Les davenport - POW Wartime log LIST OF NAMES UPDATED!!

[Davenport7]

I have managed to obtain and read my grandads wartime log from being a POW from September 1941 - 45.

On his travels he was in numerous camps from Lamsdorf Sept 41 - April 41, Sagan Apr 42 - May 43, Hydekrug May 43 - August 44 , Fallingbostel August 44 - April 45.

Escaped forced march on the 13th April 1945 with Charles Frederick Hall and Richard William Jones and met the advancing allies on the 18th April 1945.

Interestingly in this book it lists many names and in some instances addresses of people who wrote in my grandads book and left messages.

I thought it would be interesting if I shared the names with you all as it contains RAF, USAF, worth a look it may bring up a relative!!

Here goes:

Grandads name: Leslie E J Davenport
Service Number: 964692
Squadron 7 Bomber Command - Short Stirlings

This is the crew he was shot down on the way back from Berlin: 8th September 1941. All were POWs. (N6046 MG-Y) Short Stirling. All of the below names were in my grandads POW wartime log.....

Crew shot down with:

F/sgt A Yardley - Serv.No 748748 - in contact with daughter
F/O C.M Hall (Australian) 402002 - Passed away in Australia late 00's
Sgt. John.Henry Boulton 742790
Sgt John Melville Sutton 746720
Sgt Arthur Speakman 551472 - lives in Preston
Sgt Dennis Owens 528924 - in contact with son

other names mentioned (done my best to make out hand writing):

Maurice George Percy Stretton - RAF 44 Squadron - had contact with Son
Stanley Hewitt - RAF 7 Squadron
Ray Evans - RAF 104 Squadron Blenheim z7289 MQ-R pow 28/8/41
Dennis Owens - 7 Squadron grandads crew aboard N6046 MG-Y pow 8/9/41 - had contact with son
Johnny Morgan - RAF 104 Squadron w5461 pow 12/8/41
Charles Frederick Hall - RAF 207 Squadron L7380 EM-W pow 8/9/41 - about to have contact with son
Richard R Huleatt - RAF - In contact with family in Canada - 78 Squadron w7931 pow 26/3/43
John Henry Boulton - 7 Squadron grandads crew aboard N6046 MG-Y pow 8/9/41
J or P Smith - RAF
Alexander Kerr - RAF 115 Squadron R1379 10/5/41 - Possibly meeting him in london next year he lives in Australia
Dennis A Lloyd - RAF 7 Squadron - N6020 pow on 25/8/41 -in contact with Grandson
John Melville Sutton - 7 Squadron grandads crew aboard N6046 MG-Y pow 8/9/41
Dennis S Merrells - 7 Squadron N3663 MG-H pow 2/8/41
William Stanley Bellew - 7 Squadron W7430 pow 2/6/41
David Y Teil - RAF
Richard A Copley - RAF 12 Squadron Wellington w5421 pow 6/8/41- (SPOKE WITH HIM ON THE PHONE)
H West - RAF 51 Squadron HR750 pow 27/5/43
Johnny D Morgan - RAF 104 Squadron Wellington EP-R w5461 pow 12/8/41
Thomas W Coultart - RAF 115 Squadron DS722 pow 23/8/43
Sydney Dawson - RAF
Edward Purnell - RAF
Jos Donven - Luxembourg??
Charles D/G? Paterson - RAF 57 Squadron T2970 pow 13/3/41
Anthony Palmer - RAF
Harold Bell - RAF 75 Squadron Z1168 pow 26/10/41
Harold I Bast - Piedmont Oklahoma USA 463rd Bomb Grp 772 Squadron pow 25/7/44
Virgil H Smallen - Tennessee USA 457th Bomb Grp
Floyd T Stitely - Pennsylvania USA 457th Bomb Grp 748 Squadron pow 21/7/44
Monty Todd - RAF 630 Squadron ND788 pow 24/3/44
John J Maher - RAF 431 Squadron LK963 pow 28/1/44

For more details on the names above please see this link (which is the night my grandfather got shot down with his crew but has POW names listed there) as I may have got spellings incorrect....

http://aircrewremembered.com/yardley-alick.html

In addition to this I am interested in anyone that had a family member serve in 7 Squadron ww2 1941 whether it be Aircrew, ground crew etc, would like crew photos, stirling photos and moreover POW photos that may relate to the people above or camps.

