Stalag IV-C (4C), Wistritz Sudetenland

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ALEXANDER, Charles Henry

Trooper
14241760
No 1 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Leicester City Police
Charles Alexander was a Melton Mowbray Police Constable residing in 1939 at 7 The Cresent, Melton Mowbray. He volunteered for the commandos enlisting 19 July 1942 joining the 2nd Police Intake to the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry.

ARMSTRONG, Robert

Private
3452445
No 3 Commando
Durham Light Infantry
Robert Armstrong from Durham enlisted 1 December 1939, civil occupation Coal Miner. Private Armstrong, No.3 Commando, was reported missing 14 July 1943 during operations at Agnone, Sicily, and the Bridge at Malati (3 Commando Bridge), later confirmed a prisoner of war.

ATKIN, Ernest

Lance Corporal
7896888
No 7 Commando
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Ernest Atkin enlisted 27 August 1939, civil occupation Labourer. He later volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.7 Commando. Embarked for operations in the Middle East with Layforce.

BARBOUR, Alexander Ewing

Private
5956234
No 7 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Alexander Ewing Barbour from Uddingston enlisted 24 June 1940, formerly employed as a Brickworker. Private Barbour was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources

BATEMAN, Sidney Gordon

Bombardier
930701
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Sidney Bateman, a Covent Garden Wholesale Salesman from London, enlisted 18 December 1939. Volunteered in 1940 for the commandos and attached to No.7 Commando. Embarked with Layforce for operations in the Middle East.

BOWEN, Alfred Leighton

Alfred Leighton Bowen
Trooper
318358
52ME Commando
'Layforce'
North Somerset Yeomanry
1938 joined the North Somerset Yeomanry rank Trooper. 
20 February 1940 arrive in Palestine with his Regiment.
March 1940 injury to knee from horse kick.
August 1940 posted to Air Defence Operations Room at Haifa *.

BOYD, John McMaster

Fusilier
6980161
No 4 Commando
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
John McMaster Boyd, a Labourer from Ballymena, Co. Antrim, enlisted 29 December 1938. After volunteering for the commandos he was attached to No.4 Commando. Fusilier Boyd was reported wounded and missing 19 August 1942 during operations at Dieppe, France, later found to be a prisoner of war.

CANNON, Peter Macdermack

Gunner
919866
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner Peter Cannon was reported missing believed a prisoner of war on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete.  Later imprisoned at Stalag 4C in the Sudetenland.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.

CASTELLANO, Francisco

Private
6100507
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Francisco Castellano, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources

CAUDELL, Raymond Douglas

Lance Corporal
140951
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Army Service Corps

Lance Corporal Raymond Caudell from Hertfordshire was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28, WO417/30, and WO417/95.

CHAPMAN, Charles

Charles Chapman 7 Commando
Private
3658109
No 7 Commando
South Lancashire Regiment
Private Charles Chapman was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Member of the Commando Association last known residing Ancoats, Manchester.
 
Sources

COLGROVE, Frederick

Private
5953029
No 7 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Private Fred Colgrove was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association residing in Dalston, London E8.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/34.

COWIE, Aikman Duncan

Gunner
884272
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Bombardier Aikman Cowie was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.

CRAPNELL, John James

Lance Corporal
5823141
No 6 Commando
Suffolk Regiment

Lance Corporal John Crapnell was reported missing during operations in North Africa on 26 February 1943 (Battle for Steamroller Farm) later found to be a prisoner of war.

DRIVER, John

Fusilier
14241662
No 3 Commando
Lancashire Fusiliers
Preston Borough Police
Fusilier John Driver, No.3 Commando, was reported missing 14 July 1943 during operations at Agnone, Sicily, and the Bridge at Malati (3 Commando bridge), later confimred prisoner of war.

DUNK, Leonard

Fusilier
3449378
No 7 Commando
Lancashire Fusiliers
Fusilier Leonard Dunk was reported missing 20 April 1941 (Bardia raid) during operations at Cyrenaica, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/24, WO417/28 and WO417/95.

