Seeking info - James William manders RAOC - ST Omer 1940 - Stalag XXA thorn camp 20b

Hi guys I'm looking for any info about my grandad James William manders. I have recently discovered he was a POW at stalag XXA thorn. James was 14th company RAOC and was captured St Omer 23/5/1940. POW no 6565. His DOB was 08/05/1916.Service no :2064337. I have also found documents on ancestry stating he was in camp 20b. I would love to find out more info on his movements between 1940-1945 as like many other families this was never spoke about. Tia if anyone can point me in the right direction to look.

 

Hi guys I'm looking for any info about my grandad James William manders. I have recently discovered he was a POW at stalag XXA thorn. James was 14th company RAOC and was captured St Omer 23/5/1940. POW no 6565. His DOB was 08/05/1916.Service no :2064337.i have also found documents on ancestry stating he was in camp 20b. I would love to find out more info on his movements between 1940-1945 as like many other families this was never spoke about. Tia if anyone can point me in the right direction to look.

 

Hi guys I'm looking for any info about my grandad James William manders. I have recently discovered he was a POW at stalag XXA thorn. James was 14th company RAOC and was captured St Omer 23/5/1940. POW no 6565. His DOB was 08/05/1916.Service no :2064337.i have also found documents on ancestry stating he was in camp 20b. I would love to find out more info on his movements between 1940-1945 as like many other families this was never spoke about. Tia if anyone can point me in the right direction to look.

 

Welcome to the forum.
I've merged your 3 threads into one as it will be easier to keep track of replies & stops dupilcation of members efforts to help.

 

Thank you im new to forums .

 

Sarah,

Welcome aboard. Others here are POW experts, hopefully they will be along.

Do you have his Date of birth (DoB) and Service Number? They can help the sleuths here find out more. We always recommend applying for a Service Record, which is the definitive document. How etc on message to come next.

I did an online search: "14th company" + "Royal Army Ordnance Corps" and there appears to be very little on the company. There is nothing here; not unusual for a logistics unit.

RAOC companies were often attached to a particular division, alas a search did not identify which one in May 1940.

 

Thank you so much,any help is appreciated,I am a newbie to forums so please bear with .The info I found was from national archives other than that I did find something in ancestry to say he was in camp 20b staglag XXX -Thorn.

 

Sarah,

I will add his Dob 8/5/1916 in Birmingham and his Service Number is 2064337. That info has to be in the text to enable searching.

 

So after chatting to a guy on the stalag XXA page on facebook.He has done a bit of digging.I know if anyone has anymore info on this?
This is a bit of guess work. I think your Grandfather was part of a 'Don Detail'. These were adhoc units created to try and guard the rear and flanks of the BEF whilst the Infantry and Tank Brigades tried to Halt the German advance. Lord Gort the Commanding General of the BEF formed these details from units such as the engineers, the RAOC, RASC and training units. They were supplied with Artillery and supposed to hold areas until the infantry/tanks had retreated to them. Some of these Don details were at St Omer and the surrounding area on the 22nd May. The German front line troops position themselves opposite St Omer on the Night of the 22nd and I guess your Grandfather was captured during the battle to take the village on the 23rd.