DAVIES, Arthur Henry William

Rank: 
Rifleman
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Prior Police Service: 
Stoke on Trent Police
Regiment/Corps: 
King's Royal Rifle Corps
Service: 
Army
Number: 
14241793
P.O.W. number: 
263265
Born: 
Tuesday, August 21, 1917
Birthplace: 
Pinetown Transvaal
A. Davies 2 Commando
Arthur Davies was a Police Officer from Aldridge, near Walsall, Staffordshire. He volunteered for the Commandos enlisting 23 July 1942 joining the 2nd Police Intake to the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry. Arthur was then attached to No.2 Commando serving in 'A' Section, No.2 Sub-Section of 5 Troop.
He was reported missing 13 September 1943 last seen with Pte. John. Craig in a forward section post on Hill 321 at Vietri Sul Mare, Italy, which was overrun by the enemy for a period of 2 hours. Later found to have been wounded in the knee and a prisoner of war. Treated in a German Military Hospital at Freising, Bavaria, until 4 November 1943 when transferred to Stalag captivity.
In his liberation questionnaire he describes killing the guard and briefly escaping from captivity whilst being taken back from the German lines but recaptured shortly after when unable to continue due to his knee wound.
 
Sources
Notebook and address book of LSgt. Joe Rogers MM of 5 Troop.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/68.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4F).
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/89/168 (Stalag 4B) (birthplace shown as Pinetown, Transvaal).
Dir. of Mil. Int.: Liberated Prisoner of War Interrogation Questionnaire 1945/6 / National Archives file WO344/84/2.
Linked Content below.
Commando Association Lost Legions List 4.
[Image] from the 5 troop No.2 Cdo. Gibraltar 1943 photo in gallery.
 

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