My grandfathers (Les Davenport's - Front Gunner) original crew was :

Pilot - Dennis Witt DFM DFC - (IN CONTACT WITH HIS SON)
Navigator - Keith Deyell - (IN CONTACT WITH FAMILY)
Co Pilot - Les Bolton - (PASSED AWAY FEB 2014)
Engineer - John Prentice - (SPOKE A FEW YEARS BACK LIVES IN NEW ZEALAND)
Wireless op - Arthur Burrows - KILLED ON OPS 1941WITH 7 SQUADRON
Rear gunner - John Lionel Abel Mills - KILLED ON OPS ON MANCHESTER BOMBERS

Prior to this he did Wireless training at Yatesbury in 1940, Gunnery training at Stormy Down Wales late 1940 and then on to 11 OTU at Bassingbourne early 1941, before joining 7 Squadron.

Hope this was interesting and fingers crossed I get some contact from someone.

Ian Davenport ian_davenportAThotmail.com (replace AT with @)

[K4KittyCrew]

Great stuff, Ian. Many thanks for sharing this with us.
Probably fair to say that your grand father endured many a tough time walking from camp to camp. I've read that some PoW's started walking for the up to 18 months prior to war's end.
Their grit and determination could never be matched nowadays.

Some members may be able to add further details, hopefully.
Cheers,
John

[ME453]

What's especially noteworthy is that they all got out, I don't think that would have happened on too many occasions in a Lancaster!
Max

[K4KittyCrew]

Hi folks, Ian has ask me to post some images of his grandfather, Les Davenport.
I've put them through 'photobucket' but have also re-posted the squadron crew image through normal upload attachment on the forum, however, I have left it unattached so the image is larger in size.
( To view the last image as a whole, click on it and then use the slide bar to scroll across )
John

[david layne]

P.O.W.’s named in my father Walter Layne’s Red Cross “Wartime Log.”


Robert Hancock, Woodhouse Farm, Leconfield, E. Yorks.

R. Utteridge, 13 Harpenden Road, W. Norwood, SE 27

Jim D. Skinner, 10 Earl Street, New Brumby, Scunthorpe.

Johnny Howes, Peacehaven, Sussex.

George W. Hand, Morcott, near Uppingham, Rutland.

D.N. Lee, Brentford Middelsex.

Laurie W. Collins, "Sackville House." 4 Littlefields Land, Grimsby, Lincs.

G.F. Ruddock, 16 Alforton Ave., West Green, London. N15.

William A. Roe, 45 Mansfield rd. Guilford, Surry.

Gordan Jack, 14 Eridgeway, Foresttown, Johannesburg S.A.

G.R. Simich, West Coast Rd. Oratia. Auckland. N.Z.

Roger G. Simmons, 57 Manor Way, Woodmansterne, Surrey.

Donald Prentice, 124 Caledon St. Uiterhage, Cape Province. S.A.

W. James Hunter, 123 Winifred Rd. Coulson, Surrey.

Louis B. Gunter, Binsley Rd. Coventry.

E.H.L. Shore, 31 The Parade, Barry, Glamorgan.

Alex McCullock, 63 Twyford Ave. Fosters Green, London.

Lockyer, Chorley, Lancs.

D. Meyrick, 38 Coronation Rd. Gilfach Goch, Glamorgan.

Benson, "OK" Goondriwindi, Queensland.

J.N. Denton, 4 The Terrace, Chyandous, Penzance, Cornwall.

Chas Allen (Tim) 70 Warren road, Washwood Heath, Birmingham.

J. Seedhouse, c/o Morton, Skillington, nr. Grantham.

R.J. Jackson, 20 Maytree Crescent, Warford, Herts.

Frank S. Read, 45 Mansfield Rd. Guilford, Surrey.

George F. Calvert, 11 Mallett Crescent, Bolton.

F.L. Ringham, 123 Borden Rd. Tunbridge, Kent.
.
Les Calvert.

W. Petch 23 Hamilton Rd. Scunthorpe.

Bob Beeston.

G.R.D.B. Hobsbawn, Santiago, Chile.

