Tim Hayhoe
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Status: Offline | POW records are generally those of the public record office record of those in German camps in September 1944: (now tna ref wo 392/1) lists of camp, name, service number, pow number, rank, regiment, and recording office number: thats all there is in the complete records -although these are being re collated later this year and will be every entry and the full list including a detailed tutorial on camps etc.
If you need specific POW data after that starter: then there are 3 main sources.
POW record cards are still held as classified by the MOD, however they can be obtained by next of kin or with NoKs permission along with the full service records set.
The national archives: section WO344 holds 140,000 returning POW questionaires: these would be quite detailed if fully filled in:
As well as giving personal details, name, rank, number, unit and home address, these records can include: date and place of capture; main camps and hospitals in which imprisoned and work camps; serious illnesses suffered while a prisoner and medical treatment received; interrogation after capture; escape attempts; sabotage; suspicion of collaboration by other Allied prisoners; details of bad treatment by the enemy to themselves or others.
In addition, individuals were given the opportunity to bring to official notice any other matters, such as courageous acts by fellow prisoners or details of civilians who assisted them during escape and evasion activities. Consequently, additional documentation is sometimes attached.
Both questionnaires also enquire if the prisoner had witnessed or had any information about war crimes. If so, they were required to complete a form ’Q’. These forms contained information about behaviour of enemy captors which could constitute illegal acts
However, I don’t think these are digitised, so it’s worth checking to see if the record you are seeking is listed within these records and either making an appointment to visit or seeking the help of a professional researcher who can do this for you.
WO208 has the histories of each camp in them: however I’d recommend once you know the name of the camp just searching the internet for the name as there are numerous excellent websites for most camps.
The third source is the international red cross in Geneva: this is quite expensive (£60 typically per search) and takes 1 year + -however they are currently not taking on new searches as they are digitising their WWI pow reports. | | Report Post |
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