Hi All, I'm hoping someone may be able to help me understand a relatives story a little better. His name was Flt Lt Phillip Alexander Woodger and I have posted about him before on this thread: POW Escapers - Is there a list anywhere? I now have a bit more of an understanding but am hoping there might be a bit more out there. I know he was a survivor of the SS Empire Wave and that after his time in the arctic he was posted to Malta for the heat (in early 1942 as far as I can tell). Not long after being posted there he was shot down, I believe by the Italians, on the 28th of Aug 1942, handed over to the Germans and ended up in Stallag Luft 3. Initially I was told he had escaped but I now don't think that is the case. I plan on applying for his record although I'm not sure I'm a close enough relative but in the mean time I'm hoping someone can tell me a little about Malta as I don't really know anything of the story. I am actually going there soonish and would like to visit the place where he was based so here are my questions: Was there more than one squadron out in Malta? Was there more than one airfield he could have been based at? Do any reports of encounters / dogfights survive (ie could I read up about his)? Thanks a lot, Michael
Hi Michael, I have been searching since 2011 for a complete list of all POWs for just one POW camp. in1940/41. So far, no result. Still good luck to you. Stefan.
Thanks very much for the help gents. TD I'm going to have a look for those books, especially the last one about crash sites, that sounds very promising. Michael
Michael you dont have to be a relative to apply date of birth and death cert is all that is required Apply for the records of someone who's deceased You can apply for a copy of someone else’s service records if any of the following apply: you’re their immediate next of kin, for example their spouse or parent you’ve got consent from their immediate next of kin you have a general research interest - you’ll only have access to limited information, unless they died more than 25 years ago You need to know the person’s full name, date of birth Get a copy of military service records
Request records of deceased service personnel Under the scheme, and in recognition of the duty of care owed to the family of the deceased subject, for a period of 25 years following the date of death of the subject and without the consent of the next of kin, MOD will disclose only: surname forename rank service number regiment/corps place of birth age date of birth date of death where this occurred in service the date an individual joined the service the date of leaving good conduct medals (for example, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (LS&GCM)), any orders of chivalry and gallantry medals (decorations of valour) awarded, some of which may have been announced in the London Gazette After this period, and if it is held, in addition MOD will disclose without the requirement for next of kin consent: the units in which he/she served the dates of this service and the locations of those units the ranks in which the service was carried out and details of campaign medals awarded Where the consent of the immediate next of kin has been given for its release to a third party, the 25 year threshold will not apply allowing the release of all the information available under the publication scheme at any time, subject to the payment of an administration fee and the provision of a death certificate (except where death was in service). To be honest I think if you apply and provide a cheque for £30 they will send you what they have (excluding anything medical) - if you are direct next of kin you will basically receive the same - go for it TD
I've just hit on another snag. He died whilst on a cruise in Hong Kong and I'm told by a friend who knows much more about these things that a death certificate can be ordered but has to be collected in person! I think I'm going to have to email the MOD and ask advice. Michael
Also check with the embassy or Foreign & Commonwealth Office, they presumably hold a copy of it somewhere, presuming he was a British subject TD Dont know what year he died but - General Register Office indexes of births, marriages and deaths at sea and abroad, 1761–2005 is available on FMP British nationals death overseas 1818-2005 | findmypast.co.uk Some records are available via the National Archives - so so research needed Bereavement Advice Centre | Registering an Overseas Death
Shiny Malta had 6 airfields,some saw more activity than others and were frequently attacked.From memory quite a number have lost their military status and their airfields been recovered for various uses.Quit a number of squadrons were based here to prevent the island falling to the Axis forces...accounts of the tanker Ohio beating odds to get much wanted aviation fuel to the island....aircraft being flown off a carrier to maintain fighter aircraft strength.Gladiators,Faith Hope and Charity being drawn into the air battle against the greater performance aircraft of the enemy. Ta Kali,Luga,Krendl,Safi,Kalifrana and Hal Far The historical military magazine, After the Battle, published 3 monthly gives a good account the war covering all theatres. Number 10, Code A010 covers the siege of Malta entitled "Malta.It Happened Here",It's a very early publication in the series but can be bought as a back issue for £6. ATB website....After the Battle - Home The ATB publication would be a sound source of information with those already listed for reading in preparation for a visit.
Depends on how deep you want to go - for example Malta: reports on airfields, seaplane stations and aircraft | The National Archives Reference: AIR 40/1992 Description: Malta: reports on airfields, seaplane stations and aircraft Date: 1941 July - 1943 Aug. Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description TD
I'm confused - your post above is #17 and post #1 only gives the date he was shot down, before being sent to Germany - dont see a date he died TD
Thanks a lot for all the help everyone. Harry that is great, I had no idea there were so many airfields, but I'm guessing as there was only the biplanes initially some would have been built until after the date he was shot down in 1942? Thanks for the link to the magazine as well. I suspect this will be a once in a lifetime trip so it would be rude not to find out as much as I can before going. TD, Tim is correct. If you click on the link in my first post on this thread then look at post 17 on the thread it takes you to it is actually one you posted where you found his date of death was 4 Feb 1965. As far as how deep I want to go, I'd love to find out as much as I can about his exploits so if I'm lucky enough to be in Kew again I will definitely be looking at the reports you have found there. Thank you again for the help, Michael
You may need to do more research re Kew, that file is just one example See you in 6 months then, have fun TD
