Small collection of POW groups. ** REGIONAL ADMIN. AWARD & CERT. OF MERIT. *A RECOMMENDED POST

[azyeoman]

A nice and interesting QSA to a Scotts Grey.

 

QSA: CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, JOHANNESBURG, BELFAST - Officially named to:  ‘4079 PTE. J. MCKILLIGAN. 2ND DRAGOONS 

John McKilligan (Hardie) was a native of Dranie, Lossiemouth, Morayshire. He seems to have had a tough childhood, for by the time he was aged four he was living with his grandparents whose surname was McKilligan. Enlisting in Glasgow in 1895, he served with the 2nd Dragoons who arrived in South Africa in December 1899 and took part in the Relief of Kimberley. McKilligan did not get earn that clasp - possibly on account of illness.  According to South African Surrenders (TNA WO108/372, refers), McKilligan on 27 May 1900:"Was captured when out scouting, his horse was killed and fell on him preventing his escape." 'Further proof of his capture comes from the list of released Prisoners of War published in The Times, with his release on 6 June 1900. Additionally, he is entitled to the King's Medal which was issued under the surname 'Hardie'. The medal may have been returned and the roll is unclear. Appears to be one of only four Medals with this combination of clasps issued to the regiment. Rolls confirm QSA issued as McKilligan 
 

[azyeoman]

Further research shows that McKilligan, was Hardie & Hardie on his service papers as seen below.  He was captured on 26 May 1900 at Vet River while scouting.  It appears that he was issued a KSA with two clasps as either 4079 Pte. J. Hardie or Hardy.  

[POWCollector]

Amazing research! I haven’t seen many Boer War groups (nor even 1st/2nd World War) where the circumstances of capture for an individual is documented! Other than those listed on Gallantry medal citations, I’ve only 1 group in my collection where this info exists!

 

Excellent detective work on confirming the alias too!

 

Great posts.

[azyeoman]

5 hours ago, POWCollector said:

Amazing research! I haven’t seen many Boer War groups (nor even 1st/2nd World War) where the circumstances of capture for an individual is documented! Other than those listed on Gallantry medal citations, I’ve only 1 group in my collection where this info exists!

 

Excellent detective work on confirming the alias too!

 

Great posts.

Hi Rob,

There’s actually a lot of info on the British POWs as The grounds on which each person was taken prisoner was investigated.  One of the publications from The Royal Commission on the War in South Africa contains the results of these enquiries.  For the most part, prisoners were exonerated but in some instances the captives were later subject to disciplinary action.  The Royal Commission on the War in South Africa lists all surrenders, gives  brief details of the incident, numbers involved and the outcome of the investigation.

[azyeoman]

A new pair for an interesting battle, Mostert's Hoek (Reddersberg)

 

QSA: CC, OFS, TR with 'Ghost Dates' visible. All bars confirmed on roll. Officially engraved in italics to 5299. J. RYAN. R. Ir. Rif.
KSA: SA01, SA02 officially named in small impressed capitals to 5299. PTE. J. RYAN. RL. IRISH RIFLES.

 

Pte. Ryan was captured on the 4th of April 1900 and released at Waterval on the 6th of June, 1900.

 

     On 3 April 1900, Captain McWhinnie and a column were on duty proclaiming the Queen's Peace and accepting the surrender of Boer farmers in the area of Reddersberg. When unexpectedly threatened by a large Boer Commando, Captain McWhinnie and his three rifle companies and one mounted company of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Rifles (and one attached mounted company of the 5th Fusiliers), adopted a defensive position on a nearby feature which was too large for his small force to defend.

     The Boer Commander, De Wet, conscious of the superiority of his force, invited McWhinnie to surrender, and, on receiving a curt rebuff, began the battle. The Rifles had a very uncomfortable night with little food and water. At dawn on 4 April, the Boers closed in and overran part of the position. So close were the Boers to the Riflemen that when Bugler Longhurst attempted to dash five yards from an exposed position to a safer one he fell dead into his chosen spot with nine Boer bullets in his body. Later when the infiltrating Boers split what was left of the defensive position, Captain McWhinnie surrendered to the overwhelming enemy force consisting of 4,500 Boers and four artillery guns. The Rifles' losses totaled nine killed, 26 wounded and 388 taken prisoner, with the Fusiliers' casualties numbering some 14.

     When McWhinnie's force had been ordered towards Reddersberg, Field Marshal Lord Roberts had telegraphed General Gatacre about the emerging threat from De Wet's force. Gatacre failed to ensure the detachments threatened by De Wet's numerically superior force were withdrawn. Furthermore, when Gatacre's relief force was approaching, its forward scouts overlooking Reddersberg heard firing and instead of pushing on towards the fighting, Gatacre chose to retire. Although Kitchener countermanded Gatacre by ordering him towards Reddersberg it was too late for McWhinnie's doomed force. Gatacre, the commander of the disaster at Stormberg, was relieved of his command and departed for England several days later.

 

For more information please see two posts above and the links below:

 

www.angloboerwar.com/books/74-de-wet-thr...soner-at-reddersburg

and

www.angloboerwar.com/books/76-rosslyn-tw...ics-hoek-reddersburg

Edited December 14, 2021 by azyeoman

[azyeoman]

QSA: with 4 clasps: CC.OFS, TR, SA01, SA02 officially named to: 2985. PTE T. SYRIA. 107TH COY IMP. YEO.

Thomas Foster Syria, was born at Biggar, Lanarkshire in 1881, a shoe maker by trade he was serving with the 9th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers when he volunteered for the Imperial Yeomanry for service in South Africa on the 19/2/1901 at Lanark.  He was originally posted to the 17th Company, but was transferred to the 107th Company, 6th Battalion 17/04/1901. He served in South Africa 6/3/1901 – 4/8/1902.  The roll records show he was captured at Brakspruit on 13/11/1901 and released. He returned home, and was discharged on 11/8/1902 in Aldershot. He died in Glasgow in 1945.

 
Taken prisoner of war (P.O.W.) 13/11/1901:
Captured at Palmietfontein Hill on 13 November 1901, Gazetteer refers: 'On 13, November 1901 Lt-Col WB Hickie based at the farm Brakspruit sent out a force of about 95 officers and men from the 103rd and 107th companies Imperial Yeomanry commanded by Major Haughton, IY to reconnoiter the hill in search of the enemy. Three miles from the hill Major Haughton sent four troops under Captain Woolf to occupy the hill while he remained behind with 1 and a half troops. Captain Woolf signaled back that there was a party of mounted men under a hill two miles to the right. As Major Haughton tried to identify these men he was attacked from the right rear by a large party of 300 Boers. They held the Boers off for 1 and a half hours before surrendering, elements of Captain Woolf's party were also captured. British losses were five men killed, four mortally wounded, 14 wounded and 70 captured.' In this action, the Boers lost 4 killed and 8 wounded.

Another version reports:
Meanwhile, Boer resistance continued in the western Transvaal. Lt-Col W B Hickie, with a force of mounted troops and infantry, totaling about 870 men, was engaged in covering the construction of blockhouses on the Schoonspruit. On 13 November 1901, Hickie lost heavily at the farm, Brakspruit, 32km north-east of Klerksdorp, when two squadrons of Imperial Yeomanry (drawn from the 103rd and 107th Coys, 2nd Bn, and the 107th Coy, 6th Bn, IY), whom he had sent forward to reconnoiter, were destroyed. Ten men were killed or mortally wounded, eleven were wounded, and 64 were taken prisoner. In this action, the Boers lost four men killed and eight wounded (Wilson, Vol II, p 856; Maurice & Grant, Vol V, pp 339-40, 348; Watt, 2000; and Amery, Vol V, p 229)
 

[azyeoman]

Although not a medal, this photo is interesting with regards to the previous post on Indian troops captured and held in Germany.  This photo was taken in July 1942 during or after the first battle of El Alamein, which was from 1 - 27 July.  Seven thousand allied troops were captured, and there were 3,000 casualties alone in the 5th Indian Division.

[azyeoman]

And some more interesting ephemera regarding Boer War PoWs.  The top one is of a Boer PoW camp in Ceylon (Sri Lanka today), and the second one has the caption, "How the first British prisoners arrived in Pretoria, the three figures in front are Boer guards."

[azyeoman]

This is a very interesting group to a 1919 recipient of the OBE for war services regarding his repatriation of British PoWs from Rotterdam and Belgian refugees from Hull.

