Godefroi, Stalag IXc escaper

**NickFenton** · 07-09-2009, 01:46 PM

Guys,

In both Sgt. James McCairn's and Sgt. Derrick Nabarro's escape and evasion report, they mention a Belgian whose christian name was Godefroi. He escaped with Nabarro but assisted McCairns and indeed my Father in earlier escapes. During the war he lived near Libramont.

Any ideas who he was?

Regards,

Nick

**Kyt** · 07-10-2009, 04:39 AM

There appears to be two different spellings:

Stalag IXC

I then set about making preparations for escape with a Belgian, whose christian name in Godefroi; he found out the times of the train, and I got sixty marks, a pair of slacks, and a leather jacket from a Frenchman in return for a fountain pen, a wrist watch, and an Army greatcoat. He also provided maps. I improved my French by conversation with a Corsican.

FENTON and I decided on a different way. At 0630 hours we put on French uniforms, over which we wore British Army greatcoats on which French buttons had been sown. We went out with a Belgian named GODFROID, who was going out with a working party to sweep out the barracks. We got behind the mess hut and nipped over the barbed wire. I wore woolen gloves and mittens made of khaki blanket material. As I was crossing a wooden fence about 3 ft. 6 ins. high a searchlight came on, but I was not noticed.

He is probably a Belgian soldier rather than airman

**NickFenton** · 07-12-2009, 11:39 AM

Kyt,

You are right about the different spellings but from my own research, they are one and the same. I also think you are right about the fact that he is probably a Belgian soldier.

Have checked through various European sites without success to date.

Regards,

Nick