Ernest Bates

[Mr-Tomcat]

Hi, someone posted a picture of a 214 Sqn badge, it would have originally belonged to my uncle who was a rear gunner. Ernest Bates came from Holyhead in Anglesey, and spent a good while in a POW camp. Can anyone advise where I can get information please.

Thank you. 

[bleckie]

Hi

You could try the link below


http://www.214squadron.org.uk/About.htm

Yours Aye
BruceL

[Mr-Tomcat]

Thank you Bruce, but I looked at that last night. I'll have to find out if he moved to another sqn at some point. 

[nanny jan]

Hi,

You could apply for his service record; helpful information from  millymcb:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=651361.0


Nanny Jan

[ADM199]

You could try for a copy of his Liberation Report which should be in WO 344/20/2 at Kew.

This will give much detail regarding Capture, D.O.B. Camps where he was held plus much more.

[t mo]

hi
in case you don,t have it heres some info regarding his pow record .
e bates , rank flight sgt  , service no 1030076 , camp type stalag luft 6 , location heydekrug  .
if you google search raf pow camp stalag luft 6 several sites give info including bbc memories project and look at this one especially as it gives details of camp 6 life ,[ pow camps 303rd bomb group ] .
hope this helps
trevor

[Mr-Tomcat]

Thank you I did actually find his service number last night, but wasn't able to go further. Thank you for the information and I will now do as you suggest. 

[ADM199]

The following is what I have on E.E. Bates from Official Air Force Documentation.

All R.A.F. N.C.Os were moved to Luft V1 in June 1943. As Russians approached just under 1000 were evacuated from Luft V1 to Luft IV (E E Bates 1030076 is listed on a German Nominal Roll for Luft 1V)

Luft 1V evacuated on foot Feb 1945 and dispersed to camps in Central and N/West Germany.
The bulk of R.A.F. (3061) were sent to St. 357 Fallingbostel, from where they were evacuated on foot yet again on 18/4/45. They were billeted in Villages near the Rabzenberger Lake.
Liberated on or about 2nd May 1945.

It is not unusual for the 1945 lists of POW to be well out of date. Come across this regularly.
With the best will in the World the I.R.C.C. couldn't keep up with the constant movement of POW.

Google or Wiki do not tell you this.

As said earlier the best place to look for a true picture is in a Liberation Report written by the man himself. WO 344/20/2

Brian