My name is Sue and along with my husband am trying to build a history of my father-in-laws experiences during WWII and as a POW. We have a small diary that he wrote and managed to maintain during this time but as it was written in pencil a lot of information has been lost.
He joined the 9th Royal Berkshire regiment on 27/4/40, on 1/5/43 he was transfered to the Blackwatch, then 20/5/43 to the Sherwood Foresters, from 24/8/43 he was with the Yorkshire Dragoons, finally ending up with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from 3/2/44.
My father-in-law served in Africa and Italy and was captured near Rome on 14/3/44.
He was held in Stalag 317 -Markt Pongau- until his sucessful escape shortly before the camp was liberated.
During his time as a POW he was taken in work parties to Nordhausen and Glasenbach.
Unfortunatley Leonard died in 1979 having suffered with ill health for many years.
David wishes he had asked his father more about his experiences while he was still alive, but, it is now too late.
I never met Leonard having met David just after his death, but, having heard what little the family know I hope to be able to fill in a few details for them with my own reasearches.
Recommended story
Story with photo