Long March POW Casualty 1945: John Antony Ronald Coulthard, Stalag XXA, Thorn

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by dbf, May 9, 2010.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    2719823 Guardsman Douglas BURNELL, 2 Irish Guards: PoW
    Noted at the very bottom of a PoW Liberation report completed by Irish Guardsman Douglas Burnell is this hand-written account:

    Guardsman Burnell stated that he was at XXA Thorn from 1943 to 1945, working as a clerk and interpreter.

    Google translation of Landeschutz Batt. 714 hit... confirms their presence at Thorn.
    Google Translate
    original Landesschützen-Bataillon 714 - Lexikon der Wehrmacht


    I have been trying to establish something about Tony Coulthard and can only find this entry in cwgc.
    CWGC link, with new details - Lance Corporal John Antony Ronald Coulthard | War Casualty Details 2771250 | CWGC

    Anyone got any thoughts - especially about the possibility that this is the correct casualty? I note that the above is commemorated at Dunkirk Memorial.

    Attached is an image of statement by Guardsman Burnell which I transcribed
    IMG_0488.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2023
    BarbaraWT likes this.
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Di,

    I take it you are aware of this piece of info from CWGC regarding the Dunkirk Memorial:

    or who died in captivity who were captured during this campaign and who have no known grave.


    I'm assuming he was captured in France during 39/40?
     
  3. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    I have an example of this on My Widnes ROH, Richard Bradshaw (Brother of Abraham, KIA with IG's) died in captivity, and is listed on the Dunkirk Memorial

    Private RICHARD BRADSHAW
    5674117, 2/5th Bn., The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
    who died age 22,on 14 May 1941
    Son of George and Mary Bradshaw, of Widnes, Lancashire.
    Remembered with honour - DUNKIRK MEMORIAL
     
  4. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Thanks.

    Phil, super, I may drop a line to that link and send them an image when I get around to doing the ones for you as well.

    Andy I'd just wondered if it were logical for him to be on Dunkirk Memorial and not Groesbeek. If he was BEF then I suppose it would make sense. Did you notice that the site is looking for a photo of the panel at Dunkirk - hint ;)

    Does intrigue me further - although there is no accurate location given, I wonder if his body was ever discovered and perhaps moved to cemetery as an Unknown. Or, is he still there?
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Di,

    My understanding is anyone involved in the France/Flanders Campaign with no known graves regardless of date of death is recorded on the Dunkirk Memorial.

    I suspect the first port of call would be a walk around the local cemetery/ies in Dormitz if you know anyone near Nurmberg.

    I did think about sending them the panel but I don't know where to send it :lol:

    Andy
     
  7. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Had to search around for it too, think this is it...
    admin at corpsofmilitarypolice.org
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  9. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    Di,

    My understanding is anyone involved in the France/Flanders Campaign with no known graves regardless of date of death is recorded on the Dunkirk Memorial.

    I suspect the first port of call would be a walk around the local cemetery/ies in Dormitz if you know anyone near Nurmberg.

    I did think about sending them the panel but I don't know where to send it :lol:

    Andy

    Drew, Dave Morris email at CMP website

    david.morris(at)corpsofmilitarypolice.org
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Email sent, added the link to so he may join :)

    Di, I take it you checked for his MiD?
     
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Di, I take it you checked for his MiD?
    :pNow you're just showing off ... and no, I didn't.
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Nowt listed. :p
     
  13. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Di,

    I've just checked through GRO War Deaths Army Other Ranks Indexes 1939-1945, there is only L\Cpl JAR Coulthard listed for 1945.

    Hope this helps.

    Nick
     
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  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I initialy thought the error in regiments maybe to do with the Adjutant General's Corps but I've just checked the image for his initials. I wonder if the A is for Anthony?


    [​IMG]
     
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  15. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I have an acquaintance that recorded what they went through, somewhere in the house. A !st Suffolk's infantry man
     
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  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    L/Cpl Coulthard is shown in the CWGC as Intelligence Corps but I believe at that time 1940 he would be Field Security Police CMP.

