108 Overseas Prisoner Of War Camp

[RobEng]

I was researching a relative who was killed in WWII. He was in the 7th Devons but was attached to 108 Overseas Prisoner Of War Camp but can find no reference to it anywhere apart from on the military roll of the ship that he was a military guard on that was sunk (Arandora Star), killing him and many others.
Does anyone know anymore about 108 Overseas Prisoner Of War Camp?

[DaveHam9]

Hello RobEng,

It's not easy finding what number was assigned to each camp. Here is a list of the numbers for the camps in Canada:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_POW_camps_in_Canada

108 Thirkleby Thirkleby Thirsk North Riding of Yorkshire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_POW_camps_in_Britain

There was a large amount of renaming, renumbering & reuse of camp numbers in WWII. The reason for this is unknown but speculation has it that it was to confuse the Axis powers in the event of any attempted breakouts after any potential Paratrooper attack or invasion.

Regards,

Dave

[RobEng]

I've seen the Thirkleby one before which it may be but i'm also wondering whether 108 Overseas POW Camp was actually a formed military unit rather than an actual camp as the soldiers in it were from many different parent units from all over the UK.

[DaveHam9]

Hello RobEng,

You might be lucky with one of the UK-based members being able to answer that question.

I'd suggest you post, if you have not already done so, to a specialist WWII Military Forum.

Regards,

Dave

[RobEng]

I'm not signed up to one of those yet, do you know of any good ones?

[DaveHam9]

Hello RobEng,

Sorry, I've not used any so all I can do is search.

Again, there may be a UK-based member here who has used such forums.

I found this one and there will be others:

http://www.militaryforums.co.uk/forums.php

Regards,

Dave

[oznannie]

Hi Rob :)
Any chance you give us a name please?
I do know a lot of military boffins who may help.

All the best with your search.

ozn

[RobEng]

His name was Pte Owen Mitchell 7th Bn Devonshire Regt.
Any help would be appreciated :)

[oznannie]

Okies Rob
He died 2 July 1940, 200 guards also died as well as 682 people Italian prisoners.
Survivors were sent to Liverpool & transported here to Australia.
My English grandad worked on the ship when it was with the Blue Star Line and my Italian gt grandad had died before 1940.
The ship has a lot of significance to me and many more people born in Lpool.

Cya later

ozn

Pte Mitchell 5623901

[gibbo]

Hi,

The national archives in England have a file on a 108 Prisoner of war camp, maybe the one your looking for?

Record Summary
Scope and content 108 Prisoner of War Camp
Covering dates 1940 May
Held by The National Archives, Kew
Access conditions Open Immediately


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

.

[RobEng]

I saw that one as well on the National Archives site but i'm just wondering whether the 'Overseas' bit of the name of the unit he was with means a different one. I've got his military records on order, they may be able to tell me exactly.
I have all the Arandora Star docs from the National Archives pertaining to its use on this particular journey and the selection, or lack of, of those Internees & POWs on board.

[ronmanley]

Hi

I have just found this detail for you

108 Thirkleby Camp, Little Thirkleby, Yorkshire - standard camp
[SE 479 779 / 1; 2003 a pig farm]

Constructed 1943.
18 living huts.
1943 Commandant, Captain J.E.N.Scaife -
1944 change of Commandant to Lt.Col. T.McGreig.

Italian POWs 1943-44, then German POWs 1944-48.

Regards - Ron

[ronmanley]

Hi

This is your man

Name: Owen Mitchell
Given Initials: O
Rank: Private
Death Date: 2 Jul 1940
Number: 5623901
Birth Place: Devonshire
Residence: Devonshire
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: At sea
Regiment at Death: Devonshire Regiment
Branch at Death: Infantry

Regards - Ron

[ronmanley]

Hi

Owen is listed here, and also shows details of his parents, if you have not already got them.

http://www.devonheritage.org/Nonplace/DevonReg/DevRegWW2MemorialMtoO.htm

All the Best - Ron

[ronmanley]

I think you will find 108 Overseas Prisoner Of War Camp

Simple means Camp number 108 Housing Overseas Prisoners

Cheers -Ron