ETHELSTONE, Harry

Private
5670462
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
Somerset Light Infantry

Private Harry Ethelstone was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Originally shown on Casualty Lists as No.7 Commando attached 'A Bn., Layforce this was amended to No.8 Commando attached 'A' Bn., Layforce.

FAJARDO, Joaquin

Private
6100512
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Joaquin Fajardo, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C. Liberated in 1945.

FLEETWOOD, Leonard

Private
5727759
No 7 Commando
Dorsetshire Regiment
Private Leonard Fleetwood from Bristol was captured 1 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Enlisted 19 September 1939 formerly employed in Tannery.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27.

FRAILI, G.T.

Private
6100513
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Fraili, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists  / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/34.

FRANCO, T.

Private
6100511
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Franco, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists  / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/34.

FRY, William Charles

Private
14241823
No 3 Commando
Gloucestershire Regiment
Bristol Police Gloucestershire
Private William Fry was reported missing 14 July 1943, later found to be a prisoner of war,  during operations at Agnone, Sicily, and the Bridge at Malati (3 Commando Bridge). 

GORNALL, James

Gunner
3856286
No 11 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Artillery
Military Medal (MM)
Gunner James Gornall, 3 troop, was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field [1]. He took part in Operation Exporter at Litani River and was captured after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ.

GRAHAM, James

Lance Corporal
6981125
No 7 Commando
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Lance Corporal James Graham was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

HAYWARD, Arthur, N.

Lance Corporal
5567812
No 7 Commando
Wiltshire Regiment
Lance Corporal Arthur Hayward was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/94.

HERAS, Braulio

Braulio Heras
Private
13808248
6100520
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Pioneer Corps
Queen's Royal Regiment
Died on war service
Private Bravlio Heras, a Spanish volunteer in 50 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn., Layforce), died whilst a prisoner of war having been captured during operations in Crete on 2 June 1941. He is believed to have been killed by Russian fire at Stalag 4C and has no known grave.
 

HERD, James

Sapper
1986469
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Sapper James Herd was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28 and WO417/32.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11 and WO392/1.

HIDALGO, Joseph

Private
6100557
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Joseph Hidalgo, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists  / National Archives files WO417/28, WO417/34, and WO417/95.

HIGGIN, Arthur

Private
4126259
'Layforce'
Cheshire Regiment

Private Arthur Higgin, HQ Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

HOLBROOK, Alfred

Private Alfred Holbrook
Private
815569
No 7 Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Artillery
Private Alfred Holbrook was attested into the Royal Artillery in 1930 before transferring to the Royal Army Medical Corps on 29 September 1934 [1]

JEFFS, Arthur Bertram

Private
5504715
No 7 Commando
Hampshire Regiment
Private Arthur Jeffs was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to have been taken prisoner the previous day. Enlisted 17 March 1940. Resided St. Johns Way, London N19. Civil employment - Machine Ruler, Printing Trade.
 

JONES, Glyn Watkar

Gunner
1545477
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner Glyn Jones was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.

KING, Thomas, J.

Private
5191561
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Gloucestershire Regiment

Served: No.4 Commando; 3 Special Service Battalion; No.7 Commando; 'A' Bn., Layforce. 
Private Thomas King was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 

LAMBERT, Joseph

Fusilier
3714345
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Lancashire Fusiliers
Fusilier Joseph Lambert from Wesham near Preston was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war having been captured the previous day. Enlisted 12 March 1940, civil occupation - Hotel Worker. Post war member of the Commando Association.

LILLEY, Harold

Gunner
950256
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Artillery
Harold Lilley from Hull, East Yorkshire, enlisted 16 October 1939, civil occupation - Fish Worker. Volunteered for the Commandos. Attached No.7 Commando 24 August 1940.