    Each Div in the BEF had a FSP Section.

    They were set up in 1937 and wore a green cap cover on their SD caps instead of scarlet.

    The Int Corps was formed on paper in June 1940 and came into being in Dec 1940. The Int Corps have over 50 WWII casualties with Military Police numbers.
     
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  17. Steve Foster

    Steve Foster Senior Member

    My name is Steve Foster. My father, Sgt Frederick Foster of 8th Sherwood Foresters escaped from Stalag XXA with L/Cpl Antony Couthard and they made it all of the way to the Swiss border, in 1942 I believe.

    The book "Antony Coulthard" about his time in Stalag XXA and his eventual death on the Long March was mainly made up from letters from my Father to Mrs Coulthard about their escapades together.

    Antony painstakingly taught my father German for one year before their escape and their passes and civilian clothes were perfect. They passed muster at every check point until the Swiss border where a Gestapo agent stopped Dad after Antony had gone through. Antony made the mistake of coming back for Dad and their story quickly unravelled. They both did time in the cooler in XXA after their escape but Dad was transfered to Stalag 383 for habitual escapee Senior NCOs whilst Antony remained in XXA. This move probably saved my father's life.

    I have a whole series of letters written to dad by Mrs Coulthard and a copy of the book if anyone is interested. My ambition is to find Antony Coulthard's grave in Germany as he was my Dad's companion and friend during their time in XXA.

    Steve Foster
     
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  18. Steve Foster

    Steve Foster Senior Member

    Noted at the very bottom of a PoW Liberation report completed by Irish Guardsman Douglas Burnell is this hand-written account:



    Guardsman Burnell stated that he was at XXA Thorn from 1943 to 1945, working as a clerk and interpreter.

    Google translation of Landeschutz Batt. 714 hit... confirms their presence at Thorn.
    Google Translate
    original Landesschützen-Bataillon 714 - Lexikon der Wehrmacht


    I have been trying to establish something about Tony Coulthard and can only find this entry in cwgc.
    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    Anyone got any thoughts - especially about the possibility that this is the correct casualty? I note that the above is commemorated at Dunkirk Memorial.
    Hi, my father, Sgt Foster was good friends with Antony Coulthard in Stalag XXA and they escaped together in 1942, making it all the way to the Swiss border before being recaptured. I have a copy of the book written about him from letters from my father to his mum and many of the original letters.

    Will be happy to discuss Antony Coulthard in depth if you would like.

    Regards

    Steve Foster
     
  19. Steve Foster

    Steve Foster Senior Member

    Noted at the very bottom of a PoW Liberation report completed by Irish Guardsman Douglas Burnell is this hand-written account:



    Guardsman Burnell stated that he was at XXA Thorn from 1943 to 1945, working as a clerk and interpreter.

    Google translation of Landeschutz Batt. 714 hit... confirms their presence at Thorn.
    Google Translate
    original Landesschützen-Bataillon 714 - Lexikon der Wehrmacht


    I have been trying to establish something about Tony Coulthard and can only find this entry in cwgc.
    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    Anyone got any thoughts - especially about the possibility that this is the correct casualty? I note that the above is commemorated at Dunkirk Memorial.
    I have put a longer version of this at the bottom of page 2. My father and he were good friends in Stalag XXA and escaped together in 1942 all the way from Poland, through Berlin to the Swiss border where they were recaptured. Antony was an expert linguist and coached Dad in German for one year before their escape. A book "Antony Coulthard" was published after the war made up from letters from my father to his mother. I also have the original letters. He had a BA in modern languages and after volunteering for the infantry and refusing a commision, the book states he was posted to the Intellinge Corps.

    My father's submission to MI9 after the war, giving account of their escape states he was in the FSP. So I am not sure.

    I can give you far more details if you require.

    Regards

    Steve Foster
     
  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Steve and welcome to the forum.

    I'm sure DBF (Diane) will be along soon.

    Regards
    Andy
     

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