Civilian Prisoners of War

[KGarrad]

Does anyone know where I could find information about civilian Prisoners of War in WW2?

I am particularly interested in a PoW held in Ilag A/H in Tost, Upper Silesia.
By name - Richard (Dick) Barrow.

[DeeBoneham]

The ADM199 series of records at the National Archives hold a lot of POW records but because of the glut of returnees at the end of the war I am not sure if they all did them.  Its worth looking at the NA site although even better going down there if you can.  Fascinating place!
Dee

[KGarrad]

Thanks, Dee.

Unfortunately, Kew is a long way from the Isle of Man - and very expensive to get to!!

Looking at the Research Guides, it appears that TNA has information on:
    Stalag (Stammlager) – in most cases, a camp for NCOs and enlisted men
    Oflag (Offizierlager) – a camp for officers only
    Stalag Luft (Stammlager Luftwaffe) – a camp for Air Force officers administered by the Luftwaffe
    Dulag (Durchgangslager) – a transit camp where captured aircrew were processed and interrogated before being sent to a permanent camp

But absolutely nothing on Ilag (Civilian) camps?!

Then again, I find TNA almost impossible to get any results from!

[ScouseBoy]

Who was his employer?

Was he a merchant seaman  or a technician?

Was he attached to the BEF in France in early 1940?

[KGarrad]

Definitely Merchant Navy, and no links with BEF (he was in his 60's!).

His rating was AB QM;  Dis. A NO. 777938.

His CR1 (Copy) card notes "Prisoner of War 29-12-41"
On the reverse is a stamp 15-Feb-1924, and the ship named Orbita.


To date I have no other information on his Merchant Navy career.

The fact that he was interned in an Ilag (Internierungslager) shows he was considered a civilian.
Ilag Tost closed in March 1941, apparently?
Ilag VIII was in effect from March 41 to June 42.
Ilag VIII/H was in effect from June 42 to November 43.

[ScouseBoy]

Next time you visit Liverpool,  I suggest that you pop in to the Maritime Museum at Albert Dock. They do have a Records Office or Archive/Library,  But it is only open certain hours or days I think, So check in advance the opening hours.

You could try researching  details about the ships  capture or "demise" in their records.

Alternatively,  There is a website on ships and convoys and Ports  during WW2.

I cannot remember the web site name (but look on the Merchant Navy or Royal Navy section on Roots  and someone will probably have mentioned it before)

You may find out more information about the ship.   

[KGarrad]

This morning I found a website www.milag.org - Merchant Navy Prisoners of War Association.

I have emailed the President, and he is going to put me in touch with someone who "is heavily into Tost" records.

Hoping something can come from that!

[KGarrad]

Progress!

Dick Barrow was on the SS Scientist, when it was attacked, and sunk, off the coast of West Africa on 2nd May 1940.
He arrived at ILAG VIII in Tost, Upper Silesia on 1st April 1941.
He was repatriated on 16th October 1943, initially at Rostock, then to Trelborg, Sweden.

So I would definitely recommend the Merchant Navy PoW Association!

[seaweed]

This may be of help
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10814843
I appreciate Kew is a distance from the IOM but I would ask if any rootschater could do a look up for you if they are visiting Kew. It would be a straightforward task to obtain this file. Also there are professional researchers who charge a modest fee. If you wish to find out details PM me.