William Smith Prisoner of War WW2

[Ellenmai]

I had hoped to find some information on Fold 3 as it is Free this weekend, but not having much luck. Please could I ask for help in finding information for William Smith he was a Private in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. I have found two newspaper articles stating William had been reported to be a prisoner of war. The first article dated 27/6/1940 states William's wife Lily had been officially notified Fusilier Private William Smith who had been serving in Norway was missing since 26/5/1940. The second article dated 12/9/1940 states Fusilier Private William Smith of 5 Jubilee Terrace Conway is reported to be a Prisoner of War in Germany. He was in C Company 6th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
William's father Thomas Smith died 26/6/1943 & in his Obituary it mentions his son is a prisoner of war. I would be most grateful for any help in finding William's records.

[greenrig]

Please check DoB to confirm we have the right man...  Smith is a hard name

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C17825774

[Ellenmai]

Thank you so much Greenrig for searching, it's indeed a needle in a haystack with that name & I have spent many hours looking. On William's Death Certificate it states DOB 12/6/1904, so only 1 month out. My guess is it's the right one you have found. Conway was only a small town at that time, I doubt there was another William Smith with that year of birth & also born on the 12th, in a German prisoner of war camp. Can you suggest the best place to look for information on Stalag V111B Lamsdorf. Thanks again it is very much appreciated.

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
Find My past may have something.
William Smith 171/2 years  4178647 Royal Welsh Fusiliers Conway Carnarvan Signed up 12.7.1920 apprentice gardener  next of kin Mother Mary Ann Smith Noddfa Banger Road Conway
Transferred RAMC 2nd Jan 1944 Docs ? Hammersmith 19 June 1944

Despite this he seems to be on the 1921 census with his parents.I do wonder if the document was a year out and actually he signed up 13.7.1921 but it definitely says 1920.
The document itself is just 2pages.Not the usual enlistment record which I'm guessing is on it's way from the MOD to ancestry


Ciderdrinker

[Ellenmai]

Thanks Ciderdrinker I had found that record but it has a different Reg Number to the Prisoner of War record, it is him though, perhaps he joined up twice. It seemed to be a thing the young men in my family did at that time, as William's brother Thomas joined up age 15 years & told them he was 19. He served in France for many months until he was spotted by another soldier from Conwy his home town. He was sent home immediately. Thanks again for the time you have spent looking.

[greenrig]

You'll find more on Stalag VIIIB here :
 https://www.prisonersofwarmuseum.com/camps/stalag-viiib-344-lamsdorf/

[Ellenmai]

Thanks very much for the very interesting link greenrig