Son of a Highlander

Hi All,

My interest stems from it being 70 years next year since my father was captured at St Valery en Caux as part of the reargard action that allowed Dunkirk to happen. He spent 5 years in a Polish salt mine before being moved back into Germany where he was liberated from a Stalg Luft (?!).

I currently re-enact 17th century life and the English Civil War. Next year I hope to represent the men that were left behind in 1940. I would also like to know about any women left behind as well as that is another untold story.

I am interested in all stories from any regiment that took part in the rearguard action and their subsequent internment as I think how people live and survive is more poigniant than which General ordered which Company to do whatever.

Thanks for listening.

 

Hello slaphead

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your research

Regards
Peter

 

Thanks for the welcome lads,
No, I have not been to St Valery. I have always been an RAF history boy (my brother worked on Vulcans). It is only very recently that interest in my dads past promted me to start sniffing for clues. As with most folk from that era he didnt talk about what happened to him and to be honest I didnt ask, more fool me.

As I get older the battles become less important to me and the real people gain in significance. Apparently there is a new "Sequential drama" (soap opera?) in France about life under the Germans. It has caused quite a stink as it shows that not every Frenchman was a plucky resistance fighter. Are there any French members of the forum and have they seen it. I'd love to know if it is any good, but my French is terrible!

 

Slaphead,

Hello and welcome to the forum.

All the best with your research.

Regards
Tom

 

Hi Owen,
My dad was first battallion Gordons Highlanders. I have been in contact with Jesper Ericsson at the Highlanders museum but I have not read any books yet. Once my wife and I get some money there is a whole list going on the Christmas wish list including the St Valery book on the museum web site.
I am also interested in the POW side as my dad had some fiersome scars as a result of the beatings he got from his escape attempts. My elder brother recons dad spent some time in a POW camp attached to a concentration camp as he was entitled to claim from some fund set up for soldiers who witnessed the holocaust. He never did claim and he never collected his medals either.

 

Welcome and enjoy.!!!! (I should add from a son of a Cameron )

 

Welcome to the forum

Cheers
Paul

 

Welcome to the Forum Slaphead.

With a name I could probably be able to help.

Brian

 

Welcome Slaphead.

There are plenty of good books on the Highland Division about.
BYDAND !

 

Slaphead

Welcome aboard !

You will find much to interest you here and many who will be only too pleased to offer help.

Regards

Ron

 

How do and welcome aboard

 

Hi Slaphead

My Mate's Dad knew a Gordon Highlander also captured at St Valery who was at Stalag IXC as a POW. Unfortunately he was shot whilst trying to escape and is buried at Berlin War Cemetery.

If your Dad was also there at IXC, there are a lot of photos. As ADM199 states, a name will help find which camp he was in and his POW number.

Regards - Robert

 

Hello and welcome.

 

Welcome Slaphead,

Good luck in the various stages of your quest.

 

Welcome to the forum slaphead.

 

Thank you all for such a warm welcome, it is most apreciated.
Hi Brian ADM199
My father was William Evans. I believe he was in the first battalion of the Gordons. He enlisted in the late 1920's or early 1930's.
Just been talking to my eldest brother and he is not sure that my dad actually took part in the main battle, that he was digging tank traps and the Germans just rolled up and captured him with hardly a shot being fired. This is completely at odds with my middle brothers rememberances. There are so many half remembered myths in my family, it would be nice to find some hard evidence of, well anything, realy!
Thanks,
Andrew