 

The group consists of an OBE (type I, civil) with the reverse hallmarked 1919, a BWM and Mercantile Marine Medal officially named to Leonard D Pinckney.

 

 

Pinckney's OBE was noted in the London Gazette of 26 of March 1920 under the King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services in connection with the War, to be dated 1st January, 1920:— Captain Leonard Durnford Pinckney. Master, SS Khyber.

 

Captain Leonard Pinckney received his early training in Conway and in due course entered the P & O Service. In August 1914 he commanded the Somali, and was engaged in the trooping service to and from India and Gallipoli.

The P&O steamship SS Somali was built in 1901 by Caird & Co of Greenock, Scotland. She acted as a Hospital ship conveying wounded Australians at Gallipoli during WW1. Later the Somali was equipped as a hospital ship and then he conveyed wounded from Gallipoli to Malta and Alexandria. She was broken up in Denmark in 1923

 

SS Somali

 

Later, while in command of SS Khyber after the armistice, Capt. Pinckney did eminent service in connection with the repatriation of prisoners of war from Rotterdam and Belgian refugees from Hull.  SS Khyber was owned by the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O Line) and used on the India/Far East service where she conveyed Australian troops home after WW1.  She was sold to Japan as scrap in 1931.

 

 

 

Captain Pinckney died suddenly at Port said on 23 October 1925 while commanding the P & O liner SS Mantau on an outward journey to China and Japan. Capt. Pinckney who was 55 years old had gone ashore and was at a luncheon table when he had a seizure and expired almost immediately. He was very popular with the traveling public and his officers.

 

 

SS Mantua
HMS Mantua was a 20th-century ocean liner and armed merchant cruiser. She was launched in 1909 as a passenger ship. Mantua was outfitted as an armed merchant cruiser in 1914 and served with the Royal Navy during World War I. On a voyage to Freetown in 1918, the passengers and crew of Mantua inadvertently spread the 1918 flu pandemic to Africa.

 

HMS Mantua

 

Edited March 21, 2022 by azyeoman

[azyeoman]

Q.S.A. single clasp Talana.  One of only 18 to the regiment and of 533 total single Talana-clasp QSAs.

5106 Pte. S.J. Jackson, 1 Leics. Regt.
Taken prisoner at Talana

Samuel Charles Jackson,a laborer, born in Sheffield in1879 and resided there too.  He was the son of James of 26 Orton St. in Derby and had two brothers.  He enlisted on 12/10/1897 in Leicester when 18 years and two months old. He was transferred to the 1st Bn. On 13/05/1899 when the regiment left for S. Africa.  He was in S. Africa until 06/06/1900 (one year and twenty-five days) It is noted that he was missing after the Battle of Dundee (Talana) from the 20th to the 26th of October 1899.  The roll confirms the single clasp, Talana. His service papers note that he was missing at the action and later released. He was returned home 7/6/1900, and was discharged on 27/02/1914.

Jackson    S C     5106    Private    1st Btn. Missing - released at Dundee. 26 Oct 1899. 
Source: Natal Field Force Casualty Roll, page 73 line 9
Jackson    S C            1st Battalion, Volunteer Service Company
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls
Jackson    S E     5106    Private    1st Btn. Missing - released at Dundee. 26 Oct 1899. 
Source: Natal Field Force Casualty Roll, page 71 line 10
Jackson    Samuel C    5106    Private    QSA (1) QSA known to exist
Source: List of QSAs with the clasp Talana from the Talana book

 

The 1st Battalion was stationed at Glencoe, in the north of Natal, when the war broke out. It thus formed part of the brigade of General Penn Symons, the other battalions being the 1st King's Royal Rifles, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, and 2nd Dublin Fusiliers. There were also at Glencoe the 18th Hussars and the 13th, 67th, and 69th Batteries RFA.
Actual fighting commenced at 3.20 am on the morning of 20th October, when a Mounted Infantry picquet of the Dublin Fusiliers was fired on and driven in. At 5.50 am the enemy occupied Talana Hill with artillery, and commenced shelling the camp. The troops were soon set in motion. To the Leicesters and 67th Battery was assigned the duty of guarding the camp with its great quantities of stores. The general decided to attack with his other infantry and artillery. These moved away and were soon in extended order advancing to a wood, which the commander had decided to use as a breathing place. The wood was gained between 7 and 8 am, the 13th and 69th Batteries meanwhile keeping up a heavy and accurate fire on the enemy's positions. About 8.50 the infantry again advanced, and as they left the wood had to face a terrible rifle-fire both from their front and flank. Sir W Penn-Symons, who had been exposing himself with rash bravery, fell mortally wounded about 9.30; Brigadier General Yule, now in command, directed the infantry to move to a wall stretching some distance along the hillside, from which wall a very heavy fire was being kept up by the Boers. The two batteries redoubled their efforts. The 1st King's Royal Rifles on the right first reached the wall, followed by some companies of the Irish Fusiliers; the Dublin Fusiliers also made their way up a little later. After another breathing space under cover of the wall the troops jumped the wall and scrambled up the steep face. At 1 pm the crest was gained and the enemy fled. Then followed the first blackguardly use of the white flag. Within easy range of our artillery were to be seen "clumps of 50 and 100 men on which guns could have inflicted great loss. The enemy, however, displayed a white flag, although they do not appear to have had any intention of surrendering, and in consequence the officer commanding Royal Artillery refrained from firing". One can scarcely acquit this officer from being very easily taken in, as the enemy's continued movement contradicted any idea of surrender.
The infantry had done magnificently; the same cannot be said of the Hussars, or at least those under Colonel Moller, who managed to get lost among the enemy, and was taken prisoner with 200 men. The artillery did well, but it seems beyond doubt that they fired at the hill-top after it was occupied by our people, causing some loss, particularly to the King's Royal Rifles. The range was short, and artillery officers with proper glasses should have seen when the British troops were up. The Leicesters lost 1 officer killed, 1 wounded, and 1 man wounded.
On the 21st General Yule moved his camp to a better position. On the 22nd he resolved to retreat on Ladysmith. At nine at night in silence, without bands or pipers, the force set out by the east or Helpmakaar road, the dying general, the other wounded, and the doctors being left. A great mass of stores had also to be left to the enemy, as its destruction would have made him suspect the intended retreat; while, on the other hand, a twelve hours' start was absolutely necessary. To have fought their way to Ladysmith would have been an impossible task for Yule's column in that hilly country. As it was, the Boers showed that inexplicable want of energy which seemed at times in the campaign to paralyse them. Probably the good things left in Dundee had something to do with the lack of activity. Fortunate it was that General Yule was not interfered with by the enemy, but the elements were not favourable. The rain at times fell in torrents; roads knee-deep in mud and swollen spruits made marching very heavy work, while but little sleep was obtainable between the 21st and 26th.

 

For more information on the battle: https://www.britishbattles.com/great-boer-war/battle-of-talana-hill/

 

[azyeoman]

A very welcome addition of a rare QSA with two clasps to a corporal in the Farmer's Guards.

 

QSA with OFS and SA01 officially named to: 33 Cpl. J. T. Smidt, Farmer's Guards.

Confirmed as having served in A Troop (W)100/247)

 

The Farmer’s Guard (formerly known as the Burgher Police) was formed in November 1901 from surrendered burghers who had to enlist for a 3-month period for of 5/- per day. They were responsible defending the property and cattle as well as for the safety of surrendered burghers who were farming in the so-called “protected area” of more than 30 km radius surrounding Bloemfontein.  Their reported strength was 600 and they commanding officer was Major E M Morris. The majority of the men came from the vicinity of Bloemfontein as well as the Southern and Eastern Free State. By Feb 1902 the radius of the area had been increased to some 65 km. The outposts were spaced at 9 km intervals on the perimeter and were manned by groups of 5-10 guards.

[azyeoman]

A fantastic and scarce/rare addition to the First World War section of the collection. Although scarce, medals to PoWs from Kut are on the market, but others, such as this one for the “Second Action of Es Salt” are rare and very desirable.

 

Great War Honorable Artillery Company Palestine Second action of Es Salt Casualty and Prisoner of War group

1914-15 Star – 894. Gnr. H.G. Loynes. H.A.C.
BWM – 894 Bmbr. H.G. Loynes. H.A.C. – ART.
Victory – 894 Bmbr. H.G. Loynes. H.A.C. – ART.