Ronald Walker, 106 Sunderland Ave. Tickhill, Doncaster.

J.E. Nelson, 15 Parkfield Rd. Bolton. (One of the crew members when my father was shot down.)

J. Beesley, 176 Woodland Ave. Handsworth, Birmingham. (One of the crew members when my father was shot down)

C. Hanrahan, 5 Norbreck Close, Cinder Hill, Notts.

L. Sadezky, Aldenham, Elstree, Herts.

L. Littlewood, 43 Rothschild St., West Norwood, London. SE 27

J. Allen Charlton, Dick Road, Kilmarnock.

R. Coulbeck, 97 Reavensdale St. Scunthorpe.

P. Gurnell, Sturton, Brigg.

J. Kenny, 27 Featherstall Rd.Oldham.

McDonald, 24 Brookland Drive, London, NW.11

P. Hyden

[wayne]

Hi David,

The G. R. Simich in your post is probably George Ronald Simich RNZAF (NZ391369) Pilot 75 (NZ) Squadron 23 Nov 1940
to pow 19 May 1941.
Citation DFC (18 Jul 1941): This officer has completed 182 operational hours
and 21 sorties. He has proved an ideal captain and has done outstanding work. He
has attacked Berlin on four occasions, each time displaying outstanding skill,
determination and gallantry in pressing home his attack despite severe damage
sustained at times by his aircraft. On the night of 17th April 1941, he ran into a fierce
barrage of anti-aircraft fire and searchlight concentrations on the outskirts of Berlin.
Despite his attempts to run on to his target , he was forced so low that he was
unsuccessful and had o turn away. Regaining height he persevered until he was able
to accomplish a successful ran over his target.

Later Flt/Lt G R Simich, DFC, MiD.
Died Friday 27th August 1948, age 32, when his Mosquito crashed at Himatangi Beach new Zealand.
Buried Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland New Zealand.

[david layne]

Wayne you are correct that is the same Simich.

Also of note from this list are Simmons and Shore. These two prisoners were part of the forgery department at Stalag Luft III that made the documents for the "Wooden Horse" escapees.

[david layne]

I have made great progress in tracking down the prisoners in my father's POW "Wartime Log." If anyone can fill in some blanks I would be most appreciative.

Allen Chas(Tim) 70 Warren road, Washwood Heath, Birmingham. Sgt. Rear Gunner, 75 Squadron,
Lancaster PB520 20 Nov 44, Op Homberg, Lancaster PB520

Bean L.F. Sgt F/E 432 Squadron Halifax LW597, shot down 25/26 February 1944 by night fighter near Ulm on operations to Augsburg.

Beesley, J. 176 Woodland Ave. Handsworth, Birmingham. F/S Bomb Aimer 97 Squadron Lancaster JA708. Shot down by night fighter 23/24 September 1943 after bombing Mannheim. (One of the crew members when my father was shot down)

Beeston, Bob (A.H.) W/O Pilot of 51 Squadron Halifax HR750 shot down 27/28 May 1943 on raid to Essen, all crew survived.

Benson, A.J. "OK" Goondriwindi, Queensland. Sgt. Pilot 10 O.T.U. Whitley BD220 At 14.39 hours, 14 June 1943 two U boats inbound for their French base in Bordeaux were spotted by the Whitley in the Bay of Biscay and shadowed. U-564 was unable to dive after an air attack the day before and was being escorted back to France by U-185. At 16.45 hours, the fuel of the aircraft was running low the pilot Sergeant Benson decided to attack U-564. Both boats opened fire and hit the bomber, but its depth charges caused more damage on the boat and she sank at 17.30 hours. The hydraulics and the starboard engine of the Whitley were damaged, so the crew was forced to ditch into the Bay of Biscay approximately 80 miles south west of the Isles of Scilly. The crew were picked up three days later by a French trawler and ended up as German prisoners of war. A good account is in Norman Franks book ' Search, Find and Kill' . Benson was awarded the D.F.M for this action. http://www.crookwellgazette.com.au/stor ... crookwell/

Calvert, Les. Sgt. 106 Squadron Lancaster W4842 on May 27th 1943 on an operation to Essen. No relation to crew member George F. Calvert, listed below.

