I’m Cian, and I’m 12 years old. My great grandfather was a prisoner of war for 5 years in Stalag VIIIB camp, Poland. My grandmother has a letters that he had written to his Mother whilst he was captured.
Last year, 8 of us in our family visited the site of Stalag VIIIB camp. It was a very interesting day. I would have liked to talk to my great grandfather about the war and being a prisoner, but he died before I was born.
Here is a letter my great grandfather sent to his mother to say he’d been captured, but that he was well. It must have been very hard for his mother not knowing if her son was dead or alive, and she must have been very happy to get this letter from him.
GNR Wesley Jones 1492438
Prisoner of War
June 8th 1940
Dear Mother
Well here I am writing to you as a a prisoner of war. I don’t know whether you already know or not. You may have been informed by the War Office or you may have received a letter from the Red Cross because I wrote to them a week ago asking if they would inform you, but it is quite possible the letter was never sent. Anyway I shall be very glad if you get it then you will know that I am well. I was not wounded in any way and in the best of health. I hope that you have not been worrying about me as I am alright. At least I can be very thankful that I am alive. I have been made to rough it a good deal lately and I have been marched a great deal and I have not been getting too much to eat, but I hope it will be better soon. The weather has been marvellous since I was captured and I think I can be very thankful for that.
I hope to be able to write you my address soon, then I believe you will be able to send me some parcels, and when you do don’t send any cakes but some good wholesome food, some butter, chocolate and some cigarettes. Well I have no idea how the war is going on. I hear rumours but I have no definite news. By the way I have plenty of pals here because all my pals were captured with me.
Well I hope that you are all well at home and that your eye is better by now. Remember me to everybody and I won’t be able to write many letters now and I hope this war won’t last very long, then I shall be able to go home again.
Well I have no more news now so l’ll close hoping that you are all well and happy at home and that this letter will put your minds at ease that I am safe and well.
So best love and wishes
And hope to see you all soon
Wes
I’m Elliw, and I’m 12 years old. My great grandfather was a prisoner of war for 5 years in Stalag VIIIB camp, Poland. My grandmother has a letters that he had written to his Mother whilst he was captured.
Last year, 8 of us in our family visited the site of Stalag VIIIB camp. It was a very interesting day. I wouldn’t have liked sleeping in one of those huts even for one night let alone 5 years! I do hope you’ll find these letters interesting. I would have liked to talk to my great grandfather about the war and being a prisoner, but he died before I was born.
Here is a telegram my great grandfather sent to his mother to say he was a free man after nearly 5 years.
Dear Mother and all
Well mother, its happened at last, I’m a free man after nearly 5 years as a prisoner of war. Tuesday the 24th of April will be a never forgotten day in my life, when at 5pm we first saw Yankee tanks and what a sight them Yankee troops were to me who seen nothing but German soldiers for five years. I believe we all went hysterical, and can you blame us. Well I’ve been free now for 3 days and what a 3 days. I’ve been living on the best of everything and enjoying my freedom to its fattest extent. It,s just simply marvellous to be able to do what you like. Since the middle of Jan we have marched about 700 miles sleeping in barns on the way and we were still on the march when the Americans recaptured us. Well I don’t know how soon I can expect to see you but I don’t expect it will be very long. It can never be too soon for me. Well let Evan know to expect me soon and get the bed ready and tell the boys that I will be with them soon. Well I have no more news now but I hope to see you before Whitsun. So my best love and wishes to everyone.
Wes
