Fusilier James Edwin Alexandre Blore
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3324/177
Name: 3449492 Fus. Blore, James Edwin Alexandre.
Unit: 8th Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers, 42nd Division.
Captured: France, 20th May 1940.
Escaped: Renaix, 6th July 1940.
Left: Brussels, 15th October 1944.
Arrived: U.K., 15th October 1944.
Date of Birth: 9th April 1921.
Army Service: T.A. Since 1st January 1939.
Peacetime Profession: Electrical engineer.
Private Address: 103 Halliwell Street, Salford, 5. Lancashire.
1. Capture:
In Apr 40 my company, under the command of Lt. WILSON, was attached to a Scottish Regiment on the France-Belgian frontier. On 10 May the Germans entered BELGIUM and we moved up to WERVICQ (N.W. EUROPE 1:250,000, Sheet 2, H 75). On 12 May the Germans attacked our position, and we retreated during the night. We continued to retreat for the next seven days, by which time we had reached FRANCE. About 20 May my section's gun and truck were put out of action, and Cpl. HIGGINS, who was in command, ordered Fus. Robert NORGAN and men to report to Headquarters for instructions. We lost our way, however, and found ourselves at the Headquarters of a Scottish Regiment. That night the Germans attacked, and after about five hours' fighting we were surrounded. Capt. STONE ordered us to surrender.
2. Attempted Escapes:
We were sent North in slow stages. On 6 Jun we reached VALENCIENNES (J 00) and as we were passing through the town, NORGAN and I slipped from the column of march into an empty house. We remained there in hiding for four days. The only food we had was rhubarb and sugar which we found in the house.
On 10 Jun we decided to make our way South, but had only gone a short distance when we were arrested. We were taken to MONS (Sheet 5, J 31) by train. We were put into a barracks in which were housed some Hitler Jugend troops, and were forced to help them in their task of unloading lorries, etc. The day after our arrival French and Moroccan prisoners joined us. We were then sent to a camp nearby, where we met several wounded British prisoners.
3. Escape:
From about 20 Jun we were marched North for about 16 days, by which time we had reached SOISSONS, south of RENAIX (Sheet 2, J 04). We again slipped from the column of march and hid in an empty beer house. We changed into civilian clothes which we found there, and the same day (about 6 Jul) we set off walking North West, hoping to reach the coast.
We went through LESSINES (J 24), FLO[?]ECQ (J 14), RENAIX (J Q4) to a point South of AUDEMARDE (J 05). We crossed the ESCAUT canal by walking past a sentry who was guarding a bridge, and finally arrived at CASTER (J 05) about 13 Jul. During this time we lived on food given us at farmhouses, and any vegetables we found in the fields.
4. Subsequent Experiences:
When we reached CASTER we went to a house for food and were immediately invited inside and given a meal. Shortly afterwards a woman who could speak English was brought to see us, and after questioning us closely, she took us back with her to her house. We remained at this address for 14 months, working on the farm. The Germans visited the house twice, but both times we escaped detection.
In Sep 41 we were visited by a woman who said she could get us back to the U.K. On 23 Sep we left with her by train for WARNETON (H 65) where we spent the night. The next day we walked through the barrier into FRANCE. Our guide took us to an address in COMINES (H 65) where we remained for three weeks. At the end of this time we were told that arrangements had fallen through and that the organisation was not sending anyone further South.
About the middle of Oct we returned to CASTER on the advice of our helper, who said she would try to contact another organisation. We set out once again with her at the beginning of Nov, and after crossing the French border reached FRELINGHEIN (H 64). Here we were visited by two men who told us that plans were being made to sent us to the U.K. by plane, in a few days' time. This plan also fell through, however, and about 7 Nov we returned to our former address at COMINES. On 23 Nov I was moved to WARNETON, while NORGAN returned to CASTER.
I remained in WARNETON until 23 Sep 42. That day my hostess was arrested by the Gestapo for her activities in the underground movement. I managed to hide in time and was not discovered. The next day a man took me to COMINES. I remained here until Nov 43. About this time I heard that NORGAN had been arrested in YPRES. I immediately left the house in which I was staying and went to another address in the town. On 29 Nov I was taken by lorry to WASQUEHAL (H 74) where I stayed until Sep 44.
On 3 Sep the F.F.I. took over the town. This was the first day in which I dared to go out of the house. Some days later British troops entered WASQUEHAL. I reported to Major DENNETT Lancashire Fusiliers on 13 Sep and was told to await orders. At the end of three weeks I reported to 39 R.H.U. Camp. I was taken to ROUBAIX, where I again saw Major DENNETT. I was told to go back to WASQUEHAL and to report daily to 39 R.H.U. Camp.
A few days later I was sent to BRUSSELS, which I left on 15 Oct by air for the U.K.