 

Herbert George Loynes came from Norwich, Norfolk, and originally enlisted on 19th April 1914 as a Gunner (No.894 later No.624309) into the Honorable Artillery Company - Artillery. Loynes saw service in Egypt from 13th November 1915 as a member of “I” Troop “A” Horse Battery, and fought in Palestine, being a Bombardier and Acting Sergeant when he was wounded and taken prisoner of war by the Turkish Forces on 1st May 1918 during operations in the Jordan Valley when caught up the in the German counter-attack in the aftermath of his participation in the Es Salt Raid, which is a known at the Second Action of Es Salt or the Second Battle of the Jordan.  Acting Sgt. Herbert George Loynes, HAC was interned in Afion KaraHissar. 
 

With: 

Great War period single dog tag, stamped: ‘624309 H.G. LOYNES HAC A CE’

Great War period brass Honorable Artillery Company other ranks cap badge, version with revolving wheel. 

Pair of Great War period brass ‘HAC-A’ (Honorable Artillery Company - Artillery) shoulder titles. 

Pair of Great War period brass ‘HAC’ (Honorable Artillery Company) shoulder titles. 

Pair of Gunner’s sleeve badges. 

Great War period Gunner’s cloth sleeve badge.

Pair of Honorable Artillery Company tunic brass ball buttons. 

Pair of Honorable Artillery Company tunic brass buttons. 

Honorable Artillery Company veteran’s blazer badge, wire embroidered form.

 

 

 

 

The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) was incorporated by royal charter in 1537 by King Henry VII.  The HAC regiment is the second-oldest military corps in the world. The word "artillery" in "Honourable Artillery Company" does not have the current meaning that is generally associated with it, but dates from a time when in the English language that word meant any projectile, including for example arrows shot from a bow. The equivalent form of words in modern English would be either "Honourable Infantry Company" or "Honourable Military Company".

In World War I, the HAC expanded to three infantry battalions and seven artillery In total 1,650 men from the HAC were killed during the war.   A Battery, HAC was posted to Egypt in 1915, served as part of the Western Frontier Force in the Senussi Campaign in 1916 and the the Sinai and Palestine Campaign with the Imperial (later Australian) Mounted Division in 1917 and 1918. Both A and B Batteries were in action at the First and Second Battles of Gaza and entered Jerusalem in December 1917.  In the German counter-attack during the Second Action of Es Salt on 1 May 1918, A Battery was forced to make a rapid withdrawal under heavy fire, which resulted in the loss of all its guns. Both A and B Batteries took part in the Battle of Megiddo in September.

 

Specifically, Gnr/Bmbr Herbert George Loynes’ 1/A Battery, HAC, the 1st Line battery was embodied with the London Mounted Brigade on 4 August 1914 at the outbreak of the First World and concentrated in Berkshire. A decision was made to form a new mounted division from the mounted brigades in and around the Churn area of Berkshire. On 2 September 1914, 2nd Mounted Division, with headquarters at Goring, came into being and London Mounted Brigade was assigned to the new division.  I and II Brigades, RHA (T.F.) were formed for the division and the battery was assigned to II Brigade, RHA at Churn, along with B Battery HAC, and the Berkshire and Nottinghamshire Batteries RHA. In November 1914, the division moved to Norfolk on coastal defense duties. Artillery headquarters was established at Cromer, before joining the divisional headquarters at Hanworth in December, and A Battery, HAC was at Mundesley. 

Overseas service
In March 1915, the 2nd Mounted Division was put on warning for overseas service. In early April, the division starting leaving Avonmouth and the last elements landed at Alexandria before the end of the month. By the middle of May, the horse artillery batteries were near Ismailia on Suez Canal defenses.   
Although, the 2nd Mounted Division was dismounted in August 1915 and served at Gallipoli. The artillery batteries and ammunition columns along with the signal troops, mobile veterinary sections, Mounted Brigade Transport and Supply Columns and two of the Field Ambulances were left behind in Egypt.  The division returned from Gallipoli in December 1915 and was reformed and remounted. 

 

The battery rejoined the division on 13 December, but on 20 December it entrained at Alexandria for the Western Desert, concentrating at Mersa Matruh on 7 January 1916. Thereafter, it served as part of the Western Frontier Force in the Senussi Campaign, and taking part in the Affair at Halazin on 23 January 1916. The battery returned to Alexandria on 6 March and was rearmed with four 18 pounders. Then it returned to the Suez Canal Defenses on 6 April, and joined the Australian 4th Light Horse when it was reformed in February 1917. It remained attached to the 4th ALH Brigade for the rest of the war. 
Imperial Mounted Division

The Imperial Mounted Division was formed in Egypt in January 1917; 4th Light Horse Brigade was one of the four cavalry brigades selected to form the division. A Battery, HAC joined the division on formation and was assigned to XIX Brigade, RHA (T.F0, but the battery actually remained attached to 4th ALH Brigade.
The battery, and its brigade, served with the Imperial Mounted Division in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign as part of the Desert Column.  With the division, it took part in the advance across the Sinai including the First (26 – 27 March 1917) and Second Battles of Gaza (17 – 19 April 1917).

 

HAC Camp outside of Cairo

Australian Mounted Division
In June 1917, the Desert Column was reorganized from two mounted divisions of four brigades each to three mounted divisions of three brigades each (ANZAC, the Imperial Mounted Division renamed, and the new Yeomanry Mounted Division. On 20 June 1917, the Imperial Mounted Division was redesignated the Australian Mounted Division as the majority of its troops were Australian. On 12 August 1917, the Desert Column disappeared and the Desert Mounted Corps  was formed.

The battery served with the Australian Mounted Division throughout the rest of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. As part of the Desert Mounted Corps, the division took part in the Third Battle of Gaza, and in particular the Capture of Beersheba on 31 October, and the Battle of Mughar Ridge on 13 and 14 November, and the defense of Jerusalem against the Turkish counter-attacks from 27 November – 3 December. 
Still part of the Desert Mounted Corps, the division took part in the Second Trans-Jordan Raid from 30 April – 4 May 1918.  XIX Brigade, RHA supported the 4th Light Horse Brigade in the advance on the Jisr ed Damiye-Es Salt track on 30 April. The next day, a strong Turkish force attacked from the direction of Jisr ed Damiye and soon the artillery was in danger. B Battery, HAC was in the rear and managed to get away with all but one of their guns, stuck in a wadi, but the Nottinghamshire RHA and A Battery, HAC were less fortunate. Machine gun fire cut down the horse teams before the guns could be gotten away. This is where Bmbr Loynes was captured.  XIX Brigade lost 9 guns in total, the only guns to be lost in action in the entire campaign.  Its final action was the capture of Damascus on 1 October.  After the Armistice of Mudros, the division was withdrawn to Egypt and started to demobilize. The last of the Australians returned home in April and May 1919. A Battery, HAC were reduced to cadre in Egypt on 25 October 1919.

Gunners of A Battery, the Honorable Artillery Company, attached to the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade, crouch between their 13-pounder quick fire field guns and a cactus hedge near Belah, Palestine, in March 1918.

 

Overview - summary
Es Salt, a village in Palestine 23 km west of Amman, was the scene of heavy fighting between 30 April and 3 May 1918. The fighting occurred as part of the second "raid" mounted east of the Jordan River by General Sir Edmund Allenby's Egyptian Expeditionary Force. The actual raiding troops - the Australian Mounted, ANZAC Mounted, and British 60th Infantry Divisions, and the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade - were commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel and their aim was to secure a launching point for operations against the key railway junction at Deraa. The operation progressed well initially with Es Salt being seized by the evening of 30 April. Increasingly determined Turkish resistance, including counter-attacks that threatened the flanks and rear of the advanced elements of the raiding force, eventually forced a withdrawal back to the Jordan on 3 May 1918. The raid failed in its objectives but did serve a purpose in that it encouraged Turkish commanders to believe Allenby's next major effort would be launched across the Jordan, when in fact it would be launched along the coastal plain.