Calvert, George F. 11 Mallett Crescent, Bolton. F/S 106 Squadron Lancaster W4842 on May 27th 1943 on an operation to Essen. According to Lancaster at War 3 (Pages 68-72) George was not related to crew member Les Calvert. George Calvert also has an account in Cooper's 'Air Battle of the Ruhr' (Page 80). The crew survived a Whitley crash landing on 9 Dec 42 whilst with 19 OTU Kinloss, a first ditching in Lancaster R5892 on 21 Feb 43 with 1661 HCU and then a second ditching after the Essen raid although on this occasion they were picked up by the Germans.

Charlton, J. Allen 9 Dick Road, Kilmarnock. Air Corporal RAF 981256

Collins, Laurie W. "Sackville House." 4 Littlefields Land, Grimsby, Lincs. A/G 57 Squadron Wellington R1369 operation to Kiel shot down and crashed in the sea near the Frisians

Coulbeck, R. 97 Ravendale St. Scunthorpe. Pvt. R.A.O.C. POW# 6084 Service# 7615370

Denton, J.N. 4 The Terrace, Chyandous, Penzance, Cornwall. F/S 106 Squadron Lancaster W4842, shot down 27 May 1943 on a raid to Essen.

Gillman E.J. Sgt F/E 97 Squadron Lancaster JA 707 . Attacked by night fighter after bombing Nuremburg and crashed in Luxembourg 27/28 August 1943 Gillman’s POW report is on line at http://webspace.qmul.ac.uk/fsegreyer/Es ... Report.htm
He was killed in 1948 when Lincoln RF474 of 9 Squadron crashed in France.

Gunter, Louis B. Binsley Rd. Coventry. S/L Pilot, 619 Squadron Lancaster ME855 shot down 12/13 Aug 44, Operation to Brunswick, Lancaster ME855

Gurnell, P. Sturton, Brigg. Sgt. A/G 207 Squadron Manchester L7307 lost 27/28 March 1941 on operations to Dusseldorf.

Hancock, Robert. Woodhouse Farm, Leconfield, E. Yorks. W/O Observer on 77 Squadron Whitley Z9280, shot down attacking Wilhelmshaven 27 February 1942

Hand, George W. Morcott, near Uppingham, Rutland. Sgt. W/O 434 Squadron Halifax LL257 shot down 19/20 February 1944 on operations to Leipzig.

Hanrahan, C. 5 Norbreck Close, Cinder Hill, Notts. Sgt. F/E 97 Squadron Lancaster ED816 shot down 12/13 June 1943 on an operation to Bochum.

Hobsbawn, G.R.D.B. Santiago, Chile. Sgt. 102 Squadron Halifax W7652 lost 16 June on an operation to Essen

Howes, Johnny. Peacehaven, Sussex. Sgt. 57 Squadron Wellington Z8985 lost 7/8 November 1941 on a “Rover Patrol” in the Munster area.

Hunter, W. James 123 Winifred Rd. Coulson, Surrey. P/O Observer 217 Squadron Coastal Command Beaufort AW238 shot down attacking the battleship Scharnhorst in the Bay of Biscay, 25 July 1941. Was one of the forgers of the “Dean and Dawson” organization that made documents for the “Wooden Horse” escape.

Hyden, P. F/O 78 Squadron Halifax DT775 shot down by night fighter 10/11 April 1943 on an operation to Frankfurt.

Jack, Gordan B. 14 Eridgeway, Forest Town, Johannesburg S.A. S.A.A.F. 205570 S.A.A.F. POW 684
Lt. possibly 2 squadron shot down 1 September 1942 in P40 Kittyhawk

Jackson, R.J. 20 Maytree Crescent, Watford, Herts. Sgt. F/E 156 Squadron Lancaster W4943 shot down by night fighter on operations to Essen 27/28 May 1943

Kenny J. Sgt. W/O 97 Squadron Lancaster JA 707 . Attacked by night fighter after bombing Nuremburg and crashed in Luxembourg 27/28 August 1943

Lee, D.N. Brentford, Middlesex. Sgt. Pilot of 77 Squadron Whitley Z6570 lost on operation to Berlin 9/10 April 1941.

