62nd Machine Gun Company

[Guest peterswain]

Hi

my Grandfather served in the 62nd Machine Gun Company nos. 59413. He was held as a prisoner of War at

Rennbahn, Munster 11 i. W Block 4 room 17 working party ko16. I have a photo of that working party.

What battles would he have been at and where would he have been taken prisoner. when would he have been released? I ahve a post card dated 18.91918 and he is still the camp.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

[sotonmate]

Peter

I think that 62 MGC relates to the number of it's Brigade (also 62) and part of 21 Division. See about it's activity by clicking on The Long Long trail at top left of this pageand then click on search on the right of the next page,and on the next page enter 21 Division in the search box. When you scroll down the page that will then give you the make up of 62 Brigade,one of the units being 62MGC. You can then read which actions the Brigade was in and the dates.

Also if you want to read about POWs it's in The Long Long Trail as well,first column half way down.

Best wishes

Sotomate

[armourersergeant]

I have the War diary for 62nd Brigade, 21st Division.

The 62nd Brigade Machine Gun Company joined on 4 March 1916, moved into 21 MG Bn 24 February 1919. So that would give you some dates to work within.

As for prisioners status it could obviously have been at any time depending on circumstances that he was taken prisioner, though I would have put my guess on the easy one of March 1918, solely because it was when the Germans over ran Britsh positions etc. However by this time the unit had been merged into 21st batt MGC and not sure if they kept the same designation!

Not sure either that you will get much info from the war diary as it tends only to mention officers etc. Though there may be a mention of some men being captured in a trench raid or some such.

To look through the war diary from these dates would take a large amount of time. If you were able to narrow down the dates a bit I could have a go at some time, you have just missed my holiday week, back to work tomorrow!

I would be interested in the photoas and post cards you have if you could scan them as would others on this forum and I run a site in dedication to 21st division, so I would be interested in nayhting you find out about his career. I have a fighting soldiers section.

If I can be of further help let me know

regards

Arm