Using National Archives to find POW questionaires

Moose · Flight Lieutenant

Using National Archives to find POW questionaires

alieneyes · Group Captain

It's hit or miss, Moose.

Sometimes they're listed in the contents of each folder by name. But when you go look the actual questionnaire is missing.

I usually use the man's service number and surname in discovery. That way things like combat reports come up as well.

Moose · Flight Lieutenant

is "Discovery" one of the Archives pages ? I don't remember seeing it , but maybe just didn't notice its name

alieneyes · Group Captain

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

Moose · Flight Lieutenant

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it

alieneyes · Group Captain

If I follow what you're up to, you're looking at POWs from No. 419 Sqn?

Kew is really not the place to look for RCAF fellows. You probably know that only 65% of liberated POWs filled out the questionnaires.

So, there are two places to look. One is their service record.

In the early 50s, ex POWs were given a sum of money based on a) how much time they had spent as a POW and b) what abuse they had tolerated. Things like being locked in a 40&8 boxcar etc. These records survive and are held at the LAC in Ottawa. These have way more information than a service record.

I took a look at one of your POWs. R/71755 Sgt. E.A. Winkler. His full name was Eric Alfred Winkler: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Winkler

As he passed away in 1995 you can apply for both his service records AND the transcripts of the 1950s hearings. This would qualify as the "proof of death" the LAC need:

www.lop.parl.gc.ca/ParlInfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx

NickFenton · Corporal

Moose,

If you are looking for POW Liberation Questionnaires, you can use this site to find the reference, or indeed, secure a copy. http://www.arcre.com/questionnaires

A very useful resource.

Whilst 65% of POW's completed Lib. Questionnaires, the aircrew were quite meticulously interviewed at Cosford so a much greater percentage of aircrew completed them compared to the other services. I do have quite a few and can check them for you if you send me a list.

As you have discovered, Escape and evasion reports are a nightmare and i suggest that you follow the advice already given.

regards,

Nick

KenFentonsWar.com

Moose · Flight Lieutenant

thank you Nick and Wing Commander, great to have all the sources I can find. Yes finding the right report is difficult. The list of POWs numbers and camps only seem to be the last camp they were in, seldom lists other camps. May contact you Nick later tonight Nick.

Winco how odd that you picked Eric Winkler, I was talking to his widow a few months back. he was the mayor of my town way back when and then MP for the area.

Again thanks for the help

alieneyes · Group Captain

Winkler came up as I had just seen an ad for a TV show the actor Henry Winkler is doing.

I did find another one which will probably be of interest to you. Rather rare to hear their stories in their own words:

www.thememoryproject.com/stories/1833:john-harris/

Moose · Flight Lieutenant

Again how odd I just uploaded yesterday a series of photos from the family of Joe Kilpatrick the air gunner on Harris's Halifax JD410.

www.419squadron.com/KilpatrickJHC.html

Glad you sent the link along, I think I was on that web page before for one other Mooseman. The information keeps coming and I try and add it to my website. Some months I think well I have enough data for about six months more work, what then. Then of course more stories and photos find there way to me. It is great. So now I have a photo of Harris and some info on him to add.

Dan
www.419squadron.com