website
     
  2. euan

    euan Junior Member

    Thanks for that Andy, I may have to go down that road. It is very difficult to get any information on this incident and ive spent a bit of time looking. I saw on a web site that the actor Hugh Grants grandfather was involved and he was so impressed by the story that he wants to make a movie about it.
     
  3. p.cator

    p.cator Junior Member

    Hello Jane we must be related Frederick Cator was my farther. I have been trying to trace his pow record and only yesterday recived a letter from ICRC in Geneva giving me a few details.It has taken almost a year to get these will send what i know later as have to go to work take care. Peter Cator.
     
  4. p.cator

    p.cator Junior Member

    Hi Jane Herbut Robert Cator was my uncle and he died when his position was overrun by German tanks. I was told this by my farther Frederick Cator he was taken prisoner at St. Valerie on 12/06/1940 and was in Stalags XX/A and XXB until the of the war. There are no records of his release? Ive only just recieved this information from the ICRC in Geneva. I am now trying to find some information on his escape attemps.
     
  5. sapper117

    sapper117 Junior Member

    I have a copy of A coy 7th Bn Argylls positions on the 5/6 June from the Coy diary. To state that they held the area is like saying a collinder will hold water. The area covered by the Bde should have been held by a Div and as a result there were gaps miles wide between Coys. I think it was a wonderful result to get Ark Force away. My biggest gripe is the continual habit of the media to report the Dunkirk aniversery while implying that that was the end of the matter - 70 years later St valery and the 51st are only just mentioned as an aside - a very grave insult to all 51 HD, 1st armoured + the LOC troops caught there.
     
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  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I'm always interested in 1940 publications and references. When you mention the Coy diary do you mean the Battalion diary?

    I have the battalion diary but wasn't aware there were any Company ones, unless there are reports within the Bn diary?

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  7. p.cator

    p.cator Junior Member

    Jane. Your uncle was my father Freddrick Charles Cator, Iam trying to find out about his POW experiences would be great if you got in touch my email is petervancator@gmail.com hope to hear from you
     
  8. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Jane hasn't been on the forum since July 2011. Perhaps you could send her a private message and if she has the same e-mail address she may pick up a notification of message.

    Lesley
     

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