Sgt J G Ward RAF 542939

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by Tricky Dicky, Sep 16, 2015.

  1. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Ladies & Gentlemen

    During some searching I came across a TNA reference to this man as below:

    Reference: WO 208/3326/2930
    Description:
    Sergeant J G Ward (service number 542939).
    Service: RAF.
    Escaped from police station at Gostyn, Poland; subsequently evaded capture and reached Russian lines in Poland. Evacuated to UK via Odessa, Malta and Corsica.
    Possible information on this individual (including appendices) may be present in WO 208/5582-5583.
    Date: 1940-1945

    Upon checking WO 392 and Ancestry I cannot find him. I have a suspicion that his service number maybe incorrect (maybe not).

    Can anyone shed any light on this - thanks

    TD

    edited to add Ladies - sorry about that :(
     
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  2. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Sqd 226, report number 2930, wo208, TNA piece no. 5583 and 3326 on findmypast. Any help?
     
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  3. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Footprints on the Sands of Time has him as
    LAC J G Ward, 226 Sqdn Fairey Battle K9183. Captured 10 May 1940 when shot down whilst flying at 5 feet attacking Diekirch bridges.
    Camp shown as Luft 1, but no PoW number shown.
    Escaped 17 April 1941. To UK via Odessa 21 March 1945

    Begs the question as to what he did between April 1941 and March 1945!

    and see http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=32007

    This site http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/226_squadron.html#1005
    implies he was a warded a Military Cross.... I thought that was for Army officers?
     
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  4. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    TD,

    Service number is correct as per AIR78. Man's name was John George Ward.

    69 RAF personnel were awarded the Military Cross in WWII. This might explain why Ward earned his:

    http://www.prisonerofwar.org.uk/AUTUMN%202013%20NEWSLETTER.pdf

    Regards,

    Dave
     
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  5. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    And the contents of WO 208/3326/2930. From the same newsletter as above:

     
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  6. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Many many thanks to all for the information - I think that answers my question

    Give yourselves a massive pat on the back, and award yourself a cup of tea :)

    TD
     
  8. AlanW

    AlanW Senior Member

    You certainly know your stuff Dave.............
     
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Just as an update - as he does not appear in the 'official lists' of POW's (ie WO 392) series I will include him in my list of ex POW's repatriated via Odessa that I am creating.

    I am still on the trail of trying to track down the lists for Odessa, no luck yet.


    TD
     
  10. tedfromscrubs

    tedfromscrubs Junior Member

  11. noggin1969

    noggin1969 Well-Known Member

    I know this is an old thread, but does anyone know where he is buried ?
     
  12. Quarterfinal

    Quarterfinal Well-Known Member

    Hi,

    Noting the caveat that this might be interment date, a potential location may be:

    John George Ward (1919-1995) - Find a Grave...
    namely Plot GG 83 in Windlesham, Surrey Heath Borough, Surrey, England
    No memorial photo

    His was a remarkable story.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2022

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