 

 Map of the Es Salt battlefield

 

Battle on 1 May 1918
After a 75 minutes-long bombardment at 05:30 the infantry launched fresh attacks on the same objectives as the previous day. By 10:00 Chauvel was urging the 60th (London) Division to press its attack with additional forces; infantry from the 20th Indian Brigade was sent forward and the Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment (New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade) were sent to reinforce infantry in the 179th Brigade. These attacks were halted 20 minutes later after gaining ground which would form a favorable base from which to launch further offensives. A company of the 2/18th Battalion London Regiment captured two sangars and a few prisoners on tel Buleibil; this being the only success of the day.

The 60th (London) Division fought hard to capture the position at Shunet Nimrin but without success; every attack ran into heavy enfiladed machine gun fire from positions which were so successfully concealed that they could not be found by the infantry's supporting artillery. The fire from the German and Ottoman machine guns was so effectively directed and concentrated on the edge of scrub, which gave cover for the British infantry approach but did not extend to the foot of the hills, that these machine guns defeated all infantry efforts to cross the open ground. 

The Beni Sakhr had been asked to cut the road through Ain es Sir from Amman, which had been upgraded to allow a smooth flow of troops and supplies. The Beni Sakhr had failed to cut the road and towards evening German and Ottoman reinforcements from Amman which had moved along this road, began to reinforce Shunet Nimrin. Having seen the difficulties suffered by infantry from the 60th (London) Division the Beni Sakhr had already dispersed; playing no part in the fighting.
 
German and Ottoman attack in the Jordan Valley
After the first Transjordan attack on Amman, the Ottoman 4th Army east of the Jordan River had been reinforced by the 3rd Cavalry Division, the Caucasus Cavalry Brigade, a Circassian Cavalry Regiment and the German 146th Regiment which was stationed in the northern Jordan Valley, with the 24th Division also in the area.

Two hours after the 60th (London) Division renewed its attack on Shunet Nimrin, at about 07:30 the northern flank guard provided by the 4th Light Horse Brigade (commanded by Brigadier General William Grant) was suddenly threatened by the Ottoman 24th Infantry Division less the 2nd Regiment and the German 146th Infantry Regiment which had crossed the Jordan River unseen during the night. This strong Ottoman force advanced from the broken ground east of the Jordan, in open order with their right flank directed on the gap between the left of the 4th Light Horse Brigade and Red Hill. They advanced in two waves; the first, estimated by the commander of the 4th Light Horse Brigade at 4,000 Ottoman soldiers and the second, at 1,500 soldiers. These figures have been disputed; "independent Turkish and German accounts" claim 1,750 formed the first wave (the Ottoman 143rd Infantry Regiment, a storm battalion with one German company in reserve or two German companies and a German machine gun company), while the second wave was made up of three or four regiments (two regiments from the Ottoman 3rd Cavalry Division with one or two regiments from the Caucasus Cavalry Brigade).

 

The Ottoman attacking force emerged from cover, from the direction of Jisr ed Damieh and moved quickly against the light horse on 1,000 yards (910 m) wide front. At the same time the Ottoman 3rd Cavalry Division appeared further north and moved into the foothills towards the light horse's right. While the attackers moved over open ground the three batteries of IXX Brigade RHA, Australian Mounted Division opened a rapid and accurate fire on the advancing soldiers. These guns continued firing on the strong attacking force while at the same time being heavily shelled by German, Austrian and Ottoman batteries from the west bank of the Jordan.

The attack proceeded very rapidly; soon enemy forces on the right overlapped the light horse's left in the valley and forces on their left quickly turned the light horse's northern flank in the foothills requiring a hasty withdrawal. The 4th Light Horse Brigade was being attacked from three directions; from the Nahr ez Zerka on the light horse's right and from Jisr ed Damieh in the center. A third group, the 2nd Regiment had crossed the Jordan at the lower bridge at Mafid Jozele north of Red Hill but the Ottoman Seventh Army ordered it back to the Jisr ed Damieh crossing. 

 

The main attack was towards that part of the line held by the 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments which was forced back until they were facing due west, with their backs to the tangled maze of, for cavalry and guns, impassable rocky hills. The 4th Light Horse Regiment supported by ‘A’ Battery HAC on the right or northern flank, had held their position until the attackers closed to within 200 yards (180 m) when they began their slow withdrawal into the hills. The Nottinghamshire Battery RHA was positioned near the center of the brigade but each time an attack broke and melted away before the light horse fire from rifles and the guns, the German and Ottoman dead lay a little closer to the guns of these two batteries. Each time a short retirement was made, the heavy pressure of the attackers pushed the guns further into the hills and each time there were fewer men and horses to move the guns. They were forced into a position from which there was no escape fighting till all their ammunition was exhausted and the German and Ottoman attackers were within 200–300 yards (180–270 m) on three sides. Then the teams of horses were killed by machine gun fire and the nine 13–pounder guns were abandoned while the remaining men and horses scrambled up the hills to the east and succeeded in reaching the Wadi el Retem just to the north of the Umm esh Shert track. While the dismounted light horse could retire east into the hills if necessary, the three batteries of artillery now had no apparent way out to the east or south. The 4th Light Horse Brigade's guns had been pushed back into gullies, from where they had to move almost due west before they could turn south down the valley; "B" Battery on the left or southern side managed to get away with the loss of one gun. However, "A" Battery HAC and the Nottinghamshire Battery, RHA could not be moved as their teams of horses had been shot. After firing these guns to the last moment, they were abandoned. The gunners removed the breech-blocks and sights and did as much damage as was possible in a few minutes while the brigade withdrew slowly firing as it went, up the slopes of the range to a position to which the horses had already been taken. It may have been possible to concentrate on the hills above the guns and keep the attackers away from the guns for some hours but it could have cost the whole brigade. Meanwhile the 11th Light Horse Regiment on the left of the line, managed to withdraw down the valley with "B" Battery, two light horse regiments were forced eastward deep into the foothills to make a difficult withdrawal through rocky gullies and over craggy spurs.

 

Loynes and other POWs were held at  Afion KaraHissar, which appears to be an anglicized version of the Turkish town where they were held captive. 
 

From early 1915, Afion was used as a prison camp, both officers and men being kept in houses, rather than in a proper camp with barbed wire around it. The first prisoners there were Russians, mainly officers from merchant ships seized in Turkish harbors at the very beginning of the war. They were joined in early 1915 by officers and men from the French navy, survivors of the submarine Saphir.

 

From late April onwards, there was a small but steady flow of sailors and soldiers captured during the Gallipoli Campaign. These included the crews of the British submarines E-15 and E-7, the Australian sub AE2, the French subs Mariotte and Turquoise and officers and men From the British, French New Zealand and Australian armies. Later, there were some prisoner captured at Kut in Iraq sent to the camp and other officers captured in Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

 

From about mid 1916 onwards, the town was mainly used as a camp for officers, most of the other ranks being transferred to the south to work on the construction of the railway in the Toros Mountains, though some worked in Istanbul, Sivas, Ankara, Nusaybin, and other locations. However, some remained to act as batmen, or officers servants. Some of these men were considered too weak, due to wounds or illness, to work on the railway or elsewhere.

 

Some of the guards at the camp were from the Turkish navy, including some officers from the Mesudiye, sunk in December 1914 near Canakkale. Other guards were reservists, men considered too old to serve at the front.

 

Treatment of prisoners at Afion varied. It has to be said that one camp commander, in the latter part of the war, was hated by the prisoners as he physically and sexually abused men, and was known to arrange to have their Red Cross parcels stolen, selling the contents in shops in the town. At the insistence of the British, this officer was court marshaled after the war by the Ottoman government, but unfortunately later released due to geopolitical concerns. 

 

Below: Afion Karahissir

 

Edited June 3, 2022 by azyeoman
additional information

[azyeoman]

QSA (6) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901 (3007. Pte: G. Scott. 9/Lcrs.), (unofficial rivets and suspension re-affixed)

 

George Scott was born at Brampton, Cumberland in 1871 and was a farmer upon joining the 9th Lancers at Manchester on 24 June 1890. He had already served a while in South Africa, before returning to serve there during the Boer War from 2 December 1899-26 March 1901.  He was discharged in July 1902.