LUMBRERA, Francisco

Francesco Lumbrera 50ME Commando
Private
ME/13808250
6100524
'Layforce'
50ME Commando
Pioneer Corps
Queen's Royal Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Francisco Lumbrera*, 50 Middle East Commando, and from Spain, died whilst a prisoner of war having been captured during operations in Crete in 1941. He has no known grave. Believed killed by Russian fire at Stalag 4C Wistritz bei Teplitz,Germany. 
 

MacPHEE, John Peter

Lance Corporal
3311343
52ME Commando
Highland Light Infantry 2nd Bn.
Lance Corporal John MacPhee was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

MATHER, James Henry

Pte James Mather 50ME Commando
Private
3960750
50ME Commando
Welch Regiment
Died on war service
Private James Mather was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete and later found to be a prisoner of war [1]. He had been imprisoned at Stalag 4C, a prisoner of war camp at Wistritz bei Teplitz, Sudetenland ( part of former Czechoslovakia) [2a].

MCGEACHY, E.

Rifleman
3245800
No 7 Commando
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Rifleman McGeachy was reported missing during operations at Crete on 2 June 1941 and later found to be a prisoner of war at Stalag 4C. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War Lists / National Archives file WO3921/1.

MCMURTRIE, William Vass

Gunner
906239
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner William McMurtrie was reported missing believed a prisoner of war on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete.  Later imprisoned at Stalag 4C in the Sudetenland.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.

MEADLEY, George Albert

Sapper
1888651
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Sapper George Meadley from Hartlepool was captured during operations in Crete. 
Timeline
29.03.1940, enlisted Royal Engineers.Trade on enlistment - Painter/Decorator.
11.11.1940, attached 3 Special Service Battalion.

MILLS, Charles Ernest

Private
5827821
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Suffolk Regiment

Charles Ernest Mills, a Miller and Millwright from Suffolk, enlisted 15 January 1940. Private Mills later volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.7 Commando embarking with them for the Middle East.

ROUGH, Thomas

Private
4861701
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment
Private Thomas Rough, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.

SALISBURY, Frank

Private
14241695
No 6 Commando
King's Own Scottish Borderers
Cheshire Constabulary
Private Frank Salisbury was reported missing 26 February 1943 in North Africa (Battle of Steamroller Farm, El Arousa, Tunisia), later found to be a prisoner of war [1][2][3].

SCALLY, Augustine

Private
3964285
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Private Augustine Scally from Wigan was reported wounded and missing on 6 December 1942 during operations in North Africa, later found to have been captured on the 2nd December. Enlisted 16 October 1939, former trade - French Polisher.
Prison Camps

SCHOFIELD, Harry Vane

Trooper
323263
'Layforce'
Stafford Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
Trooper Harry Schofield, 'D' Battalion of Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association from Scarborough.
 
Sources

SIMPSON, Sydney

Private
4036306
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Private Sydney Simpson from Stoke on Trent was reported missing 6 December 1942 during operations at Tunisia (Operation Bizerte), later found to be a prisoner of war since 2 December 1942. Enlisted 17 January 1940. Former trade - Potter.
 
Sources

SMITH, Ernest William

Lance Bombardier
909986
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Lance Bombardier Ernest Smith was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/33.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/1.

THOMPSON, Alfred

Private
3771992
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
King's Liverpool

Alfred Thompson, a Painter from Liverpool, enlisted on 27 October 1938. Private Thompson volunteered for the Commandos in 1940 and was attached to No.7 Commando embarking with them for the Middle East as part of Layforce.

VARNEY, Frank Ernest

Frank Varney 11 Commando
Lance Corporal
4977399
No 11 Commando
'Layforce'
Sherwood Forresters

Lance Corporal Frank Varney, 10 Troop, was reported missing on 24 November 1941 after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ in Libya, and later found to be a prisoner of war.

WALSH, Percy John

Bombardier
786833
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Bombardier Percy Walsh was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/34.

WHALEY, James Arundel

Corporal
5950224
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Marines
James Arundel Whaley enlisted in 1939, civil occupation Electricity Meter Reader. In 1940 he volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.7 Commando embarking with them for the Middle East as part of Layforce.

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