Escape and Evasion reports

[annsa]

Hi,

There might be a report filed in one of the WO208 or WO344 series. There is an card index to some of those in the National Archives, however, some of the latter series Liberation reports are as yet not fully indexed and so you may have to wade through quite a lot of files to find anything and that can take hours!!

It may well be worth while trying the National Archives of Australia as there might be a debriefing report held by them if they were taken to Australia.

Sorry to be a bit vague, but generally I have looked at European escapers/evaders/liberated servicemen and am not sure whether Far East ones are held in a different series. Brian may well be able to answer this one as he has looked at a lot more files than I have!!
Alternatively you could try searching PROCAT, the report, if there is one, should be in the WO series of files, or e mail the NA and see if anyone can point you in the right direction. You may well find something but not all the reports have survived intact with all their appendices and so you may only get minimal info.

Hope that helps a little bit.

All the best,

Ann

[themonsstar]

You could try a book called 'Singapore's Dunkirk' the aftermath of the fall of Singapore, by Geoffrey Brooke.Published by Leo Cooper in 2003, ISBN o-85052-971-9

The Book tells of some of the remarkable and shocking experiences that lay in store for those who chose this option. The only way out was by sea and every sort of craft was pressed into service. Ahead lay terrible dangers; storms, shipwreck, piracy,capture by a merciless enemy, starvation and death through lack of water to name but some.

The Book is written by one who did himself escape.

Geoffrey Brooke joined the RN as a Dartmouth cadet in 1934, he was serving in the battleship Prince of Wales when she was sunk by the Japs on 10 Dec 1941, He escaped from Singapore at the fall, only to be sunk again eventually making Ceylon in a Malay prauw after 37 days at sea. He later took part in the North African Landings.

The book is a very good read if you are looking for storys on the escapes from Singapore.

PM me I have a used copy of sale

[liverpool lass]

Thank you both. I did visit Kew but there was so much to go through! I was hoping for a pointer but I will try your suggestions Annsa (hadn't even considered Aussie archives! Doh!).

Themonsstar - I have seen this book and flipped through it. Fascinating but I didn't find the info I wanted. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[cassandra123]

My mothers brother was captured at the fall of Singapore, first sent to Changi and then onto the Burma Railway.

Came be a totally destroyed man. he was simply a bag of bones when I saw him come down the gangplank when they docked back in Liverpool.

[liverpool lass]

Well at least my dad avoided that. He had a fine time in Oz according to my mum!!

[ADM199]

Thanks for this Ann.

Interestingly, the first image of the TNA WO208/3313 - Escape/Evasion Reports: Code MI9/SPG: 1162-1293, dated 1943 lists Marine Sparks at the top of the list.

He was one of the original Cockleshell Heroes, the forerunner of the modern day SBS.
http://www.royalmarinesregimental.co.uk/histcockmain.html

Thudders

Hi,
   if you look at later releases you will find appendix B to that report. These were extracted from the original, but are now open. As you appear to have looked at the original you will know the files are indexed in reverse.
I have produced Catalogues by name of all the E & E Reports.

           Brian

[dorset901]

Dear Ann, can you tell me if there is such a list for WW 1?
Have a ancester who did just that.
Regards dorsetlad

[annsa]

Hi,

Not sure about WW1 records I suppose there might well have been E&E reports. Perhaps it's a question to pose on the WW1 board.

Regards,

Ann

[dorset901]

Trying to get into the GREAT WAR FORUM, but they seem a little cautious?
It is a little strange that I have not heard of any other first WW escapees, have looked on the Web, even asked the Army Museum, very strange, will post a question on the WW 1 boards.
Cheers Tim.