 

He was captured on 22 October 1900 near Phillipolis probably by the Commando commanded by the infamous Gideon J Scheepers who besieged Phillipolis from the 18-24 October 1900.  He was released on 24/10/1900 when a relief column of 800-100 men entered the town and released the prisoners. (see link below)

 

https://www.karoobattlefields.com/philippolis

 

At the outbreak WWI, he joined the 4th Battalion, Border Regiment on 27 October 1914 and served at home with No. 349 Company, Royal Defence Corps.  He was discharged on 17 February 1919.  Later, Scott became a pensioner at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

[Millsbomb]

On 22/12/2012 at 04:53, azyeoman said:

PoW groups are interesting and there is an enormous amount of information and photographs online. Not only did the PoWs see combat, but were also held captive and so had a entirely different story than the bulk of the troops. I thought it would be interesting to get a group for each of the large British surrenders.

 

The first here is for Hong Kong on Christmas Day 1941, which consists of a group of 5: 1939-1945 Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; Regular Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, GVI 2nd type; (4685565 SJT. A. COOKE. M.P.S.C.), mounted loose style as worn.

 

A fine and interesting Second World War Fall of Hong Kong 25 December 1941 Prisoner of War of the Japanese long service group awarded to Sergeant A. Cook, Military Provost Staff Corps, late Military Foot Police, Coldstream Guards, and one time 5th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Territorial Army, who having been taken prisoner of war, was incarcerated at Omine in Japan and worked forced labour as a miner.

 

Together with the following quantity of original documentation: Soldier's Service Record and Pay Book, dated 1952; Regular Army Certificate of Service, dated 12 March 1952; Discharge Certificate after his first period of engagement, dated 4 May 1931; Certificate of Proficiency from the School of Instruction Corps of Military Police - as awarded for his attendance on a course from 16 October 1933 to 7 January 1934 - he came 14th on a list of 16; War Office Letter of Appreciation on his retirement from the British Army after 21 years service, dated 1 May 1952; 4 x News of the World photographs of a group of men; Cooke is one of them; another of a group of soldiers drinking beer, taken circa 1920's to 1930's; and individual portrait photograph of recipient; another of soldiers relaxing; and an older photograph, also of a group of soldier's, this annotated but not clearly readable, possibly 1920's; a booklet titled 'Chelsea Pensioners Today; and an exceptionally rare - small print run book - titled The Last Phase at Omine, which is an official late 1940's large format printed booklet printed by The Examiner Press for the Omine Prisoner of War Camp in Japan where Cooke was incarcerated. It contains many printed sketches of the PoW camp during the war. Cooke is listed on page 2 of the British PoW list for Omine and was recorded as being in camp 26 169 and L. Cpl Alfred A. Cooke, 4685565 H. 23.1.18.

 

Alfred Cooke was born in 1907, and originally enlisted as a Private (No.4685565) into the 5th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Territorial Army, at Denaby, Yorkshire, on 11th June 1925, but was then discharged at York on 4th May 1931 'in consequence of having joined the Regular Army', as he had joined the Coldstream Guards as a Guardsman. Cooke then saw home service, but pursued a career with the Military Foot Police and attend the School of Instruction for the Corps of Military Foot Police. While attached to this unit, he attended a course from 16 October 1933 to 7 January 1934. It is noted that he represented the Depot Corps of Military Police at Football. Later, he officially transferred into the Corps of Military Foot Police from 4 June 1934, he was then posted overseas to Shanghai and Hong Kong from 14 December 1938, and was still out in the Far East at the outbreak of the Second World War, and on the Japanese declaration of war. He was taken prisoner at the fall of Hong Kong on 25th December 1941, and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war of the Japanese, being incarcerated at Omine Prisoner Camp, and employed on forced labour as a miner, before being liberated on 17 November 1945 after the Japanese surrender, and then posted home from 18 November 1945. Opting to continue in the service, he transferred as a Sergeant to the Military Provost Staff Corps, being awarded the Regular Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and then being discharged after 21 years service on 16 April 1952.

 

For more information on the mine look at: http://www.us-japandialogueonpows.org/Ominememorial.htm

 

and more with Cooke listed under the British PoWs in http://www.mansell.com/pow_resources/camplists/fukuoka/fuku_5_omine/fuku_5_omine.html

My primary school headmaster here in New Zealand was a POW of the Japanese. Knowing what I know now, I could look into his service history. A very nice man, Felix CRANDLE if I recall.

2 minutes ago, Millsbomb said:

My primary school headmaster here in New Zealand was a POW of the Japanese. Knowing what I know now, I could look into his service history. A very nice man, Felix CRANDLE if I recall.

Just done a quick search! Never believe what you are told third hand. He was in Stalag 8A, Gorlitz... Probably captured in Greece or Crete like many NZers.

[azyeoman]

Although not a medal group, this pair of letters written by a PoW from Campo P.G. 49 and an escapee from Campo P.G. 78 in Sulmona is most interesting.  Acquiring the letters opened up a lot of questions about Lt. and Later Capt. Eric Sydney James Gazeley.  The internet was a great way to find out more about him personally and professionally.

Reading the letters, you can feel the frustration that Gazeley must have had regarding his "affair", Madeleine's fidelity, family and financial issues; all of which he must have felt helpless to do much about due to his capture and incarceration.  The numbering of the letters and the missing and late letters are consistent with all other accounts by PoWs.  How frustrating it must have been to wait for letters and parcels from home.  The uncomfortableness of the heat and mosquitoes in Italy are also brought out in one of the letters.  All in all, a poignant and emotive view of PoW life via the microscopic perspectives of two love letters.

 

First the letters and then the biographical information.

Two PoW Letters from Lt. Eric Sydney James Gazeley

 

Postmarked 17 Sept. 1943 Mullion, Helston, Cornwall
Obverse Per Aerea – Roma – Lisbona – Londra   Posta di prigioniero di guerra
Passed P.W. 3765 Censor
Addressed to Mrs Madeleine Downes , 22 Harman Drive, Cricklewood, London NW2 Inghilterra
Penciled in Poste Restoante C/O Mullion GPO, South Cornwall
Return Address Gazeley No. 76 Eric Leiutenant PG 49 PM 3200 Italia

Date in different ink and with French handwriting/numerals 27/4/43

24/7/43 No. 53. Dearest Heart. I was delighted to get your 3 letters Nos 84.85 & 86. & so pleased to hear that you had seen Harding & heard from Eynon (sic).  I wish I could get news of Pat Stanley.  Have you heard from them recently?  Now darling, I notice K.B. Baker & Baker are now acting for you on my behalf. I am rather sorry this has been necessary for I gather Pop has had a lot of worry too, quite recently with Ethel & I believe that is why he proposes burying himself in the country.  What of course, he has done about the 2 factories I can’t imagine. Apart from this, solicitors here inform me, that they are most expensive, that K.Po never sent out a bill under L50, so keep an eye on them..  Now my sweet, you seem very worried lest I pay you a surprise visit; such as H did his wife.  And who are you afraid I should distrust or isn’t that a fair question.  However, I will make no promises altho’ it will receive my consideration.  Who knows but I may be in a kind & generous mood.  So, sweetheart, a house in Kinightsbridge is still on your mind, & I can see your point of view about the boom & the necessity of having business premises in the WE, but I also see the enormous overhead expenses.  However, you know the resail (sic) & its difficulties, whereas I tend to look at things from a linde (sic) point of view, so I won’t try to advise you.  Your letter 84 was post marked 25.5.43 & No. 85 & 86 on June 1st.  There are of course, still an awful lot of missing ones praying that your 1st clothing parcel, Too, the 2nd will turn up in due course. I have never heard what arrangements you made with D Harris over cigarettes etc.  You were quite right dearest, the L5 was for your birthday.  Hope you didn’t take a boyfriend out to dinner on it.  By the way, did you ever hear from Madeline Jremoure? (sic) No news from Vern for some times.  Wrote Marjorie etc. a few days ago.  All my fondest love, thoughts and kisses and Ling (sic) maybe soon be together again, Eric

 

Letter from Lt. Eric Gazeley
Obverse Per Aerea – Roma – Lisbona – Londra   Posta di prigioniero de Guerra
Passed P.W. 4604 Censor
Addressed to: Mrs Madeleine Downes, 22 Harman Drive, Cricklewood, London NW2
Return Address Gazeley No. 76 Eric Lieut. PG 49 PM 3200 Italia

