Post by htbrst on Apr 23, 2012 19:21:42 GMT 12
Given ANZAC day is approaching I thought it would be appropriate to post this photograph from my late Grandfathers collection - and see if anyone is able to fill in some of the blanks. It is a photo taken by the German Guards of a group of New Zealanders in Stalag Luft III on ANZAC day 1944 - the site of the Great Escape one month prior.
Back Row: Curley Rayment, Unknown, Snowy Wattnal, Bill Hickson, Bill Harden, Tom Pearce, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown.
Front Row: Whiting, Lamont, Neil Svensen, Noakes, John Rae, Hec Jamieson, Garlick, Unknown.
My grandfather,William (Bill) Hickson, is in the back row 4th from the left. He was shot down 21/22 June 1943 flying a Halifax in 35 Squadron - part of the pathfinder force. He spent several weeks with the Dutch underground before he and a few others were betrayed by a dutch traitor.
To his immediate right is his future brother-in-law Bill Harden, who was unfortunate enough to be travelling to England on the Rangitane which was sunk in 1940 by German raiders off the coast of NZ. While most passengers were left behind on an island - Being RNZAF, Bill was one of the few taken all the way back to Germany.
Not long before my Grandfather died he tried to put names to faces that I have included above. If anybody recognises some of the 'unknowns', or if you know a good place to get some leads on their identities feel free to sing out so we can complete the list
Thanks everyone !
Back Row: Curley Rayment, Unknown, Snowy Wattnal, Bill Hickson, Bill Harden, Tom Pearce, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown.
Front Row: Whiting, Lamont, Neil Svensen, Noakes, John Rae, Hec Jamieson, Garlick, Unknown.
My grandfather,William (Bill) Hickson, is in the back row 4th from the left. He was shot down 21/22 June 1943 flying a Halifax in 35 Squadron - part of the pathfinder force. He spent several weeks with the Dutch underground before he and a few others were betrayed by a dutch traitor.
To his immediate right is his future brother-in-law Bill Harden, who was unfortunate enough to be travelling to England on the Rangitane which was sunk in 1940 by German raiders off the coast of NZ. While most passengers were left behind on an island - Being RNZAF, Bill was one of the few taken all the way back to Germany.
Not long before my Grandfather died he tried to put names to faces that I have included above. If anybody recognises some of the 'unknowns', or if you know a good place to get some leads on their identities feel free to sing out so we can complete the list
Thanks everyone !