Littlewood, L. 43 Rothschild St., West Norwood, London. SE 27 Sgt. 487 Squadron Ventura AE731 crashed participating in “Ramrod 16” attacking a power station near Amsterdam 3 May 1943.

Lockyer Thomas Mitchell,. F/Lt. Chorley, Lancs. shot down 22/02/41 flying Spitfire R6598 (1PRU) over Ostend the victim of Obfw Hermann Staege 2./LG 2

McCullock, Alex. 63 Twyford Ave. Fosters Green, London. P/O Mid upper gunner 35 Squadron Halifax LV864 shot down by night fighter 19/20 February 1944 on operations to Leipzig.

McDonald, Ian Alexander 24 Brookland Rise, London, NW.11 Sgt. A/G 50 Squadron Hampden AE 318 shot down 7/8 September 1941 on operations to Kiel.

W.T. McKeown, 48 St. Helliers St. Linwood N.Z. F/Lt. 239 Squadron Mustang shot down during Dieppe raid 19 August 1942.

Meyrick, D. 38 Coronation Rd. Gilfach Goch, Glamorgan. AC1 150 Squadron Battle L5540, shot down attacking enemy columns in Luxembourg and crash landed in the target area near Bonnevoie, 10 May 1940.

Nelson, Joseph Edmundson.15 Parkfield Rd. Bolton. F/S Flight Engineer 97 Squadron Lancaster JA708. Shot down by night fighter 23/24 September 1943 after bombing Mannheim. (One of the crew members when my father was shot down.)

Petch, W. 23 Hamilton Rd. Scunthorpe. Sgt. 77 Squadron Whitley Z6642 crashed 7 July 1941 on operation to Dortmund.

Prentice, Donald F.124 Caledon St. Uiterhage, Cape Province. S.A. Lt. Pilot Mustang HB 908 Shot down by flak 30 October 1944 aircraft crashed in Gulf Of Venice near San Vito.

Pryde, J. Sgt. 9 Squadron Wellington W5729. Lost on operations to Cologne 10/11 July 1941.

Reade, Frank S. 45 Mansfield Rd. Guilford, Surrey. F/O 199 Squadron Wellington HF488 shot down by night fighter on operations to Dusseldorf.

Ringham, F.L. 123 Borden Rd. Tunbridge, Kent. 131829 Sgt. 102 Squadron Halifax W7652 lost 16 June 1942 on operations to Essen.

Roe, William Alec. “Allendale” Fordham Rd. Bury St. Edmonds. possibly 21 Squadron Mosquito

Ruddock, G.F. 16 Alforton Ave., West Green, London. N15. F/L Bomb Aimer for Gunter crew 619 Squadron Lancaster ME855 shot down 12/13 Aug 44, Operation to Brunswick, Lancaster ME855

Sadezky, L. Aldenham, Elstree, Herts. Sgt. A/G 83 Squadron Hampden AE319. Shot down 6 September 1941 mine laying Oslo harbour.

Seedhouse, J. c/o Morton, Skillington, nr. Grantham. F/S Flight Engineer 106 Squadron Lancaster W4842 crashed Leiden Holland with all crew becoming P.O.W.’s. 27/28 May 1943 operations to Essen.

Shore, Eric Hudson Lithgow, 31 The Parade, Barry, Glamorgan. P/O pilot of 501 Squadron Spitfire AA 837. Shot down St. Lo France 4th November 1941. (Leader of “Dean and Dawson” the forgery department of Stalag Luft III that made the documents for the “Wooden Horse” escapees.)

Simich, G.R. West Coast Rd. Oratia. Auckland. N.Z., F/L 214 Squadron Stirling W7560 shot down 26 July 1942 on operations against Hamburg. Died 27th August 1948 age 32 when his Mosquito crashed at Himatangi Beach New Zealand.

Simmons, Roger G. 57 Manor Way, Woodmansterne, Surrey. F/O Seconded to SAAF and joined 1 Squadron shot down 24 March 1943 in his Spitfire strafing Gabes Airfield Tunisia. (Part of “Dean and Dawson” the forgery department of Stalag Luft III that made the documents for the “Wooden Horse” escapees.)

