https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C16751715 Reference: WO 416/80/52 Name: George Cowles. Date of Birth: 22/10/1921. Place of Birth: Mexborough, Yorkshire. Service: British Army. Rank: Corporal. Regiment/Unit/Squadron: Irish Guards. Service Number: 2722890. Date of Capture: 30 January 1944. Theatre of Capture: Italy. Camp Name/Number: Stalag IVB Muhlberg. PoW number: 278107. Date of Death: [unspecified]. Number of Photographs: 1. Number of Fingerprints: 1. Number of X-rays: 1. Number of Cards: 5. Date: [1939-1945]
WO 344-75-1 PART I General Questionnaire for British Ex-Prisoners of War 1. No.: 2722890 Rank: Lance Corporal Surname: COWLES Christian Names: George William Decorations: Africa Star, 1st Army 2. Unit (Army): 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS 3. Division (Army): 1st DIVISION 1st ARMY 4. Date of Birth: 22 Oct 1921 5. Date of Enlistment: 16 Mar 1941 6. Civilian Trade: Labourer 7. Private Address: 12 Conway Terrace, Mexborough, Yorkshire 8. Place of Capture: Anzio Beachhead, Italy Date of Capture: 30 Jan 1944 9. Were you Wounded when Captured: No 10. Main Camps or Hospitals in which imprisoned Camp No. Location From & To Stalag IV B Muhlberg 26 Feb 1944 - 1 Apr 1944 Stalag 357 Thorn 1 April 1944 - 8 Aug 1944 Stalag 357 Fallingsbostel 8 Aug 1944 - 14 Apr 1945 11. Were you in a Working Camp? No Location From & To Nature of Work - 12. Did you suffer from any Serious Illnesses while a P/W?: No Nature of Illness Cause Duration - Did you receive adequate Medical Treatment?: PART II 2. Lectures before Capture (State where, when and by whom) (a) Were you lectured in your unit on how to behave in the event of capture?: No (b) Were you lectured on escape and evasion?: No 3. Interrogation after Capture (State where, when and methods employed by enemy) Were you specially interrogated by the enemy?: Normal 4. Escapes attempted. Did you make any attempted or party successful escapes? No (Give details of each attempt separately, stating where, when, method employed, names of your companions, where and when captured and by whom. Were you physically fit? What happened to our companions?) - 5. Sabotage. Did you do any sabotage or destruction of enemy factory plant, war material, communications, etc., when employed on working-parties or during escape? No (Give details, places and dates). - 6. Collaboration with enemy. Do you know of any British or American personnel who collaborated with the enemy or in any way helped the enemy against other Allied PoWS? No (Give details, names of person(s) concerned, camp(s), dates and nature of collaboration or help given to enemy). - 7. War Crimes. If you have any information or evidence of bad treatment by the enemy to yourself or to others, or knowledge of any enemy violation of Geneva Convention you should ask for a copy of “Form Q” on which to make your statement. - 8. Have you any other matter of any kind you wish to bring to notice? - SECURITY UNDERTAKING. I fully realised that all information relating to the matters covered by the questions in PART II are of a highly secret and official nature. I have had explained to me and fully understand that under Defence Regulations or U.S.A.R. 380-5 I am forbidden to publish or communicate any information concerning these matters. Date of Signature: 27 April 1945
Army Number: 2722890 Rank: Lance-Corporal Name: George William COWLES Unit: 1 Irish Guards Theatre: Italy POW Number: 278107 Date of Capture: 30/01/1944 Place of Capture: Anzio Camp: Stalag 357 TNA Reference: WO 344-75-1
Army Number: 2722890 Rank: Lance Corporal Name: G COWLES Unit: 1 Irish Guards Theatre: Italy Missing Personnel file: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - Italy, Missing Personnel file TNA Reference: WO 361/784 Notes: Location as of 1 June 1945: 12 Conway Terrace, Mexborough, Yorks Missing, POW 30 January 1944
Army Number: 2722890 Rank: Lance-Corporal Name: George William COWLES Unit: 1 Irish Guards Theatre: Italy POW Number: 278107 Date of Capture: 30/01/1944 Place of Capture: Anzio Camp: Stalag 377 TNA Reference: WO 344-75-1
Army Number: 2722890 Rank: Lance Corporal Name: G COWLES Unit: 1 Irish Guards Theatre: Italy Missing Personnel file: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - Italy, Missing Personnel file TNA Reference: WO 361/784 Notes: Location as of 1 June 1945: 12 Conway Terrace, Mexborough, Yorks Missing, POW 30 January 1944