Stalag 357 POW - Alexander Macpherson

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by Shaunmac85, Sep 26, 2012.

  1. Shaunmac85

    Shaunmac85 Junior Member

    I am in the process of researching my family tree and am looking for more information about my grandfather. From the details I have found so far he was Private No: 4986664 for the Sherwood Forresters and was captured in North Africa during WW2. He ended up in Stalag 357 (Oerbke, Lower Saxony) POW No: 32572. If anyone has come across him or has anymore information it would be greatly appreciated.

    Kind Regards
    Shaun
     
  2. NickFenton

    NickFenton Well-Known Member

    Shaun,

    I'm back at Kew next week so l will pull out his POW Questionnaire that he will have completed upon his return. No guarantees but it will help you find out about his POW days that will not appear on his service record.

    Have you applied for his service record or details from the International Red Cross?

    Regards,

    Nick
     
  3. NickFenton

    NickFenton Well-Known Member

    Shaun,

    Your Grandfathers POW Liberation Questionnaire.

    Regards,

    Nick
     

    Attached Files:

    othmarsingen and Smudger Jnr like this.
  4. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Well done Nick.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    As Shaun hasnt been on the forum since 12-10-2012 I've sent them a message from the admin email account.
     
  6. Shaunmac85

    Shaunmac85 Junior Member

    Hi Guys, sorry Ive been a bit tied up with work of late so the family tree took a back seat but Im extremely grateful to you Nick for taking the time to get that for me, cannot wait to have a good look! And thanks to Owen for the email,Shaun
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Ah that's a relief was worried email might end up in your spam folder Shaun.
    I like the forum when it all works out well like this.
     
  8. NickFenton

    NickFenton Well-Known Member

    Thanks Guys,

    I'm always worried that after a period, the connection gets lost so well done, a pleasure.

    Nick
     
  9. Shaunmac85

    Shaunmac85 Junior Member

    Yes I agree, it's a very helpful tool connecting with people who know their way around this type of research. I know Nick mentioned in an earlier post about me getting my grandfathers service record from the International Red Cross, would this be substantial or just more likely to be a 1 page thing? Feeling fully inspired to hop back on the family tree tonight and get working, Have the whole other side of grandfathers to look into which is exciting. Shaun
     
  10. NickFenton

    NickFenton Well-Known Member

    Shaun,

    Depends on the unit but it will be all his training units and dates, any incidents but not court appearances, as these are kept from us. Usually a couple of pages.

    Well worthwhile document but it takes it's time coming.

    Nick
     
  11. Shaunmac85

    Shaunmac85 Junior Member

    Ok Nick, thanks for the help
     
  12. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Shaun,

    Just to clarify Nicks reply as I think he may have mixed up Red Cross and Service record enquiries

    1. I got Red Cross (ICRC)papers for my late father last month after 13 month wait. It was a "certified" 2 sided A4 typed document - a precis of my fathers POW history drawing info from documents in their files - basically info they got from Italian & German sources. It corroborated the info on his POW questionnaire.

    However in addition they sent me a copy of a post card my father sent from Stalag XVIIIB in July 1944.

    It costs nothing for a relative to apply for copy of Red Cross papers. It is an online service - I don't have the computer skills or would copy link here but I am sure that a kind member will do so.

    2. Service Records can be obtained from MOD veterans agency. My understanding is that they provide copies of all papers on their files. It costs £30 and takes about a year to get a reply.

    If you look under service record sub forum you will see examples of service records so you will get an idea of what to expect - could be over a dozen handwritten contemporaneously completed documents.

    Steve Y
     
  13. NickFenton

    NickFenton Well-Known Member

    Steve,

    As my teacher said 'must try harder', i will not tell you what my reply was. He did not like it.

    Shaun, i will leave you with the experts on army POW's, l can tell you about when the RAF Sergeants arrived in an already over crowded Fallingbostal and how they were all marched North from April to May 1945.

    Regards,

    Nick
     
  14. Shaunmac85

    Shaunmac85 Junior Member

    Hi guys

    Thanks for the helpful info, I will have a look online regarding ordering the Red Cross info, I've already placed an order for copy death certificate for my two grandfathers and once received (est 4th Dec) I will get my applications off to the MOD. Very frustrating to hear the wait is in excess of a year but I'm hoping good things will come to those who wait.

    I would be very interested to know more info regarding the camps and march so any links etc would be appreciated.

    Regards Shaun
     

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