Hello, My Oosterbeeker grandparents befriended an Arnhem veteran, of whom I unfortunately know very little. My uncle and father call him “Phil Lauder”and say he “crossed the river from/at the Oosterbeek Laag church”. I know he lived in Penkridge, near Wolverhampton, after the war. As for the unit he was with, I remain in the dark. It would seem to me that at least he was on the eastern side of the Oosterbeek perimeter. It could well be he was part of 2nd South Staffs, assuming he returned to South Staffordshire after the war. I have one picture of him from the mid 80’s -may that be of use. Could anyone perhaps enlighten me on this matter? Kind regards
Searching births on Ancestry for a Phillip Lauder born 1924 +/- 10 years, I can find 2 Name: Philip D S Lauder Registration Date: Jul 1918 [Aug 1918] [Sep 1918] Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep Registration district: Upton Inferred County: Worcestershire Mother's Maiden Name: Hickman Volume Number: 6c Page Number: 215 By 1939 he was already an Officer and went on to become a Lt Col, he was also apparently involved with SOE during WW2 Name: Philip Lauder Registration Date: Oct 1919 [Nov 1919] [Dec 1919] Registration Quarter: Oct-Nov-Dec Registration district: Gateshead Inferred County: Tyne & Wear Mother's Maiden Name: Dakers Volume Number: 10a Page Number: 2304 This is just the start searching will continue and hopefully other members with access to different websites will add their results TD Checked all Lauder deaths in Staffordshire and none have a forename Phillip that I can find
There is a Philip Launder in the nominal roll of the 2/South Staffs in By Land, Sea and Air. He was a Private in B Company but was taken POW and held at Stalag IV-B.
I think that you are referring to Philip Ernest Stephen Launder, born 9 October 1925. He was in 14 Platoon B Company South Stafford’s and was wounded and taken prisoner on the 26th September. His wartime address was in Codsall, near Wolverhampton which is 8 miles from Penkridge. He sadly passed away in 1991
UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 Name: P Launder Rank: Private Army Number: 14673092 Regiment: South Staffordshire Regiment POW Number: 77081 Camp Type: Stalag Camp Number: IV-B Camp Location: Mühlberg, Elbe, Brandenburg Record Office: Infantry Record Office, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Record Office Number: 19 Wonder if we can find out when he was captured?? TD
Think that could be him from a family tree Philip Ernest S Launder 1925–1991 BIRTH DEC.QT.1925 (09 OCT.1925) • West Ham Essex England 4a 43 DEATH JUL.1991 (07 JUL.1991) • Cannock Chase Staffordshire England 3a 505 Aged 65 Years. But the added detail says: Residence 1942 • Mühlberg, Elbe, Brandenburg 1 Source and has the POW record above attached for this detail TD
Thank you all most kindly. So he was indeed in the vicinity of the church, but didn’t make it across. I wonder whether he took part in the Sicilian campaign. I gather looking into ‘By land, sea and air’ would be worth a try. Fortunately they have quite an accessible Market Garden collection at the Arnhem library. Collectie Market Garden Many thanks once again. Kind regards
Think the above by Tricky is Philip Dalrymple Scott Lauder of the 11th Hussars, photo below: 11 Hussars war diaries, a few mentions of Lauder plus the units operations around Arnhem. http://daimler-fighting-vehicles.co.uk/DFV-File Part D003e-RAC-COL 11th Hussars war diary.pdf
But the added detail says: Residence 1942 • Mühlberg, Elbe, Brandenburg 1 Source and has the POW record above attached for this detail 14673092 is a General Service number which they didn’t start issuing until late 1942. The South Stafford’s didn’t proceed overseas until May 1943 so how he could be a POW in 1942 is questionable
I think the family tree date for his POW ship (1942) is incorrect, its probably just a generic date, I can ask if they have some factual evidence for it and yes the other was Phillip Dalrymple Scott Lauder, later Lt Col - I think in the late 1950's or 1960's - the army would appear to be his whole life TD I have messaged 2 family tree originators what info they have for his date of capture (if any)
In the Arnhem Rozet heritage center I found Philip Launder’s picture on page 113 of ‘By Land, Sea and Air’. His name is also amongst those thanked by the author in the preface. However, by scanning through I have not been able to trace any eye witness report by him, but maybe I overlooked?