Date in different ink with French handwriting/numerals 7/8/43

51 7.8.43 Darling, No more news. Still no parcel.  Your last letters were 88 & 92. This is No. 52.  Today received a letter of June 20th from Pop and notwithstanding my appeals that he should see you to discuss things in a same manner he maintains that grossly insulting letters from you make it impossible. Can this be true?  I hope it is an exaggeration.  But again, no money is mentioned, so I know nothing more, than of the L112.  It seems that he has had a lot of trouble with E.  They were breaking up the partnership in every way after 18 years.  What happens to the factory he doesn’t say.  But dearest, you will realize that I worry, lest in any way, our own affair may cause him a serious breakdown in health.  Perhaps you will say I am being too sentimental, but I think it is rather natural.  Now, how are you sweetheart?  Business I hope is since good.  Erica behaving well.  Was Dorothy Barnes able to help you over her food, for I presume you have seen her, if you were able to enclose in your parcel a pull-over from her.  Recently everybody has found less urge to work the result that no French class exists now.  However, I still continue tho’ and spot of reading with advance at Hugo’s Idioms once in a while, which Ian Craig has loaned me.  IT is now very hot at night & a sheet across the middle is all I can beat.  The other night too, the mosquitoes made a good meal of my left eyelid, but fortunately they are not malarial.  But getting to sleep always presents a problem – I must be too lonely!  Why blame the heat, for all that am very git; - just waiting for the moment when I see you again.  Regards to everybody.  All my love Kisses thoughts, darling Eric
Below in a different ink and handwriting is written “replied for hurlens (sic) 8.9.43” 

 

Eric Sydney James Gazeley was born on 5 May 1910.  He was the son of Sidney C. Gazeley (26) and Charlotte Gazeley (26).  His father was a fur buyer and worker in a drapery store. He had one sister Marion Eileen was three years older according to the 1911 census, and his 22-year-old sister-in-law Sarah Ann Jones who also was a worker in the drapery store lived with them in Fulham, London.  Their address was 12 Melville Rd. Barnes, SW.  He married Gladys C Brown in Pancras when he was 19 years old in 1929.

 

     Gazeley joined the Royal Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant on 22 October 1939.  He was captured on 6 June 1942, most likely during the Battle of Gazala where Rommel defeated the British 8th Army and ultimately took Tobruk.

He was missing and believed to be a PoW on 6 June 1942 in N. Africa and later officially classified a PoW on 13 August 1942.   He was in Campo P.G. 49 from where the two letters were sent.  Official British records show that he was also in Campo P.G. 78 in Sulmona, and escaped on 9 December 1943.
On 10 September 1943, the Italian guards at Campo PG 78 simply left and over 1,000 PoWs escaped into the mountains.  Many were captured, but others held on, joined partisan groups, were helped by Italian farmers to escape.  Some went towards Switzerland while others went south towards the allied lines.  Gazeley made the “Home Run”.  It would seem that his escape official escape date is that of the day he made it to Allied lines rather than the actually date he ran from Campo PG 78.  After his escape, Gazeley served in the 4th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery again and was temporarily promoted to Captain on 20 October 1944.

 

For more information on Campo P.G. 78 please click on links below and in particular the Youtube post on the PoW Escape from Campo 78, Sulmona.

https://www.anzacpow.com/part_1__missing_in_action,_believed_pow/chapter_5__italian_prison_camps/a._pg78__salmona

 

https://wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/pow/powcamp.php?pid=3502

 

http://gcjonline.co.uk/Campo 78.htm

 

 

 

     Post war, Gazeley demobed and by 23 March 1946 was 35 years old and living at 3 Kenilworth Court, Twickenham, Middlesex.  He was Assistant for J H & Company traveling first class on the SS Jonathan Holt, a 2,166-ton passenger liner built in 1943 by Cammel Laird & Co. in Birkenhead. traveling from Liverpool to Port Harcourt, Lagos in Nigeria, West Africa.  Two years later, he was an agent for the J H & Co traveling back to Lagos, again on the SS Jonathan Holt.  The last reference regarding Eric Sidney James Gazeley is that he retired as a Shipping Agent who lived at 5 Pixham Firs, Pixham Lane, Dorking, Surrey and died on 7 January 1986.  He was survived by his widow, Nora Mary Gazeley who was born in 1908, also lived in Dorking and died on 28 August 2001.  Gazeley obviously went on from Madeleine as well as his captivity to live a long and hopefully happy life.
 

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 2022 by azyeoman

[azyeoman]

In 45 years of collecting, I've only seen one of these.  It is obviously a YMSA PoW badge and a very rare at that, but it raises a lot of questions. Who wore it?  Which war was it worn in?  Was it worn by YMCA staff or volunteers or by PoWs themselves?

 

The dealer description was:

"VINTAGE WWII BRITISH POW PRISONER OF WAR YMCA SPORTS AWARD BADGE. A VERY RARE ORIGINAL WW2 PRISONER OF WAR YMCA SPORTS AWARD BADGE BY SPORRONG & CO, STOKHOLM. THE BADGE IS MADE OF GILT METAL WITH A RED & WHITE PAINTED FINISH ,THE FRONT HAS "YMCA SPORTS" WHICH IS BETWEEN TWO STRANDS OF BARBED WIRE , THE REAR HAS A GOOD WORKING PIN FITMENT WITH THE MAKERS NAME ON THE DISC HOLDING THE PIN , OTHER THAN SOME LIGHT WEAR TO THE RED PAINTED FINISH ITS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO DAMAGE 1& 1.2 INCHES TALL THIS IS A VERY VERY HARD BADGE TO FIND."

 

It is indeed a very rare badge, but research indicates nothing to verify the description and there is absolutely no proof that it was an "award badge".  Why would the Germans allow badges to be awarded for sports events, and particularly when it is a pinback badge, and it's possible the pin could be used for other reasons than just attaching the badge to the clothes of the PoW.  If it is British, which it very well might be, then why was it made by an exceptionally well-known Swedish company, Sporrong & Co. in Stockholm?  If it is an American or Canadian badge, then again why was it made in Stockholm? 

 

The YMCA has a very long and exceptional history of working to support soldiers and PoWs during both world wars and in their respective postwar eras too. Much information can be found online, but I've yet to come across any references to this badge to verify what's in the description.
 

[azyeoman]

A most interesting acquisition.  A WWI Victory Medal officially named to Capt. F. W. Fawssett. 

 

If you know of the location of Capt. Fawssett's 1915 Star & BWM, please contact me as I'd like to reunite them.

 

With MIC and  PoW repatriation interview report TNA WO161/97/44 taken at Millbank 26th February 1918.

 

Francis William Fawssett was born in Hoton, Leicestershire on 14th October 1878 the third son of Reverend John Barrett Fawssett and his wife Emily. Franis graduated MRCS (England), LRCP (London) and MB (University of London) in 1903. He married Mildred Evelyne Williams fourth daughter of Rev E P Williams of 24 Pilbeach Gardens, London SW at St Cuthbert’s Church, Kensington 21st April 1904. The 1911 census records he is a 32-year-old Medical Practitioner residing with his wife, daughter and two servants at 260 Fore Street, Edmonton, Middlesex. Francis was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Temporary Lt. on 15 May 1915 (LG 15 June 1915), and served in France from 1st June 1915. In 1917 he was a Medical Officer attached to the 1/5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was taken prisoner of war at Villers Ghislain near Cambrai on 30th November 1917; "captured during the German rush at 0830."  Dr Fawssett was held at Serrain 30th November to 1st December, Le Cateau 1st to 3rd December, Karlsruhe 5th to 12th December, Heidelberg 12th December 1917 to 11th February 1918. He left Heidelberg on 11th February for Aachen, where he spent four days, before going to Rotterdam and then home.  Dr Fawssett described his life in the POW camps, "... on the whole treatment was fair, discipline good, and no ill treatment seen or heard of by the guards, parties of 40 were allowed into the town under guard after signing a paper to say we would not escape..."  (See the transcripts in the attached photographs)

 

 

During WWII, Fawssett became a Major and later an Acting Lt. Colonel in the Home Guard.  His service date was 1 May 1941, and his duty location was with the Lincolnshire TA & AF Association at The Old Barracks, Burton Rd., Lincoln as he was in the Lincolnshire Divison (Lindsey Zone) Grimsby Group, 5th Lindsey (Grimsby Town) Battalion.  The battalion was affiliated with the Lincolnshire Regiment and wore its cap badge.  It was made up of platoons of men who were either too young or too old to serve.  They word khaki uniforms and had a few rifles.

