Can somebody help me please. I have been researching my Fathers history: George Alfred Willard, born 5th November 1911 Roberstbridge, East Sussex. Father; George Henry Willard. Mother: Ethel Willard nee Every. Enlisted April 1939: C Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. My Fathers Army Service Number: 6400900. POW Number: 3443 I am also looking on behalf of a friend for information on her Father: EDWARD CHARLES WILMER, Born 28 April 1908 Gillingham, Kent Parents unknown Enlisted: 17.04.1939. Corporal in C Company 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Service No: 6400904 POW June 1940 Imprisoned in Stalag 383 Repatriated June 1944 Lived in Roberstbridge, Sussex Always known as 'Charlie' My father and Charlie worked together before WW2 in the Gypsum Mines at Mountfield/Robertsbridge, Sussex. In 'The Prisoner of War magazine for October 1944 I have found a photo of my father in a football team. I have the same photo at home and it is dated '1943'. I would like to know if there is any mention of Edward Charles Wilmer (Charlie) and Stalag 383 in the Magazine. Thank you RoyWillard
Roy, Forum member Incredibledisc has placed some of these magazines up on the site, including October 1944: New Resource - The Prisoner of War October 1944
Thank you How can I view these magazines, I can use a computer but I am 74yrs and not always up to date on how to access things. I appreciate your help, I am sorry not sure how to address you. Regards Roy
Incredibledisc Can you help me please? My father: George Alfred Willard b.1911 - d.1997 served in the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was captured in may 1940 near Arras, transported to Poland until 1941 and then to Stalag 4c, Teplitz, Czechoslovakia from 1941 to 1945. He was forced to work in the coal mines and quarries at Brux and other places. Liberated by the Russians in 1945, returned home to Robertsbridge weighing just four and a half stone. He was never medically fit for the rest of his life, but worked and carried on with life as did the majority of people of that time. He with my mother Lillian Josephine Willard nee Williams b.1911 - d.1998 raised 3 sons and I have the utmost respect for him. Knowing now he suffered I have tried to find out about his life before I was born in 1946. I have seen a photo of him in: The Prisoner of War Magazine for 1944, I have the same photo dated 1943 Germany. How can I purchase a copy of this Magazine? I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you Roy Willard
Roy, may also be a good idea to send a private message. If you’re not sure how to go about that, then just click on this link which will call up one of his posts: The Prisoner of War November 1944 Now click on the user name and you should see “start a conversation” top right - click on that and away you go.
Wobbler and Lesley Thanks for your help, in the next few weeks I will put together other questions about my Family. Leading on from that point, one of my Uncles: Matthew Carter (known as Larry Carter to family and friends) served in the Royal Navy in WW2. One of the ships he served on was HMS TEST, of which I have a photo. I have another photo of Uncle Larry, a group shot: CLASS 126 H.M.S ROYAL ARTHUR. But I can find absolutely no record of his Naval Service, his Service number, his rank or much else. He was born in Durham in 1916, in the 1930s with his brother Jeremiah 'walked' from Newcastle to Robertsbridge, Sussex. In 1942 when he was in the Royal Navy he married my Fathers sister: Joy Willard at Salehurst Parish Church, Sussex my Mother was a Bridesmaid. On his leave he used to cycle from Portsmouth to Robertsbridge to visit family and friends. I would appreciate any information on his Naval Service. Thank you Roy Willard
Roy, I would strongly suggest that you start a separate post for the above under the "Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy" section, you are looking for three men and if members start replying in one post we won't know where we are, and things will get muddled. Also suggest a separate one for Wilmer. Put the name / service number / unit in heading. First port of call to research are official service records: Requests for personal data and service records: a detailed guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Oops. Ever since I learned how to draw coloured rings around things on screen shots I just can’t resist showing off
