Description
Object description
Illustrated ts transcription (107pp) of his diary (May 1940 – April 1945) and tape recordings of interviews recording his experiences as a prisoner of war, including his service with the Territorial Army in the ranks of the Queen Victoria Rifles (30th Brigade), training in London and at Whitbread's Hop Farm at Paddock Wood, Kent (from September 1939) and at Calais, France until his capture by the Germans (May 1940); the march to Germany (May 1940 – June 1940); his captivity as a POW in Stalag VIIIB at Lamsdorf (June 1940 – March 1945 employed in various work camps including on rail construction (?1940 – 1942), cement and sugar factories, and saw mills (1942 – 1944), and the long march to escape the Soviet advance until liberated by the Americans (March 1945 – April 1945); his evacuation by air to Brussels and return to England (May 1945); and commenting on his capture and treatment; the conditions, the rations; the shortage, scrounging and stealing of food even from fellow POWs; the weather; Red Cross parcels; working in camps and as an interpreter; relations with German guards and civilians; being injured while labouring; his entertainment, notably playing cards, writing novels, reading, drinking, sport, darts, the mail, attending concerts and sunbathing; the war's progress; the Soviet Union; political discussions; Australian and New Zealander POWs; the rumours; suffering from boils; and 1Allied air raids; . Also included are a Forward (4pp) by his daughter; some letters from his parents and friends (32pp); and 6 Appendices (25pp) with material relating to his career.
Content description
Illustrated ts transcription (107pp) of his diary (May 1940 – April 1945) and tape recordings of interviews recording his experiences as a prisoner of war, including his service with the Territorial Army in the ranks of the Queen Victoria Rifles (30th Brigade), training in London and at Whitbread's Hop Farm at Paddock Wood, Kent (from September 1939) and at Calais, France until his capture by the Germans (May 1940); the march to Germany (May 1940 – June 1940); his captivity as a POW in Stalag VIIIB at Lamsdorf (June 1940 – March 1945 employed in various work camps including on rail construction (?1940 – 1942), cement and sugar factories, and saw mills (1942 – 1944), and the long march to escape the Soviet advance until liberated by the Americans (March 1945 – April 1945); his evacuation by air to Brussels and return to England (May 1945); and commenting on his capture and treatment; the conditions, the rations; the shortage, scrounging and stealing of food even from fellow POWs; the weather; Red Cross parcels; working in camps and as an interpreter; relations with German guards and civilians; being injured while labouring; his entertainment, notably playing cards, writing novels, reading, drinking, sport, darts, the mail, attending concerts and sunbathing; the war's progress; the Soviet Union; political discussions; Australian and New Zealander POWs; the rumours; suffering from boils; and 1Allied air raids; . Also included are a Forward (4pp) by his daughter; some letters from his parents and friends (32pp); and 6 Appendices (25pp) with material relating to his career.
History note
Cataloguer SNR