POWs

Post by **Jean Jeanie** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:20 pm

Heather

Something to be treasured, indeed.

You must be quite overwhelmed.

Best wishes
Jean

sheilajim · Post by **sheilajim** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:46 pm

Hi Heather

What an amazing find. I enjoyed reading it very much. I can imagine what you felt when you read it.

It gives you an insight into WW1 that you don't get elsewhere.

Regards

Sheila

Post by **SarahND** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:47 pm

Wow, Heather,
That is wonderful! Thanks for sharing it.
Regards,
Sarah

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:13 am

Thank you Heather for sharing this amazing document with us. What insight...and how brave your grandfather was in the face of it all. You must be extremely proud.

Thank you again,

Nina

StewL · Post by **StewL** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:32 am

Brilliant Heather

Just a pity I dont have any sodjers from WWI to search for that I know of, only that ellusive John Barton about a hundred years earlier

Good to see you got some useful information.

Post by **HeatherH** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:33 am

Thank you Jean, Sheilajim, Sarah and ninatoo.
I'm still really excited at finally seeing these documents but I admit the more I read them the more I see and understand of my Grandfathers life both during WW1 and after. Although he wouldn't discuss specifics of his time as a POW with his daughters( that was the way at the time) he did tell them some of the story about his 2 escapes.After reading this to Mum she told me she could recall he would have terrible nightmares where he would shout at the Germans in his sleep.
I will be forwarding a copy for Mum to read . She is really looking forward to seeing it.We are both very proud of what he endured and what he overcame.
All the best,
HeatherH

JustJean · Post by **JustJean** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:44 am

Hi Heather

That record not only exemplifies your grandad and what kind of person he was...but speaks for all men who served during that time. He's a true hero. You must be very proud and rightfully so. What a real treasure to unearth. Just think that's it's been lying there all these years just waiting to be discovered! Congratuations!

Best wishes
Jean

Rach · Post by **Rach** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:40 pm

What a wonderful insight into POW conditions and a great historical record for your family history. If it hadn't been for your interest in your family tree that information would probably have been unread forever or even eventually destroyed. I wonder how long these records will be kept?
My own father was a POW in WW2 and used to tell us stories but he always made light of what they went through. Conditions then would be slightly better than in WW1. One of the stories was that he was hit with the butt of a rifle. Dad said that the guard could have been severely reprimanded if he had been reported. When he realised what he had done the guard then became very contrite and Dad used it to get some extra rations out of him!
How I wish I had had the time to write down all the stories. Must get all the family together and piece together a few of them.
Rae

Post by **paddyscar** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:14 am

A man to be admired and thanked. Seems a very caring and gentle person.

Frances

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:46 am

Hi Heather,

I wrote the article in Practical Family History on Ruhleben civilian POW camp that you referred to - I'm glad the end piece was able to help you, and that you were able to find so much info!

Chris Paton

www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk
http://ruhleben.tripod.com