Skinner, Jim D 10 Earl Street, New Brumby, Scunthorpe. Sgt. Nav. 61 Squadron Lancaster W4763. Shot down by flak 9/10 July 1943 on operations to Gelsenkirchen.

Smith, Jack possibly 900788

Utteridge, R.J. 13 Harpenden Road, W. Norwood, SE 27 LAC 142 Squadron Battle shot down 13 June 1940 at Rouen on an operation to Foret de Gault.

Waddington-Allwright Gordon J. Sgt. A/G Central Gunnery School Wellington N2894 shot down on return flight by Me110 night fighter at 02:25 near Hessen-Allee, 8km.southeast of Apeldorn on first 1000 bomber raid against Cologne 30/31 May 1942. http://translate.google.co.uk/translate ... es_sm%3D93


Walker, Ronald 106 Sunderland Ave. Tickhill, Doncaster. Could be R. Walker 52179 or RA Walker 60141

[Davenport7]

Worth a re-fresh!!

I have managed to obtain and read my grandads wartime log from being a POW from September 1941 - 45.

On his travels he was in numerous camps from Lamsdorf Sept 41 - April 41, Sagan Apr 42 - May 43, Hydekrug May 43 - August 44 , Fallingbostel August 44 - April 45.

Interestingly in this book it lists many names and in some instances addresses of people who wrote in my grandads book and left messages.

I thought it would be interesting if I shared the names with you all as it contains RAF, Army etc, worth a look it may bring up a relative!!

Here goes:

Grandads name: Leslie E J Davenport
Service Number: 964692
Squadron 7 Bomber Command - Short Stirlings

This is the crew he was shot down on the way back from Berlin: 8th September 1941. All were POWs. (N6046 MG-Y?) Short Stirling. All of the below names were in my grandads POW wartime log.....

Crew shot down with:

F/sgt A Yardley - Serv.No 748748 - in contact with daughter
F/O C.M Hall (Australian) 402002
Sgt. J.H Boulton 742790
Sgt J. Sutton 746720
Sgt A. Speakman 551472 - lives in Preston
Sgt D. Owens 528924 - in contact with son

other names mentioned (done my best to make out hand writing):

Maurice Stretton - RAF
Stanley Hewitt - RAF
Ray Evans - RAF
Dennis Owens - 7 SQUADRON
Johnny Morgan - RAF
C F Hall - RAF
Richard R Huleatt - RAF - In contact with family in Canada
John Henry Boulton - 7 SQUADRON
J or P Smith - ?
Alex Kerr - RAF
Dennis A Lloyd - RAF 7 Squadron - In contact with Grandson
John Melville Sutton - 7 SQUADRON
Dennis S Merrells - 7 SQUADRON
W S Bellew - ?
David Y Teil - ?
Richard A Copley - RAF (SPOKE WITH HIM ON THE PHONE THE OTHER DAY)
H West - ?
Johnny D Morgan - RAF
Thomas W Coultart - RAF
Sydney Dawson - RAF
Edward Parnell - RAF
Jos Donven - Luxembourg
Charles D Paterson - RAF
Anthony Palmer - RAF
Harold Bell - RAF
Harold I Bast - Oklahoma USA
Virgil H Smallen - Tennessee USA
Floyd T Stitely - Pennsylvania USA
Monty Todd - ?
John J Maher - RAF

For more details on the names above please see this link (which is the night my grandfather got shot down with his crew but has POW names listed there) as I may have got spellings incorrect....

http://aircrewremembered.com/yardley-alick.html

In addition to this I am interested in anyone that had a family member serve in 7 Squadron ww2 1941 whether it be Aircrew, ground crew etc, would like crew photos, stirling photos and moreover POW photos that may relate to the people above or camps.

My grandfathers (Les Davenport's - Front Gunner) original crew was :

Pilot - Dennis Witt DFM DFC - (IN CONTACT WITH HIS SON)
Navigator - Keith Deyell - (IN CONTACT WITH FAMILY)
Co Pilot - Les Bolton - (SPOKE ON THE PHONE RECENTLY - SINCE DESEASED FEB 2014)
Engineer - John Prentice - (SPOKE A FEW YEARS BACK LIVES IN NEW ZEALAND)
Wireless op - Arthur Burrows - KILLED ON OPS 1941
Rear gunner - J L A Mills - KILLED ON OPS ON MANCHESTER BOMBERS

Prior to this he did Wireless training at Yatesbury in 1940, Gunnery training at Stormy Down Wales late 1940 and then on to 11 OTU at Bassingbourne early 1941, before going to RAF Leconfield awaiting to join 7 Squadron.