 

Post war Dr Fawssett lived and practiced in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, The Grimsby Daily Telegraph 5th October 1950 page 5 records printed his obituary: DR F W Fawssett
The funeral took place yesterday of Dr Francis William Fawssett (71) of 31 Chantry Lane, Grimsby. Dr Fawssett died in a London taxi on Friday while on the way to King’s Cross station after a holiday in Eastbourne. The service at All Saints Church, Grimsby was conducted by the Rev J Ashton followed by an internment at Scarthoe Road Cemetery.
 

Edited July 21, 2022 by azyeoman

[azyeoman]

Here's an interesting awarded to an Able Seaman who served with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve RNVR and who was taken prisoner of war on the first day of the German Spring Offensive in 1918.

 

Both medals are officially are named to:  T. Z. 7643 F.  BRAY.  A. B.  R.N.V.R.

 

Frank Bray was born on 24th May 1896 and he came from Hebburn New Town, County Durham.

He enrolled into the Tyneside Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 4 October 1915, and was promoted to Able Seaman on 30 June 1917 and then to Acting Leading Seaman on 27 September 1917.

 

He was drafted into the Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division for service with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in February 1916. He landed at Mudros on 28 February 1916.

 

In June 1916 he was posted to the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front, rejoining the Nelson Battalion on 16th June 1916. In early 1917 he suffered from severe trench feet and was evacuated to hospital at Etaples.  After recovering, he was assigned to the 7th Entrenching Battalion in February 1918 and was then posted to the Hawke Battalion in March 1918. He was captured and taken prisoner of war on 21 March 1918, the first day of the German Spring Offensive.  He was held at Limburg Camp and was repatriated in January 1919.

 

 

 

[POWCollector]

Very interesting new acquisitions John! It is indeed rare to find a WW1 POW debrief form!
 

I’ve only seen a handful in my time, one being associated to the 1914-15 star in my collection awarded to a Canadian escaper to Holland. I found out yesterday that only 100 Canadians made successful home runs in the First World War so I’m pretty chuffed to look after 1% of them!

Looking forward to the next posts! 

Edited July 27, 2022 by POWCollector

[azyeoman]

5 hours ago, POWCollector said:

Very interesting new acquisitions John! It is indeed rare to find a WW1 POW debrief form!
 

I’ve only seen a handful in my time, one being associated to the 1914-15 star in my collection awarded to a Canadian escaper to Holland. I found out yesterday that only 100 Canadians made successful home runs in the First World War so I’m pretty chuffed to look after 1% of them!

Looking forward to the next posts! 

Hi Rob,

That’s been my experience too and as you can see from this collection, this is the first one I’ve come across; this, my interest in adding it. Above in the thread, there is one Canadian who was tortured by the Germans in WWI. WWI c Canadian PoW medals are groups are rare like WWI New Zealand PoW medals. Thanks my friend. 

[azyeoman]

An exceptionally interesting WII Merchant Navy '1945 Gothenburg Convoy' Immediate O.B.E Medal Group awarded to Chief Engineer Charles Dobson, Merchant Navy, who was twice a PoW; interned during the fall of Norway and again after the failure of the second Gothenburg Convoy having volunteered to serve with it despite being in his sixties.

 

Chief Engineer Charles Dobson O.B.E. was born on 16 March 1883 in Hartlepool, County Durham. He served in the Mercantile Marine as a Chief Engineer during WW1, aboard S.S. War Jackdaw in July 1918. He remained in the Merchant Navy into the Second World War aboard the S.S. Romanby, when on the 9th April 1940, as it was loading iron ore in Narvik, Norway, an incident occurred which would change the course of his life. His diary is quoted in the "Liverpool Echo", 1 May1940, and states

 

"April 9. ‘Just going to load at 5 a.m. German destroyers entered harbour. Three additional German destroyers landed troops. Took charge of harbour. Came swarming aboard our five ships. We were all lined up on deck, arrested and taken ashore about five o'clock that afternoon to a school. Slept on floor without blankets.

 

April 10. ‘About 5 p.m. five British destroyers entered the port, and a great naval battle took place, Several Merchant ships which the Germans had anchored in front of their destroyers as protection were blown out of the water by the British destroyers. Two German Destroyers were sunk. Our ship was sent to the bottom as well as the other four merchant ships. That day we were moved from the school to Iris Cafe, right on the waterfront. German marines were put in charge of us.'

 

His account continues noting air raids on 12/13 April resulting in three German destroyers sunk as well as a bombardment of the shore by British ships. It was decided to intern the British crews in Sweden and on 23 April, Dobson was one of those who endured a 36-mile march through a blizzard to their place of confinement. Despite being in his sixties at the time, Dobson survived. although he suffered from frostbite on both hands and feet.

 

He continued to operate in the Baltic despite this experience and was one of the crewmen at Gothenburg in March 1942 who volunteered to bring a convoy of ten merchant vessels to Britain. The odds were slim and the convoy was intercepted by German warships, six ships scuttled themselves, two got through and two returned to port. The official report states: 'The Gudvang made a very spirited attempt to break out from the Skagerrak and was sailing for 22 hours before she was overhauled and forced to blow herself up'

 

Dobson had volunteered to serve as Chief Engineer aboard the S.S. Gudvang and was again interned. The official report does credit to his bravery, stating: 'Mr. Dobson gave particularly helpful and exemplary service. In spite of being an elderly man he gladly assumed responsibility in this hazardous operation, the risks of which he fully appreciated. All these Officers volunteered to run the enemy blockade knowing that the enemy were fully aware of the proposed operation and had, in view of the success of a previous similar operation, taken exceptional counter measures. Although the ships were unsuccessful in running the blockade, it was due to the determination and co-operation of these Officers that the ships were prevented from falling into the hands of the enemy.'

 

Dobson and other merchant seaman were taken to Camp Milag, Bremen where Captain Nicholson and others died of disease under the harsh conditions. They were liberated in April 1945 by elements of the Welsh and Scots Guards Armoured Division. Dobson returned to live in Hartlepool but died from a massive heart attack while visiting his son (who had served on the Jarvis Bay during the war) on the 27th February 1948.

He was awarded an OBE and it was printed in the  London Gazette on 16th October 1945, which stated 'For gallantry and initiative in hazardous circumstances'.  His OBE was one of six immediate O.B.E. awards for the convoy.
 

[azyeoman]

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Kimberley (397 Pte. W. J. Spence. Kimberley Vol: Regt.); Mayor of Kimberley’s Star 1899-1900, reverse hallmark with date letter ‘a’, unnamed as issued.

W. J. Spence attested for the Kimberley Volunteer Regiment and served with them during the Boer War at the Defence of Kimberley. He was discharged on 4 July 1901, he subsequently joined and served as a sergeant in the Cape Police Special Contingent.  He was taken Prisoner of War at Zoutlief on 16 September 1901.

 

The Police, including 'Special Police', numbered 233 under Major Berrange, and were part of the force starting from Vryburg under Major Paris on 2 March 1901. Lord Methuen in his report said on 6 March wrote "there had been some sniping at the rear-guard by about 100 of Van Zyl's commando, and seeing some confusion I went back myself, sending at same time for the section of the 38th Battery. I found the men forming the rear screen, which consisted of the 86th Company IY, very much out of hand, and lacking both fire-discipline and knowledge how to act. There seemed to be a want of instructed officers and non-commissioned officers". The enemy being accurately shelled, retired and took up a position at Tweebosch in the bed of the Klein Harts River. "Major Berrange" with the Police, the section 4th Battery and the pom-pom, were ordered to move straight on Tweebosch, while Dennison's Scouts, supported by Cullinan's Horse, were to move round the enemy's left flank. The commando retired rapidly, the Police under Major Berrange working with the greatest quickness. Much praise is due to Major Berrange for the way in which he handled his men". Shortly after moving off on the morning of the 7th, the rear-guard, consisting of Diamond Fields Horse and Dennison's Scouts, was most fiercely attacked. They were reinforced by other troops, but eventually the screen was broken, and after several hours' hard fighting the enemy captured the infantry and guns. Most of the mounted men took the Boer method of seeking safety in flight and reached the railway. During the fight, and after the screen was broken, Major Paris and Major Berrange were ordered to occupy a kraal. This they did with some 40 men, and they held out under heavy shell fire and "against repeated attacks" till the main body surrendered. In his telegram of 16th March Lord Kitchener said that in addition to the party of Cape Police in the kraal, "other small parties of Police continued to resist after the panic which had swept the bulk of mounted troops off the ground".

