Warney Posted 10 May , 2007 Share Posted 10 May , 2007 I've been researching my grandfathers war record for some time, thanks to this site I came accross details of ICRC. From this I found out my Grandfather was intered at various stages in the following camps during the closing stages of the war: Limburg I Münster I/W Dülmen I would like to find out a bit more about the camps particularly I Münster I/W as a Google search and on this list didn't provide much information. It is from Münster that I believe my grandfather escaped. Kind regards Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Johnson Posted 11 May , 2007 Share Posted 11 May , 2007 Nick, Limburg was a camp often used as the first place of registration for PoWs working behind the lines and he may not actually have entered the camp before being moved on. I Munster iW is most likely the camp normally called Munster I in Westphalia (not to be confused with Munsterlager which was in Hannover). This was a purpose built camp outside the town. (Munster II was the racecourse, Rennbahn and Munster III was formerly a German military camp. Munster IV was apparently reserved for non European troops). Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaymen Posted 11 May , 2007 Share Posted 11 May , 2007 See Glyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warney Posted 12 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 12 May , 2007 Thanks Doug & Glyn, I had picked up one of the Limburg links but not the other. My grandfather escaped from a POW camp, I'm guessing it was Munster - he used the sewer system to evade capture and surfaced in the Netherlands. Just a point I noticed was that Kemmel (where he was captured) Limburg, Dulmen and Munster are virtually in a straight line on the map - I am wondering if this would have coincided with one of the supply lines (possibly rail) I know Munster / Dulmen are part of the heavily industrialised Ruhr valley where much of the supplies would have come from. Kind regards Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Johnson Posted 12 May , 2007 Share Posted 12 May , 2007 Nick, A couple of links for Dulmen http://www.thorngent.eclipse.co.uk/pow/chap6.htm http://heimatblaetter.heimatverein-duelmen...1918/index.html A view of Limburg Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warney Posted 13 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 13 May , 2007 Thanks Doug, The information was very helpfull, I realised one of the documents I have a copy of, which I thought was a postcard he sent back home was in fact his ID tag whilst he was a POW. Like so many my Grandfather refused to talk about his tme in WW1 - it was only occasionally odd snippets would come out. Cheers Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanTB Posted 14 May , 2007 Share Posted 14 May , 2007 I have my Grandfather's diary in which he gives details of his time as a prisoner in Dulmen & Limberg. He was, at this time, in the 2/5 N Staffs. 21 Mar 1918 - Bullecourt Sector. Captured at about 10.00 and marched under artillery fire to the Gerrman lines. About 600 prisoners were marched through a series of 'cages' and were given bread and 'fishy soup' to eat, using their helmets to eat and drink from. Marched to Valencarines then entrained for Dulmen on 25 March with 46 in the truck. Detrained at Haltern and marched to Dulmen and registered on 27 March. Entrained for Limburg on 17 April, arriving 18 April. Entrained for farm work 28 April to Heinsburg and worked at Aphoven and Ladfeld, about 3 miles from Holland. There were 3 British and 26 Russians. Left this Lager on 9 July for Oberbruck and worked in a Silk factory. About 100 prisoners here, 24 British, a couple of French and mainly Russian and Italian. Remained here until 9 November 1918. It seems that apart from occasional bread and water on the marches they were quite well looked after in the camps and well looked after on the farms. Dulmen ID - 53176 barrack 23B, group 3 Stammlager Limburg no 107921 Private Thomas Busby, 6726 1st North Staffs ,July 1914, later 2/5 North Staffs from Aug 1917. Alan Busby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warney Posted 12 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 12 November , 2008 Thanks Alan for the account, I'm sorry I haven't been on site for a while. The account of the camps is remarkably similar to my grandfathers, I know he wasn't treat too well - he had a broken nose and was mistaken for a Jew, he was beaten as result, it shows how deep anti semetisim was amongst German rank & file. I'm wondering if it was whilst doing field work that he escaped? I know he escaped thro Holland, using the sewers by day, and using the stars to navigate at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Good Old Chook Posted 17 July , 2009 Share Posted 17 July , 2009 My great uncle was a POW in Parchim and I have a copy of his diary. He was taken prisoner at Kemmel Hill 25.04.1918 however interestingly in his diary he mentions 06.06.1918 "Sgt Major escapes" just wondering if the dates tie up, as there are a few similarities? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dplimmer Posted 30 August , 2014 Share Posted 30 August , 2014 I am researching my husband's paternal grandfather's WW1 experience. Pte. Benjamin Harry Plimmer (1897-1977) enlisted in the Manchester Regiment on 9 Dec 1915 according to his Army Service Record. He went to France with his regiment & was reported "missing in field" on 30 July 1916 & reported as POW on 6 August 1916. I found his name on the International Red Cross lists stating that he was captured at Guillemont on 30 August 1916, unwounded, & sent to Dulmen POW camp. The ICRC list also states that he was a member of the 18th Manchesters Artillery & his service number was 32441. Can I assume that the discrepancy in dates as a POW is due to clerical error on part of the ICRC? I also have a couple of photo postcards of Harry sent by him home from POW camp. The postmark says "Fredericksfeld" so does this mean he was transferred from Dulmen to Fredericksfeld? Or was Fredericksfeld just the place where POW mail was sent from? What kind of work would Harry have done in Dulmen or Fredericksfeld? He was a warehouseman prior to enlisting. Where would I find any records of his transfer from Dulmen to Fredericksfeld, if he were transferred? Any help appreciated. Thanks. D.L. Plimmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8055Bell Posted 31 August , 2014 Share Posted 31 August , 2014 Simply wonderful pics dplimmer. The 18th Bttn and 2nd RSF led the attack on Guillemont on 30th July and few returned. CSM George Evans of 18th Bttn awarded VC for the action. The Brigade was away from the front a month later, so ICRC records have the wrong month. Suggest you join http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php To find out more. Please share the photos again and I suspect you'll find out more... Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8055Bell Posted 31 August , 2014 Share Posted 31 August , 2014 Simply wonderful pics dplimmer. The 18th Bttn and 2nd RSF led the attack on Guillemont on 30th July and few returned. CSM George Evans of 18th Bttn awarded VC for the action. The Brigade was away from the front a month later, so ICRC records have the wrong month. Suggest you join http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php To find out more. Please share the photos again and I suspect you'll find out more... Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandy Eccles Posted 23 September , 2014 Share Posted 23 September , 2014 Dplimmer my grandfather Sidney Carter was in the 18 Manchester Regiment,captured at Guillemont and went first To Dulmen then to 6 other camps between then and the end of war. I have his notes and photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8055Bell Posted 14 October , 2014 Share Posted 14 October , 2014 Mandy, We'd all love to see the pics and notes... Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now