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Langensalza POW Camp


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#1 Romeo

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:24 AM

Looking for any information out there about this camp. My Great Uncle, Oliver William Stokes, known as Will was sent there after being gassed very early on in the war. I have been unable to track down any information about him as I do not have his service number or any details about where he was when gassed. I believe he served with the Worcestershire Regiment but they have been unable to confirm this. He may have been with the TA's when he signed up. The only info I have really is a photo and a programme from a concert he helped to stage at the camp on 21.9.18. Any ideas where I could look?
Caroline

#2 richenry

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Posted 23 July 2012 - 12:03 AM

Hi Caroline.
just searched the medal index card database on the ancestry site and come up with Oliver W Stokes, two Worcestershire Reg no's 3822 and 241206 rank Sjt. Awarded the Victory and British Medals.
My grandfather was also a prisoner at Langensalza (amoungst others) POW camp.  If you Google the name you should get plenty of info on the camp.
I also sent a request to the Red Cross for any info they might have and had a very good response some 3 months later, Giving information on his Unit, where and when he was captured, what camps he was held at and when and where he was repatriated, the service was free when I requested it but I believe the Red Cross now charge for it ?

#3 Romeo

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 10:02 AM

Hi Richenry
thank you so much for your reply. I only saw this last night as I had given up checking for any responses after a few weeks of posting. I wonder if you would mind checking out for me if the man you found has a date of birth of 12.5.1894. This is only a stab in the dark from some old family papers so it may not be right. If it is the same man do you know why he would have had 2 regiment numbers? I'm feeling a bit dumb as I googled the camp a few years ago and the only thing I could find was a short report about a british prisoner, Berty Tucker, who was shot by the guards. I obviously need to look again!I will also contact the Red Cross as you suggest to see if they can find anything. I am keen to find out more in respect to my late father. Sadly he died two years ago but he had started to try to find out more by contacting the Worcs Reg. They advised him that most of their pertinent records were destroyed by fire during WW2.My father was very fond of his Uncle Will and, as a child, spent many happy hours at his farm in Leigh Sinton.  My fathers cousin was also interned at Langensalza but, again,I have very little information about him. His name was Horace Harvey.I have a few photo's and a programme of a theatre event that the men put on whilst at Langensalza that I would be happy to send you copies of if you are interested.  Please email me if you would like copies.Thank you again
Caroline

#4 Keith Roberts

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Posted 30 July 2012 - 01:15 PM

Caroline

You can "follow" this topic, which means you will be notified of further replies.

Keith

#5 Romeo

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Posted 31 July 2012 - 10:40 AM

Thanks Keith, I didn't realise I could do that, makes life much easier.
Caroline