Hope this was interesting and fingers crossed I get some contact from someone.

[Davenport7]

Hello All,

I have hit the 'motherload' of information regarding my grandfather and his time as POW. A Charles Frederick Hall did some art work in my grandfathers POW Wartime log book and put his name and addess in the book. I did some digging regarding him, he was an AG on 207 Sqn Manchesters. His bomber L7380 EM-W was shot down the same night as my grandfather 7/8th September 1941 on route to Berlin on the dutch island of Ameland.

I contacted the Sqn association and they put me in touch with someone that did an orration at his funeral in 2006. Then I was put in touch with the son of Charles and this was the response I received, along with a photo of a poem my grandfather wrote by Omar Khyyam entitled Madness and a picture of them in summer 1945 on their rehab in Scarborough!! I am blown away. Please see email:

Thank you for your email. My Dad did talk about his war time experiences and wrote them down in so far as his time as a POW was concerned, for the benefit of his children (me and my brother and sister) and grandchildren. My Dad was shot down on 7th Sept 1941 on the Dutch island of Ameland on his 25th birthday. I visited Ameland with my wife and brother in 2007 on that same date in September and met up with a local who takes an interest in WW2 and who showed us the crash site. As in your grandfather's case, it was a miracle that they survived the crash. The story of how this guy contacted my Dad is another episode in itself. My dad died in 2006.
Leslie Davenport is mentioned twice in his account; early on after being shot down they met up in a transit camp Dalagluft, Frankfurt, and in his first camp at Stalag Luft V111 B, Lamsdorf. He talks about how they had trained together and how they agreed to "combine" as a two in sharing Red Cross food parcels and how this arrangement lasted during the war. Leslie is also mentioned towards the end of his time in captivity when the two of them made an escape from the forced march from Stalag 357 Fallingbostel which started on April 6th 1945. They escaped from the column on 13th April 1945 and were eventually reached British forces on April 18th 1945 at Vendishaven. (I have checked and this is incorrect as it is not a place in Germany) There are no drawings by Leslie in his log book, but plenty from my Dad and some from other POWs, as well as a number of poems, reflections and introspection. I looked at them again yesterday and the whole log is extremely moving. I do remember asking him whether he'd tried to contact Leslie after the war, because my Dad was a member of the RAF Aircrew Association and went on some reunions of POWs. I think he said that Leslie wanted to forget about the war and was not very interested in meeting up, but my recollection may not be 100%. There's a photo of the two of them plus a Bill Jones prior to demobilisation dated summer 1945 which I attach. My Dad is on the left. I also attach Leslie's entry in the log, a poem by Omar Khyam called 'Madness' dated 26/7/1944 Thorn, Poland. I attach this although the ink is faint. Like you, I'd appreciate it if you would have these for personal use only, and I will do the same for the items you have sent me. My Dad's log has the photo of sports day at Sagan in it as well, but I can't see him- he may be the chap with the cigarette in his mouth but it's not easy to make it out.
We live in Taunton, Somerset. Although we're some distance from each other, it would be good to meet up some time if that were possible.

What an early Xmas present I am so pleased that I have closed a chapter in my reseach, to know that he 'combined' with Charles Hall through the war and made their escape together, before the Gresse incident even happened. When they escaped on the 13th April 45 I know from a diary kept by another airman on the internet I found this was a rest day. The next day they marched 10-15 kilometers to Sudergellersen South East of Lunenburg heath area. So they were on the run for 5 days, how much ground could they have covered?

I would like to know more regarding this 'Bill Jones' perhaps William Jones, in the picture he is wearing pilot wings, can someone check Footprints in the sands of time for me for that name?

Also Vendishaven they met British forces on the 18th April. This is not a place in Germany and obviously Charles account was written in the 90s so he may have got the place wrong. Where were the british forces on the 18th April 45? Lunenburg heath area?

Any help would be appreciated.