Was Gerard Laing a POW?

[Richard Knott]

When Gerard Laing married in May 1946 he listed his occupation as ham curer (driver, Royal Army Service Corps).

The Forces War Records site has an entry for a G T Laing, a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps, who was in Stalag XXb (Marienburg) in 1945.

Gerard Laing's birth entry (1920 Glasgow) lists him as just Gerard, but his mother's maiden name was Trayner, so the T might stand for that.

What is the easiest way to establish whether these two people are the same: it seems unlikely that two drivers from the RASC would be called Gerard Laing.

(His POW number was 6387 and his service number was 121276).

Richard

[Drew5233]

I would not trust anything on Forces War website, let alone pay for anything. The quick way is to see if he completed a PoW Liberation Questionnaire at the end of the war. They are at the National Archives in London but only around 40% to 50% of PoWs completed them. The 100% accurate way is to apply for a copy of his service records from the MoD.

[CaroleW]

Some info here about applying for a copy of WW2 records

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=651361.0

[Richard Knott]

OK; thanks. I thought that was probably the only way forward.

R

[totemtwo]

Hi.  Find attached the POW capture list. G Laing is lower left hand side.
Admitted to Stalag XXB.

Anyone wanting capture details, I have the complete list for Europe WW2
Regards. tomtomtwo

[Richard Knott]

Welcome to Rootschat; and thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately nothing seems to be attached.

Richard

[totemtwo]

Sorry Richard. Upon checking, the file was too big, it was the page that contained capture details, I think you may have them anyway. Regards. Keith.

[totemtwo]

Hi. I clipped the page, so the file should come through.
Regards. K