Hello. My father, Stanley Roy Eldridge, now deceased, was a South African POW in Italy during WWII. I am trying to find out more about his POW experiences. He served with the First Transvaal Scottish Regiment in North Africa and was captured at Tobruk. I know that he worked on Italian farms. After the Italian collapse, he escaped across the Alps to Switzerland and was interned until the end of the war. He was involved with the POW newspaper Marking Time and he won a water polo medal in a competition at Sirnach. The Transvaal Scottish Regiment doesn't have much information (and I live in Australia). Thanks, Russell Eldridge
Hi Russell, By good fortune I have on file (jpeg) the list of POW's held by the Italians, WO 392, kept at the National Archives, Kew, London. Pte. 241358 S.R. Eldridge was held at camp number 66, which is Capua. There must be a good chance that this is your father? If you would like the actual jpeg image for his entry, then pm me and we can work out how I can get that to you. Cheers. Bamboo.
Hi Bamboo, Many thanks for your reply. I'm pretty sure that's my father. I'm not quite sure how this forum works. My email is reldridge1 at gmail.com I'd love to hear more. Cheers, Russell
Hi Russell, That is really the only information I can give you. I will email it over soon. Capua is a town a few kilometres North of Naples as far as I can see from Google maps. Bamboo.
There is a report that was made by S R Eldridge when he arrived in Switzerland. It is in File No. WO208/4249. He seems to have been Captured 12/6/42 and made a Report in Switzerland 17/11/43. He would have been in more than one Camp in Italy. Brian
Bamboo43 Do you have any record of a GERALD LAWRENCE BAXTER (Rifleman 2nd South African Div) ? I believe he was POW at Camp 54 and then Camp 65 , escaped then recaptured and POW at Stalag 4F and Stalag (Luft ??) 11A Regards Kevin Baxter Hi Russell, By good fortune I have on file (jpeg) the list of POW's held by the Italians, WO 392, kept at the National Archives, Kew, London. Pte. 241358 S.R. Eldridge was held at camp number 66, which is Capua. There must be a good chance that this is your father? If you would like the actual jpeg image for his entry, then pm me and we can work out how I can get that to you. Cheers. Bamboo.
In my POW Lists Rfn G L Baxter 11618 is listed for Italy but no Camp is given. He is listed as St 11A in 1945 POW No 141924
Hi Kevin, I cannot add anymore detail to what Brian has stated. You are more than welcome to a jpeg of his entry in WO392. Just pm me and we will sort it. Bamboo.
Bamboo Would you be able to check on my late father's information : Rifleman GERALD BAXTER South African 2nd Infantry Division Captured in Tobruk POW in Italy (Camp 54 ??) Camp 65 Aug 1942 - Apr 1943 Escaped Sept 1943 (I think with Pte. Bailey and Pte. Currie) Recaptured Feb 1944 POW in Germany Stalag 4F and Stalag (Luft ??) 11A Mar 1944 - May 1944 Work camp Dessau May 1944 - Apr 1945 Your assistance would be greatly appreciated . Regards Kevin Baxter
Hi Kevin, From the list of WO392 your father only has his name, rank and service number against his entry. No camp number is given. I only have this document in my possession and have no expertise in this field of research. However, I looked up the other two men you mention and have come up with some info. Rifleman 11620 P.D. Bailey, held at Camp 146. Rifleman 11623 J.K. Currin, also held at 146. Camp 146 is simply stated as a 'work camp'? No geographical location is given. There are numerous Bailey's and Currie's/Currin's on the list for South African troops, but these two stood out because their service numbers are so close to your father's. I am sure Brian will be able to add to this and fill in some of the gaps. Bamboo.
My Records show; PM 3100 Liguria District PG 146 Mortara : Strength 30/6/43 2344 - 1734 British and 610 South Africans. Position 45:14.5 N - 08:43E
PM 3300 Central District PG 54 Fara in Sabina (20mls N.E. of Rome)at Altitude 744ft. Camp in three sections,one of buildings two probably tents. Strength 30/6/43 - 2 Officers 3143 ORs; 2088 British - 1 Australian - 1056 South Africans - Some ORs transfered to Germany 25/7/43 Position 42.15N : 19.09E
ADM199 Many thanks for your reply -- this is some of the better information I have been able to gather . Do you know where I may be able to find more information/photographs from ? I have cearched through literally 100s of sites with little success . ICRC have said they have information but it will take 5-6 months !!! Your help is greatly appreciated Regards Kevin
Bamboo Many thanks for your reply .Any information / assistance you may offer is greatly appreciated --- I have trawled 100s of reports/sites with little success . Regards Kevin
Kevin, I am going to see how many pages the South African POW list entails and then consider how I can get that to you. I will pm you soon. Bamboo.
He gives his Rank as Pte.D.O.B. 8/9/1914 Enlisted 4/4/1940 ang gives his profession as Trader. Address:- Stokes Basin P.O.Askeaton Via Lady Frere, Transkei C.P. S/Africa. Captured 21/6/42 like most of the Kaffrarian Rifles. PG 65 16/8/42 - 8/4/43 -- St 11A 25/3/44 - 16/5/44 Work Details Farm Work-Mortara 8/4/43 - 8/9/43 Dessau 16/5/44 - 12/4/45 Unloading Coal. Escaped Italy 9/9/43 and recaptured 12/2/44.. There should be plenty of P.O.W. Camp photos in the Australian Archive and you could also try the Alexander Turnbull Library in New Zealand.
Hi Bamboo43 I am very interesed in you jpeg copy of the WO 392 which may help me put some more pieces to a family puzzle regarding Pte Llewellyn Bowen, my grand father who was captured at Tobruk along with many others of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment. The story goes something like he and about 200 POWs walked out of the camp, along with many of the Italian guards, after the capitulation. He then survive 18 months in caves in the hills, relying on the good will and trust of the local population, before eventually walking south to Allied lines! As a final twist, I believe he was picked up by Free French who, suspicious of their ragged and wretched appearance, threw them into prison until an interpreter could be found. As with many others, I would love to be able to fill in some of the details and possibly retrace his journey. Would the above document have details of which camp he was in? I would be most grateful.
Richard, So sorry I seemed to have completely missed your post, I do hope you catch up with this thread again? Attached is Pte. Bowen's entry and the camps list. Steve.
I am currently looking for information on my grandfather I have in my possession a photo taken of him on 19th Nov 1942 with the following information written on the back SGT J.N Phillips 26029 PG 52 PM 3100 Italy He was captured at the battle of Sidi Rezegh on 22 Nov 1941. He was a member of the 3rd field regiment of the Transvaal Horse Artillery attached to 5 South African infantry Brigade. I believe he was moved from this camp in Chiaveri, Italy during 1943 but I am unsure where he was moved to. Any information on his where abouts during this time as POW would be greatly appreciated Regards Paul