Grandfather in Stalag VIIA

[Roxy]

Hi folks,

My grandfather was interred in Stalag VIIA (POW Number 18637) during the Second World War. I am currently searching the 79th News (the magazine of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders) to try to find some details regarding his service. The 'Big Book of British POW's' (can't recall the actual name!) has him as being in the RSF!

The family think that he was captured when serving in Italy.

I have sent a request for information regarding grandad to ICRC and have checked out Moosburg online. Furthermore, I intend to check out the RHF Museum (the descendents of the RSF) to see if there is any mention of him there.

If anyone on the forum has any details or can point me in another direction, I would be delighted.

Thanks in anticipation,

Roxy

[Kyt]

In your intro you said:

Originally Posted by Roxy

I am currently researching my grandfather 2926293 Pte Thomas McQ Roxburgh, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. He was captured (I believe in Italy) and interred in Stalag VIIA at Moosburg in Germany.
y

Though his service number falls within the Cameron Highlanders batch (2921001 - 2966000), that wouldn't preclude him being transferred. Have you applied for his service records? That would say when, where and with what unit he was taken POW

[Kyt]

BTW, Roxy, if it turns out that he was RSF, you may find this interesting:

The History Of The Royal Scots Fusiliers 1919-59

[Roxy]

Kyt,

Thanks for the prompt response. I have not yet written for his Service records - top of the 'to do' pile. I have seen, in the 79th News, when he arrived as a new recruit to the QOCH and intend to do a bit more work at Fort George.

Incidentally, I live just down the road from Dallachy - good piccie!

Roxy

[Roxy]

Kyt,

I had a quick look at your RSF link - the beauty with a Word document (or even a pdf) is the ability to search (Ctrl+F); works wonders! No sign of any Roxburgh, though.

Roxy

[Kyt]

If he was RSF, and if he was captured in Italy then it sounds like he was probably in the 2nd Battalion, part of 17th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division.

The 5th Division saw action in the Sicily Landings from 9th to 12 July 1943, and then was part of the British Eighth Army in Italy. Under XIII Corps, it was in the Messina area in September 1943, involved in the Sangro battles from 19th Nov. to 3rd Dec. 1943, engagements at Garigliano Crossing from 17th to 31 January1944.

After the British 1st Infantry Division and other British forces, as part of the U.S. VI Corps under Major General John P. Lucas, landed at Anzio in January 1944, the 5th Division was part of later reinforcements sent there, along with the 56th (London) Infantry Division .

It was part of the drive on Rome from 22 May to 4 June 1944. From there they were sent to Palestine, back to Italy and finally to North West Europe for the final months of the war.

[51highland]

He would not have been transferred, unless he requested it, or as punishment. The Camerons (only British regiment to have this) Constitution states that "they shall not be draughted into any other Regiment".

[Roxy]

Thanks,

He was always proud to be a Cameron! And, of course, the Germans may have been wrong. I was thinking that he may have been attached to, rather than serving with, the RSF.

I'll keep you posted.

Roxy

[Kyt]

I've just received a message from a friend who was browsing the forum who states that he has the official list of P.O.W. who were in Italy as of August 1943 and there is no Roxburgh matching your details.

That's not to say that he wasn't captured afterwards, but it's a start of dates.

[51highland]

If he was a Cameron and captured in Italy he would have been serving with the reconstituted 2nd Camerons. If he was captured in North Africa before August 1942 he would have been a original 2nd Cameron and probably interred in Italy first, before going to Germany. If captured in Sicily he would have been 5th Cameron.