2873931 WOII Robert Findlay, MiD, 5th Bn Gordon Highlanders (POW & Serial escaper)

brithm · Feb 26, 2025

2873931 WOII Robert Findlay, Gordon Highlanders
Award: Mentioned in Despatches

POW Photographs (General)

FINDLAY was captured at ST. VALERY on 12th June 1940 and imprisoned in STALAG XXA, THORN.

He first attempted to escape from a working party by cutting the compound wire, in the Spring 1942. He walked towards Warsaw for 10 days, and was caught South of BROMBERG when challenged by a sentry.

At the end of 1942, FINDLAY made a similar attempt and and made for STTETIN, with the intention of boarding a ship fir a neutral country. He arrived there after three weeks, and sought the help of a Swedish Officer, but was recaptured before going on board.

In the same way early in 1943, FINDLAY again left his working party and made for DANZIG, only to be recaptured within three days.

Although he had served a sentence after each attempt to escape FINDLAY made a further attempt in the Summer of 1943, again from a working party. With one companion, he walked towards KRAKOW, and then onto BROMBERG. He was caught leaving the railway station after six days of liberty.

In January 1945, FINDLAY made a fifth escape but was arrested after two days.

While working in a dairy at MARIENAU,. FINDLAY sabotaged the refrigeration plant so effectively that it was out of order for eight months.

During the march from THORN westwards, FINDLAY twice broke away, and on 13th April 1945 he met American forces.
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WO 373/103/565

cjd_101 · Feb 26, 2025

Those were very good attempts! He sounds a very determined man!

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2873931 WOII Robert Findlay, MiD, 5th Bn Gordon Highlanders (POW & Serial escaper)

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2873931 WOII Robert Findlay, MiD, 5th Bn Gordon Highlanders (POW & Serial escaper)

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