Monthly Archives: December 2015

The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers K–M

1 Reply

alphabetical-list-sm-r72

In 2013, researcher Brian Sims gave me access to his photographs of the complete contents of a booklet entitled Italy: Imperial Prisoners of War Alphabetical List, Section 1, British Army, which is archived at the British National Archives.

The Alphabetical List contains the names of thousands of British prisoners of war interned in Italian camps, apparently compiled in 1942 or the spring of 1943.

This post contains Alphabetical List soldiers K–M who were documented as P.G. 59 internees.

See also “The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers A–B,” “The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers C–F,” and “The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers G–J.”

A key to acronyms and abbreviations follows the list.

Page 72
Kaye, J. R. – Tpr. – 7885909 – R.A.C. – R.O. No.3
Keddie, D. J. T. – Cpl. – T/192321 – R.A.S.C. – R.O. No. 29
Kelly, J. P. – Cpl. – 552447 – R.A.S.C. – R.O. No. 3
Kelly, T. – Tpr. – 7904262 – R.A.C. – R.O. No. 3
Kempton, W. G. – Pte. – 5512026 – Hamp. – R.O. No. 23

Page 73
Kilby, V. Pte. – 7519659 – R.A.M.C. – R.O. No. 30
Killeen, C. – Pte. – 6012148 – Essex – R.O. No. 21
Kimpson, L. W. – Tpr. – 7885915 – R.A.C. – R.O. No. 3
King, A. G. – Gnr. – 1678811 – R.A. – R.O. No. 6
King, M. I. – Pte. – 2754828 – Bk. Watch – R.O. No. 16

Page 74
Kinsey, R. – Fus. – 14209862 – Innis. F. – R.O. No. 17
Kirby, J. – Drv. – T/121147 – R.A.S.C. – R.O. No. 29
Kirkland, R. – Tpr. – 7935537 – R.A.C. – R.O. No.3
Kitchener, A. E. – Gnr. – 1503096 – R.A. – R.O. No. 5
Knapman, P. A. – Tpr. – 7897305 – R.A.C. – R.O. No. 3
Knibbs, H. G. – Tpr. – 7912314 – R.A.C. – R.O. No. 3
Knowles, J. – Gdsm. – 2659152 – C.G. – R.O. No. 12

Continue reading →

Escaped Prisoner Sheltered in Petritoli

Leave a reply

elvira-lucci-r72
Roberto Lucci’s grandmother, Elvira Lucci (center), was 19 years old when her father sheltered a prison camp escapee in their home.

Roberto Lucci is an Italian who is attempting to find the family of an escaped prisoner who was sheltered by his great-grandfather in 1943–44.

Given the close proximity of his family’s village, Petritoli, to Servigliano, Roberto believes the POW likely escaped from P.G. 59.

Roberto wrote (translated here into English from Italian), “I’m a young man from Petritoli, a village 15km from Servigliano.

“I have started to ask some of the elders who have fragmentary recollections of this man [for help]. I know that William and David are the first or last names.”

Roberto explained that the man’s last name might have been something similar to David—such as Davidson, Davison, Davis, or Davies.

Continue reading →

Charles Simmons’ Recovered Bowling Ring

Leave a reply

simmons-article-r72

I received a note early this month from Katy Bochetto, who wrote, “My grandfather was Charles K. Simmons.

“My Aunt, Trish Harper, submitted copies of the address book and calendar he kept while a POW.” See “Charles Simmons’ Calendar and Address Book” and “Charles Simmons’ 1943 Calendar.”

Katy’s mother, Margaret Simmons, was Charles’ oldest daughter.

In her note, Katy told me about Charles’ gold “300 game” bowling ring that was confiscated by Italians after his capture, but was later surprisingly returned to Charles.

In a follow-up email I received today, Katy said, “The family was together for Christmas and more information was found about my grandfather—specifically the story I was telling you about his bowling ring!”

Continue reading →

A Small, Unexpected Gift

Leave a reply

wilcher-dogtag_r72

Edwin A. Wilcher’s dog tag, missing for over 70 years in Italy, which was returned to Edwin’s family in November

rinaldo-luigia-r72

Chiara Allevi’s grandfather Rinaldo and grandmother Luigia assisted Edwin Wilcher after his escape from P.G. 59 in 1943

In May 2009, I received a note from John Garner, who lives in Temple, Georgia.

John wrote, “My great grandfather by the name of Edwin Attaway Wilcher was a POW at camp CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13. Have you ever heard anything about him? His number I believe was 34352271 and he was captured December 29, 1943. Thanks for any help that you may provide.”

John explained in a follow-up note that Edwin was born in Georgia on September 27, 1912. He was a private in the U.S. army and he served as an infantrymen after reporting for duty on March 10, 1943. He served in the North African Theatre—in Tunisia.

I wasn’t able to help John at the time.

Then last April I received a note from Chiara Allevi, an Italian woman.

Chiara explained, “Sorry for my poor English…. My uncle found a military plate named EDWIN A. WILCHER (34352271) Augusta Georgia, on my grandmother’s hamlet “AGORE” near ASCOLI PICENO town.

“My grandmother told us that Mr. Wilcher was hiding in a cave in the mountains near her hamlet together other American soldiers.

“She and other villagers brought food to them.”

Continue reading →

Cameron Highlander J. Drum

Leave a reply

j-drum-r72

Pte. J. Drum

I received a note last month from Del MacPhail, whose grandfather was captured in North Africa in 1940.

J. Drum was interned in P.G. 59 for a time. He is listed in “The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers C–F.”

Del wrote, “I have recently came across your site and would like to thank you for creating it. My Granda was a POW in this camp. He was transferred out of this camp and moved to Poland near the German border.

“Attached is a photo of him. That is an Australian’s hat he is wearing—his mate’s hat. He was a Cameron Highlander.

“He didn’t ever say anything about the war at all. So all I have are his records. My Granda passed away October 1989.

“He married Mary after the war, had five children—three boys and two girls—and 10 grandchildren. He was a scaffolder after the war, he just never spoke about it ever. I think it was too hard for him.”