Pte G W Cope & Stalag XXA, Thorn/Torun (B.A.B 20), XXB Marienburg/Malbork (B.A.B 84) & VIIIB Teschen

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by LCpl Lee Cope, Sep 8, 2013.

  1. LCpl Lee Cope

    LCpl Lee Cope Active Member

    Hello folks,

    I was wondering if someone could clarify something for me.

    Before George's wife Annie died she mentioned something about a "French Citation". I am at a loss as to understanding what this could be for and Annie even applied for one from the MOD.

    Please see the attached image.

    As you can see from the image, Annie was told to write to the French Embassy in London...

    What & why would Annie try to apply for a French Citation?

    Anyone know?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    The only way to really know would be to write as the MOD letter says to the French Embassy with details. The French awarded quite a number of medals to non French people during and after WW2 for a variety of reasons, although most would be to do with aiding French (civilians or military).

    TD
     
  3. LCpl Lee Cope

    LCpl Lee Cope Active Member

    Oh, thanks TD... So George could have done something outstanding...

    This throws a new light upon things, mainly because George's children stated for the record that George never spoke a word of the War too anyone, not even to his wife - never! Nothing! Nada!

    So why would Annie be writing and asking for a French citation from the MOD and being passed onto the French Embassy in London?

    This makes me think that Annie knew a lot more than she let onto her children.

    which is totally understandable... I know that many did, but how could any man keep something so horrendous in for so long without going crazy... George must have spoken to Annie at some point about what happened over there.

    TBC
     
  4. LCpl Lee Cope

    LCpl Lee Cope Active Member

    Has anybody here ever written off to The French Embassy in London?

    How do I go about beginning such a letter?

    Are their any formalities that I have to adhere too?
     
  5. LCpl Lee Cope

    LCpl Lee Cope Active Member

    I had some more photo's emailed to me today from Georges Children & Grandchildren.

    The boxing photo is a great image and one I'd hoped to receive for a while now, and the other image's are of George and all the other Castle Gresley, Coton & Barton Under Needwood lads who signed up for WW2.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. LCpl Lee Cope

    LCpl Lee Cope Active Member

    Today I was sent another photo of Pte George William Cope during his time as a POW.

    This image is obviously from his time as a boxer and I hope you will agree it's a brilliant photo!

    George looks quite handy in the ring and not afraid of a fight.

    It also has to be said that all the POW's attitude to never give up, must have come in quite useful in the boxing ring.
     

    Attached Files:

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  7. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    Hard to tell but looks more like an axle stand under the truck rather than a jack.

    Another possibility regarding the ripped off corners is not what's on the front of the photographs but on the rear. For example maybe your g uncle wanted to give his name and address to another POW and the photos were the only 'paper' to hand to write it on - perhaps during the long march or at time of liberation.

    Lee
     
  8. LCpl Lee Cope

    LCpl Lee Cope Active Member

    Hello folks,

    How pleased am I to show a photo of Pte Henry Chapman that was sent to me by the partner of the granddaughter of Henry.

    Pte Henry H Chapman,
    Regiment: The Green Howards
    Reg#: 4393691
    Pow#: 33362
    Date of death: 11 Apr 1945 - died as a result of an air raid upon The Long March.
     

    Attached Files:

    Owen likes this.
  9. BarbaraWT

    BarbaraWT Member

     
  10. BarbaraWT

    BarbaraWT Member

    Hi, my Uncle was in POW working parties, so I find the photo very interesting. We can only imagine what they suffered being POWs from 1940. Such a long time to be imprisoned.
     
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  11. Alucard

    Alucard Member

    Hi. I realise air raids happened elsewhere, but do you happen to know if Pte Henry Chapman was killed at Bayreuth in Bavaria ? A lot of POW's were killed in an air raid on 11th April 1945 when in Bayreuth. If this is the case, then it could be highly likely that he was one of those on the march from BAB 20 at Reigersfield in Ober Silesia. Also was Pte Henry Chapman at Stalag XXA at some point ? Is he buried at Durnbach ? As a number of those killed on this occasion were.

    Best Wishes
     
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  12. John West

    John West Active Member

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  13. BarbaraWT

    BarbaraWT Member

    After the war, it seems many people just wanted to forget. Those who had been through the worst of it were silenced or silent!
     
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  14. Miki Nowa

    Miki Nowa New Member

    Eulenberg je český hrad Sovinec u Roemerstadt / Rýmařova, v tom výčku táborů vám chybí Sternberg / Šternberk odkaz Zajatecké tábory na Šternbersku – Michalov.cz
     
  15. james kingston

    james kingston New Member

    My father boxed at Jim Kingston. Blechammer xxa.
    Army No. 5499791.
    POW No. 12877.
    Taken Prisoner 12.6.1940.
     

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  16. james kingston

    james kingston New Member

    My father Jim Kingston Boxing jimmy314 copya copy.jpg at Blechammer, he`s the one on the ropes.
     
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  17. LCpl Lee Cope

    LCpl Lee Cope Active Member

    Hello, I'm playing catch up with a lot of posts on this thread and at first glance, there's been more interest during my time away.

    I was looking through some family files yesterday and realised that I hadn't posted the paperwork that was returned to me by the MOD. It's George's WW2 service and casualty records, which I requested a few years ago; I'll post it all here for you to take a look.

    One piece of information that caught my eye was that the Cope family (at the time of 1939-1945) was living in Manchester. I had a suspicion that this was the case, but this is hard proof and opens up even more questions. They originally all lived in Castle Gresley, South Derbyshire and after 1945, went back there... So, why did they more their entire life to Manchester?

    Also, I was under the impression that George was awarded two medals after the war. The 1939-1945 Star and the British War Medal. However, there's another medal placed into the equasion and I cannot read what it says... Anyone hazard a guess please?

    Thank you and Merry Christmas.
     
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  18. LCpl Lee Cope

    LCpl Lee Cope Active Member

    Hello,

    I went out and purchased this book straight after you posted your commont on this thread. Thank you so much for directing me towards it. The book was and still has proven to be very useful in my research regarding my extremely BRAVE grand uncle George.
     
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  19. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Think you will find it says 'Authy' i.e. short for Authority. If you look at the other forms the term is often used to support a particular entry.
     
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  20. LCpl Lee Cope

    LCpl Lee Cope Active Member

    Thank you for your reply. It's this part of the documents that I'm refering too. Is it this bit that you mean?
     

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