POWs

karenc · Post by **karenc** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:29 pm

Hi everyone

does anyone know how i could find out info about a relative of mine who was a POW.

I know he was a POW in 1943 and that he was in the marines. He was a POW in italy and was then moved to Germany at some point. I got this from an article from a local newspaper but it doesnt have much more info than that.

Would there be any records i could get regarding him?

By the way his name was Andrew Bell

Thanks

Karen

Post by **paddyscar** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:01 am

Karen:

You might find a source at:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/sear ... earch.aspx

Frances

karenc · Post by **karenc** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:05 pm

Thanks Frances,

I will have a look at that later on tonight.

Karen

Maisie · Post by **Maisie** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:06 pm

Returning POWs completed a "General Questionnaire for British/American Ex-Prisoners of War" Form MIS-X. My brother got hold of a copy of our father's from the NAS, but he had to go in person to look for it.

It includes date and place of capture and a list of camps where he was held, as well as a Top Secret annex about escape attempts (one), sabotage and collaboration.

Maisie

Rach · Post by **Rach** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:07 pm

Maisie,
Do you know if a soldier's service records would have any of the information about the time in POW camp or was all that kept separately?
Rae

Maisie · Post by **Maisie** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:09 pm

Rae

Afraid I don't know as we didn't set out to look for my father's war record. I think my brother just read that these archives had been opened and had a look next time he was at NA in connection with his academic research. They aren't on-line. If you go to the NA Home Page and click on Research on the menu at the top then Research Guides, under "P" you'll find "Prisoners of War: British 1939-45" which lists everything they hold. The document I have is number 8 in the guide. But I guess there must also be information in the service record.

If you can get hold of the Questionnaire it's absolutely fascinating, and the more so since it's handwritten by the POW himself.

Maisie

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:03 am

Rach wrote:Maisie,
Do you know if a soldier's service records would have any of the information about the time in POW camp or was all that kept separately?
Rae

Service records from WWII are still only available on application to the relevant deparment of the Ministry of Defence - navy, army, air force, royal marines. And you need to be able to demonstrate a family connection. It's free for the widow or widower but a fee (£30 or £40?) is charged to all other applicants. Last I heard was that the backlog was such that it was taking up to 6 months or more for the information to be provided.

Under the 2000 Freedom of Information Act, I'm uncertain what future policy will be in this area. Anyone fancy reading though the whole of http://www.foi.gov.uk/yourRights/index.htm ? - do the armed forces, as part of the Ministry of Defence, count as a "public authority"?, seems to be the key question.

David

Rach · Post by **Rach** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 12:23 pm

Thanks, David & Maisie for your replies.
I had a quick look at the FOI and it does say that the armed forces of the Crown come under Public Authorities and that you can ask for info about other people as long as it doesn't breach their rights under the D.P.A.
It also says that a small payment may be required for photocopying and postage but if it amounts to more that £450 it can be turned down.
As the N.A.S. doesn't hold P.O.W. information I'll request it from N.A. Kew.
I did realise that the service records requested from Glasgow were taking some time but will be sending away for them anyway.
I suppose this hobby is cheaper than playing golf!
Rae

karenc · Post by **karenc** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:23 pm

Thanks everyone for the info

I am thinking about maybe planning a trip to Kew in the new year so i will hang on and see if i can get anything then. That questionnaire that they completed sounds really interesting

Karen