Sapper James Fotheringham
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3324/46
Name: 2820096 Spr. Fotheringham, James.
Unit: 26th Field Company, R.E.
Captured: St. Valery-en-Caux, 10th June 1940.
Escaped: Near Forges les Eaux, 17th June 1940.
Left: Brussels, 25th September 1944.
Arrived: U.K., 25th September 1944.
Date of Birth: 16th January 1913.
Army Service: Since 29th August 1938.
Peacetime Profession: Painter.
Private Address: 3, Birchview Terrace, Granton-on-Spey.
1. CAPTURE.
I was captured with my company at ST. VALERY-EN-CAUX on 10 Jun 40.
2. ESCAPE.
Seven days later I escaped from the column of route with Cpl. McDONALD, Gordon Highlanders, near FORGES LES EAUX (N.W. EUROPE, 1:250,000, Sheet 4, M 53). For about a month McDONALD and I wandered about the countryside. At one time we made our way on foot to ETAPLES (Sheet 1, G 63) where we intended to try to obtain a boat. We were unable to do this owing to the proximity of German troops. We then started walking East, and in early Jul we had up in a hut in a forest at BATTENCOURT (N.W. EUROPE, 1:250,000, Sheet 4, M 87). This wood was later surrounded by Germans, and one day McDONALD left me and did not return. I was told by the local French people that he had been captured.
I made my way to HEUCOURT (M 86) where I was sheltered by a farmer. I remained with this man for four years, and during that time I did not leave the village.
Towards the end of Sep (date unknown) Allied troops arrived in HEUCOURT. I was sent to AMIENS and thence to BRUSSELS, where I was interrogated by I.S.9 (W.E.A.).