Louis Benedict Gunter, Binley Rd. Coventry.

[David Layne]

 Louis Benedict Gunter who's wartime address was Binley Rd. Coventry was a Squadron Leader who was piloting 619 Squadron Lancaster ME855 that was shot down on 12/13 Aug 44 on operation to Brunswick.

My father, Walter Layne and "Gus" Gunter served together on 1661 HCU and were prisoners together in Stalag Luft III.



Louis Gunter made this entry in my father's POW "Wartime Log."  The words written by Louis B. Gunter are from a poem by the Roman poet Gaius Valerius Catullus.  When translated from the Latin the words were most poignant for the prisoners of war. “Oh what is more blessed than when the mind, cares dispelled, puts down its burden and we return, tired from our travelling, to our home, to rest on the bed we have longed for?”



There are 50 prisoners named in my father's "Wartime Log."  I am attempting to find a wartime picture of each individual.  So far of the 50 I have 23 and am hopeful that through this sight I can find a wartime photograph and perhaps some more information on Louis Gunter.  My efforts so far can be seen here.  https://wallyswar.wordpress.com/other-pows/

Regards, David Layne

[warncoort]

Have you tried surnames interest board?

[David Layne]

I am not familiar with that.

[warncoort]

Bottom of the page.

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
Looks like Louis B Gunter was born in Coventry June 1916.
Parents Phillip J Gunter and Elsie B Hallessey married Sep 1913.
They had a daughter Nora C Dec 1914.
Phillip John Gunter died 12.10. 1953 age 72 in Coventry at 288 Binley Road ,wife Bridget Elsie still alive.She died Dec 1970.

Can't spot a death for Louis .And the only marriage is in Exmoor in Sep 1949 to a Helena M Joyce .Three possible children in the Oxfordshire area.

Nora seems to have married a Francis Aylward in 1947 at Westminster.
In 1950 they are living at 57 Vandon Court Petty France London and he is a scientist.I can see them there until 1965.

They do seem to get about.
Ciderdrinker

[David Layne]

Thanks ciderdrinker, I know Louis has died, don't know any more.

[David Layne]

Not a wartime picture but will suffice until one turns up.

[tbgunter]

Pleasant to stumble upon this page as Louis' grandson.

After being held hostage and made to walk with other prisoners for some weeks, Louis was rescued and returned to Oxford, where he took up where he had left off in 1939 at Morrell's brewery.  He worked there as head brewer until 1983.

Perhaps the attached photos will be of interest to others here.  There is also a photo of a full crew from 1942, however I suspect the personnel do not overlap with those of the final flight in 1944.

[tbgunter]

P.S. His first letter home: