My father, who passed away 5 years ago aged 88,spent several years, prior to his decline in health, writing his memories of his Army life during WW2. They are in a folder marked "Memoirs of Army Life 1943-1947. H.G.Payne" The folder contains stories, pictures, badges, German currency, his dog tags, certificate of transfer to the Army Reserve, a booklet entitled "30th Corps in Germany", safe conduct sheets, his Demob notice, his Soldiers Release Book, his Soldier's Service and Pay Book, a book entitled "106 Club" which is a record of all members of the 106 Bridge Company, a souvenir of Stalag 10B Prisoner of War Camp at Sandbostel (it's a carved piece of wood made for him and exchanged for a packet of cigarettes....which depicts the machine gun towers and the 30 Corps badge of the Wild Boar Rampant)..... and so much more, it's absolutely fascinating, if a little jumbled. My daughter and I have toyed with the idea of publishing my father's memoirs, because it's a shame to leave such a wealth of knowledge and information just sitting in a cupboard! Would anyone know how we would go about this, and who would be interested in these memoirs?
A few members on here have published books. Do a search and you will find a few links Perhaps regimental museums would be interested
Would this be him? UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 Name: H G Payne Rank: Serjeant Army Number: 6287841 Regiment: The Buffs POW Number: 141564 Camp Type: Stalag Camp Number: 357 Camp Location: Oerbke, Lower Saxony Record Office: Infantry and Army Physical Training Corps Record Office, Stanwell Road School, Ashford, Middlesex Record Office Number: 23 Note : the camp shown above was the one where he was at the time the ICRC did their checks etc TD
Dianne 88, this is just brilliant. I wish this would be done more often. Any documents in German, you want me to translate? Post, or send me a PM. Stefan, originally from Lower Saxoni.
No I don't think my Dad was a POW, he visited Stalag after the war, and the souvenir was made for him by a German prisoner as far as I can tell (maybe a Nazi SS prisoner). My Dad's Army number was 14655675. He was a Bailey bridge builder and vehicle technician in 106 Bridge Company.
Still, this is an interesting thread. A Non- military engineer or application engineer visiting an ex POW camp. I would certainly like to see more Diane. Stefan.
Army Number Search Tool This search tool can match army numbers from the 1920's to the end of World War 2 which was based on the regiment that a soldier joined initially, and the post war numbering system which is army wide. Pre 1920's, soldiers had regimental numbers so this site cannot be used for matching those. Enter an army number to find out what unit/regiment block the number was assigned from (upto WW2) or approximately when the soldier joined the army (post WW2). Army Number to check: The army number: 14655675 indicates that the soldier's original unit or date joined was: "General Service Corps"
I have taken pictures on my phone of my Dad's story about visiting Stalag which I would love to share with you if I only knew how to do it....
Bottom right hand corner when you write a new post are options 'Post Reply' 'Upload a File' 'More Options' Probably select Upload a File (which actually means you can upload more than file to a post TD
Hi guys. This is Dianne88's daughter. Sorry to jump in. My grandad was in the 106 Bridge Company and was in the 1623 Platoon (Bailey Bridges).. he was a military engineer. Once the war ended the 106 Bridge Company was no longer needed and he was assigned to the 30 Corps BOAR and was posted to Stalag (now under control by the Scottish Highlanders Division) which was by this time full of Nazi prisoners. Grandad paid a prisoner 1 packet of cigarettes in return for a hand carved souvenier plaque of POW camp.. (see photo) He spent the rest of his time in Nienburg where he was a driver for the 30 Corps BOAR until his return home. Sorry mum.. Not going over your head, I've just read through Grandads diary over and over.