 

 

The Lancashire Evening Post of 2 October 1901, article “Yeomanry Gallantry Run the Gauntlet”

 

‘A Press Association telegram from Cape Town Tuesday says: - The following further details have been received regarding the fight at Zoutlief, to the north of Vryburg on the 16th ult:  On the evening of the 15th a column numbering 250 consisting of Cape Police, the Mounted Town Guard and two guns of the Royal Field Artillery, left Vryburg and reached Zoutlief in a storm of wind and rain. The next morning the column encountered a party of the enemy, of whom two were captured and two wounded. The mounted men proceeded to Thanet and found the Boers in strength. A hot engagement then ensued.  The Boer’s who comprised Van Zyl’s and Van der Merwe’s commandos, and who were 400 strong, took up a position covering a house which appeared to be the enemy’s headquarters. The enemy were shelled vigorously but a number of shells failed to explode in consequence of the heavy rain of the previous night.  Soon afterwards Keeley’s Scouts from Maribogo, reinforced the British left flank, and endeavored to cut off the enemy’s retreat, a company of the 5th Imperial Yeomanry from Devondale ran the gauntlet of the enemy’s fire in grand style in gallop to reach a kopje which it was necessary to hold. The men raced by ones and twos across the ground under the enemy’s fire, and gained their object with the loss of one killed and ten wounded. A body of the enemy who had been fighting in trenches near the farmhouse surrendered on condition of their lives being spared. They proved to be 14 well-known and dangerous rebels from the Vryburg district.”
 

Edited August 9, 2022 by azyeoman

[azyeoman]

Royal Navy groups are not common and this is a most interesting one to JX141865 AB H.W. Deer, RN

NGS with Palestine 1936-39 Palestine Clasp

1939 Star

Atlantic Star

War Medal

 

Deer was serving on board HMS Voltaire, which was sunk by the Kriegsmarine auxiliary cruiser Thor on 4 April 1941.

The Action of 4 April 1941 was a naval battle fought during the Atlantic Campaign of the Second World War. A German commerce raider encountered a British auxiliary cruiser and sank her with heavy losses after an hour of fighting. Background The Kriegsmarine auxiliary cruiser Thor was raiding in the mid Atlantic in early 1941. On that cruise, the Germans engaged two other British merchant ships in surface battles but they ended indecisively. So when Thor encountered HMS Voltaire, her crew were already battle tested and anxious to sink an enemy combatant. Thor was 122 m (400 ft 3 in) long and weighed 9,200 long tons (9,300 t), she was armed with six 150 mm (5.9 in), two 37 mm (1.46 in) and four 20 mm (0.79 in) naval guns along with four 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes. The raider also carried an Arado Ar 196A-1 floatplane for reconnaissance and had a complement of 349 officers and crewmen. HMS Voltaire was larger than the raider—displacing 13,245 long tons (13,458 t)—but with a smaller crew of 269 men and officers. She had eight 152 mm (6.0 in) and two 76 mm (2.99 in) naval guns, including at least one anti-aircraft mount. Thor was returning to Germany when she found Voltaire heading to Freetown about 900 mi (780 nmi; 1,400 km) southwest of the Cape Verde Islands Action It was about 06:15 on 4 April when crewmen of Thor spotted smoke on the horizon. Captain Otto Kaehler assumed the vessel to be a coal burning ship so he altered course into the direction of the smoke. When the Germans were able to make visual contact with HMS Voltaire, they suspected she was a neutral ocean liner as she did not attempt to escape. The British—under Captain J.A. Blackburn—sighted the approaching Germans coming head on, so they fired a burst of anti-aircraft fire as signal for identification. A signal from Thor was not returned, but the British soon discovered the identity of the approaching ship at about 06:45, when it replaced the flag of Greece with a German naval ensign and fired a shot across Voltaire's bow. The British responded by manning their guns and firing a broadside with their mixed armament, but to no avail; they were outgunned and outranged. After only four minutes of dueling at around 9,000 m (9,800 yd) away, the Germans began striking Voltaire with their 150 mm (5.9 in) guns. The first shots entered the radio room and the generator room of Voltaire, heavily damaging the vessel, knocking out communications and steering gear and putting her into a list. Heavy fires also broke out and nearly covered the entire deck of the British ship. Despite the fire the Royal Navy gunners continued fighting for nearly an hour. For the next several minutes, the two sides fired; only one British shot managed to hit Thor, and it caused no casualties, the shot tearing off some radio equipment attached to the main mast. By 07:15, only two of the British 152 mm (6.0 in) guns were in action, while Thor circled around Voltaire, firing rapidly. At 08:00, the German's 150 mm (5.9 in) guns overheated so Captain Kaehler decided on a torpedo attack to end the engagement. But just as Thor was lining up to fire a spread, a white flag was observed aboard Voltaire and so the firing ceased. Captain Blackburn—having lost 72 men killed in action—gave the order to abandon ship and for the next five hours the Germans rescued 197 survivors, two of whom died later on and the rest became prisoners of war. Koehler also recorded that half of the rescued sailors were wounded. After the battle, Thor continued on to Germany to refit for a second raiding voyage. She had fired 724 rounds in a 55 minute battle, more than 50 percent of her ammunition

 

Most of the PoWs were sent to Marlag und Milag Nord, but some such as AB Deer ended up in Stalag VIII-B (Lamsdorf), later numbered Stalag 344.  The hospital facilities at Stalag VIII-B were among the best in all Stalags. The so-called Lazarett was set up on a separate site with eleven concrete buildings. Six of them were self-contained wards, each with space for about 100 patients. The others served as treatment blocks with operating theaters, X-ray and laboratory facilities, as well as kitchens, a morgue, and accommodations for the medical staff.

The lazarett was headed by a German officer with the title Oberst Arzt ("Colonel Doctor"), but the staff was made up entirely of prisoners. They included general physicians and surgeons, even a neurosurgeon, psychiatrist, anesthesiologist and radiologist.

 

In January 1945, as the Soviet armies resumed their offensive and advanced into Germany, many of the prisoners were marched westward in groups of 200 to 300 on Death Marches. Some died from the bitter cold and exhaustion. The lucky ones got far enough to the west to be liberated by the American army. The unlucky ones got liberated by the Soviets, who instead of turning them over quickly to the western allies, held them as virtual hostages for several more months. Many of them were finally repatriated towards the end of 1945 through the port of Odessa on the Black Sea.

[azyeoman]

Here’s a rare badge for the collection; the Royal Air Force Birmingham RAF PoW 'K' Club badge

A rare original post Second World War period small gilt brass blue enamel example, inscribed to the surround 'Birmingham R.A.F. P.O.W. Club' with large 'K' to domed centre. It’s in very good condition, and complete with its original lapel fitting.  There are no stress marks or damage to the enamel, and the gilt finish remains bright.  The Diameter is 22mm.

The Germans could not crush the Birmingham spirit, even when held as Prisoners of War. A group of RAF captives in the Stalag Luft 5 all proud Brummies in 1943/44 formed the “K” Club the aim to bring together a group with a common background to give each other mutual help and support during the difficult dark days of captivity. Their activities were printed in the Birmingham newspapers and the K club idea was taken up in other POW Camps. In the post war years the bond and fellowship of the POW in Birmingham continued and members proudly wore this badge. 

[azyeoman]

1914/15 Star (92 Pte A.J. Palmer, 8/Can Inf.; British War and Victory medal (92 Pte A.J. Palmer, 8-Can Inf). Arthur James Palmer was born in Somerset England 2nd December, 1890. He was living at Norwood, Manitoba at the time of enlistment 23 Sept, 1914. On April 24, 1915 he was taken prisoner of war at St. Julian, Ypres and sent to Germany. Palmer was repatriated by 30/12/1918.  He was one of about 1,400 Canadian PoWs captured on 24/25 April 1915 during the battle of Ypres. (See the above pair to Pte. J. Crawford, 7th Can. Inf. who was captured on the 24th of April.)  Arthur James Palmer died on 17/07/1945. There were a total of 3,853 Canadians captured in WWI according to Wigney in Guests of the Kaiser.   For more information visit:
https://cdnhistorybits.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/canadian-pows-ww1/. 

 

 

Edited October 6, 2022 by azyeoman