Pictures
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Pictures
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Private Charles Andrews
Unit : 1st Battalion The Highland Light Infantry, 127th Infantry Brigade.
Served : France (captured).
Army No. : 3308433
POW No. : 14472
Camps : Stalag VIIIB
Private Charles Andrews was wounded and taken prisoner at Ypres on the 28th May 1940. First sent to Stalag XIIA, he was transferred to Stalag VIIIB in Poland, from where he was repatriated to Britain in October 1943. The following is his diary up to this time:
Tuesday, February 10 1942
Baby Violet's 3rd Birthday.
Thursday, March 9 1942
Received my 4th clothing parcel from home, containing:
1 Pyjama Suit
2 pr Socks
1 Shirt
3 Bars Soap
1 Scarf
1 pr Mittens
2 Tins Toothpaste
2 Sticks Shaving Soap
2 Tins Hair Cream
6 Razor Blades
25 Bars Chocolate
And 3 Reels of Cotton, which were retained by the Camp Authorities
Saturday, March 13 1942
Received my first letter from Sister-in-Law (Em)
Monday, March 16 1942
Letter from Violet dated 14.2.1942
Tuesday, March 17 1942
St. Patrick's Day (Grandmother's Birthday)
March 19 1942
My 32nd Birthday
Saturday, March 21 1942
Passed Medical Officer (Major Harvey) for the Commission in view of repatriation
April 10 1942
Army Service expired 2 years ago
Thursday, April 23 1942
Admitted to new Camp Hospital. Received photographs from home
Saturday, April 25 1942
X-Ray - Result - D.U. (Fractional Test Meal) [Note: This may mean a Duodenal Ulcer]
Thursday, May 7 1942
Examined by German Doctor
Friday, May 8 1942
Fractional Test Meal
Saturday, May 9 1942
X-Ray and Barium Meal
Monday, May 11 1942
Received 120 Cigarettes from Capt. Bowes. Swiss Medical Commission arrived
Wednesday, May 13 1942
Passed Swiss Commission for repatriation
Thursday, May 14 1942
Received 150 Cigarettes from Unit
May 28 1942
Captured at Ypres 2 years ago today. 2nd Anniversary of Dad's death
February 21 1943
Remitted 10£ to Wife
March 5 1943
Received 1st letter from Tom
March 19 1943
Received 200 Cigarettes from the Vicar of Tilbury & friends
May 17 1943
Wrote to Tom & N[?] and Tom Abbott
December 1
To be purchased for:
H.J. Holmes
17 McLean Street
Glaborne, N.Zealand
1 pair Blue Yorkshire Canaries
1 pair White " "
1 pair Fancy " "
1 pair Created Roller " "
1 Tutor Roller "
4 pair Bullfinches
2 pair Hawfinches
2 pair Linnets
1 x Border Fancy
Bramble Finches
2 pair Love Birds
[A puzzling entry. His daughter, Violet, has revealed that he planned to take the family to New Zealand after the War. It is wondered whether he intended to start a business with H.J. Holmes?]
My thanks to Barbara Smith for this account.