am back - to tell story of Cpl Fred Walton, Royal Tank Corps, POW

From the news we were recieving reguardingadvancing allied troops.it was obvious our stay at Leipzip was drawing to a close.sure enough.days later we were told to pack.what ever we could carry as we were moving out in the morning.next morning down stairs.and ready to march.roll call taken by sentries.Two men missing.only 28 men out of thirty on parade,these were obviously .the two who had German lady friends.no time to search.we were on our way.out of Leipzip.travelling east and picking up lots of Russian prisoners on the way.they were taking us east because all was quite on the Russian front at that time.forgot to metion we collected many Americain P.O,W,S us as well..long column with German officers at the front,and German guards armed alongside us.we had travelled a few days with Allied Figer planes harassing us as we marched.it was getting rather dangerous.We put the word P.O.W. on any white object we could find .and on the floor at night .we would stop any-where on the road that had fields either side,we were then split up.the English in one field.and the Americians and Russians in a another field.Do not know the reason why for this move.after a couple of days marching.sounds of heavy gunfire in the direction we were travelling.Quick conferance of the German officers.and it was decided.that the Russians had started an offensive again.in view of this .we were ordered to turn round and start walking towards the Allied offensive,again.after a couple of days marching ,we were on a long sraight road.leading into a village.Column was halted and all guards were told to march with the officers at the front.We were very close to this village when suddenly lots of Americans tanks and vechiles spread across the road.the German officer shouted .he had prisoners of war.the Germans raised there arms in surrender.the Americans then disarmed them.throwing the rifles to the prisoners.saying shout the Germans.Obviously.we did not take this offer up.the Germans were all gathered up and sent else where,
In the meantime all the Russian prisoners had suddenly disappeared.Ido not know where ? We was told by the Americans that they could not do any-thing for us.as they were meeting up with the russians.who were advancing,they advised us to continue marching until we reached Leipzip.again. where the Americans were now in charge,and they would look after us.It seems that this column that relieved us,were the ones who had first met up with the Russians.
Photograths in all the newspapers and many films of it.
interval

 

Fred remembers the struggle for survial was finally over,in that moment their emotions were a mixture of elation.relief.and bewildment,they were free but what would happen next.The Americans told the men freed sorry had no transport for them.so it was a march of fourty miles or more back to Leipzip.when we at lasted arrived back at camp.we learned the war with Germany was over,that it was V.E.DAY.and bonfires were buring all over Britain.someone suggested we should have one also. so we gathered all the beds were we slept at the factory and set fire to them.
What a blaze it was.we were singing.with arms round each other.with food and cigarettes supplied by the Americans.we was looked after very well by the Americans.but the main question on many lips was.when would we be going home.

 

We were first taken to a aerodrome some-where in the vicinity in the back of vehicles.driven by black Americans.I do not know if he was showing off. but the driving was terrible.I think we were expecting the worst. but however we did arrive safely.we were put 25 each in a Dakota plane.with once again an American crew.we sat each side with a sick bucket in the middle. doors opened which was separating us from the crew.fags out guys.we were going up.no more smoking till we get airbourne.I do think the pilot tried to go up absolutely vertically. grreen faces.buckets nearly overflowing.same procedure.fags out.going up.we landed at Rheims in France.we were paided 50 frances and allowed to get out.very soon after we were taken to runaway again.for loading into a Lancaster Bomber.
Canadian crew.myself as the Corporal was to read all the names of the 25 boarding.one Mae West was issued to each person only 24 on the plane.
Where is mine i said.from the pilot a reply came .you will be alright.come in the nose with me. what ever you do ,do not pull any thing.or that ring on the floor.or you will be leaving us rather quickly..its for emergency use only.so how long have you been abroad he said. five years I Said.
Can you see that white through the clouds .yes i said.that is some-thing you have been waiting a long time to see.
Its the white cliffs of Dover.
Emotion gripped me.and not a few tears.
I should not he said.but i am going to fly you past London so you can see the damage.Eventually landed at Wing in Buckinghamshire.Each was given a telegram already printed.Arrived safely in England see you so.
Name and Address only allowed.under canvas cleaned up.new clothes.given cash and a warrent to home town.couple of days later taken by vehicle to kings cross.next train Selby Yorkshire
Long time waiting.get train to Doncaster in stead.then a bus to selby.
Eventually arrived on bus in selby market place.
Which way I thought.shall i go home past the station or by the old toll bridge.the later.
Turned into our road house all decorated.
Welcome Home Fred every-where
Had to stand to get my composure .
Eventually went in.only one person inside.Who are you I said.
AM your brother came the reply.the rest are waiting at the station.
have been ever since your telegram arrived.
Word was sent.eventually all of us were reunited.
Let the party begin.
Will add that fred mothers is my great grandmother.and she married my great grandfather, they raised fred when is father died in the first world war .when he was only two.
mike

 

This is the end of Fred moving tale.myself does not tell the half of the brave men held prisoner at this time. hope you found it intresting. just one one photo to add later.
mike
thank you for allowing me to tell fred story
micheal

 

..Number 553.is the card fred carried all through the war.
number 555. is freds letter to me.

 

Well done Mike !

Ron

 

Hello Ron
Thank you.hope this story of fred gives a feel to events of this terrible time.fred said to me has some bad memories.of is time of a prisoner of war.
but he has some good memories.of his friends.to counter.the bad.am sure their is even more stories of the brave men on your site.who have a tale to tell.
micheal

 

Mike,

I second Ron's statement. That is an amazing account of Fred's time as a POW.

Cheers

 

Mike,

I second Ron's statement. That is an amazing account of Fred's time as a POW.

Cheers
Thank you for your kind words.am pleased it is well recieved.Fred knows is story is on line.sadly he does not have a computer.
am awaiting his phone call some-time later today as he has a four hour operation to change is blood in hull.yorkshire.as cannot walk well.will pass on all comments to him.
yours
micheal

 

Mike

And please tell him that because he served, the world is a better place.

 

Hello
Thought might like to see this.fred not too sharp but keeping is spirits up
mike

 

Hello Mike
Don't know how I managed to miss this thread. Thank you for posting Fred's memories.
Happy Birthday Fred!

Lesley

 

From the Goole Times yesterday, Thursday June 27th 2013

Death of Fred Walton
Goole Soldier who braved Italian and German prison camps

Fred Walton, one of Goole's grand old ex-soldiers from World War II, who provided a graphic account of his time as a prisoner of war, died in Goole hospital on June 19th, just a few weeks before his 97th birthday.

Fred Walton. RIP


Lesley


Edit: I see his nephew has already posted his passing here
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/48205-fred-walton/

 

Fred Walton. RIP

Paul