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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
1/28/2008 7:13:07 PM | I was wondering how I could go about trying to find a British soldier who was imprisoned with my father in Stalig Luft III? Of course I realize he may not still be alive.. Does anyone have have any suggestions?
In the back of my Dad's POW journal over 62 men signed his journal or wrote poems and or drew pictures. One of them was:
Reginald W. Jayce
A.G. Royal Air Force
Stalag Luft III
Sagan, Deutschland
He wrote an inspiring note in Dad's journal. He also said his hometown was "Walthamstow". I hope I have spelled it right as the writing is very faded which is why I have been typing everything I can into his memoirs. There are many other English soldiers as well as soldiers from other countries who signed the journal and it is something special to me each time I read it.
Jackie
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Paul Bellamy
1/28/2008 7:33:14 PM | I've a few contacts who may be able to help, both in the RAF veterans' association, and in Walthamstow itself.
I'll pass the enquiry on, and hope something comes of it.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
1/28/2008 9:09:33 PM | Paul,
Thank you very much for trying to help. I believe that a total of 10 RAF members signed his journal and/or drew pictures or wrote in his journal. There were many different nationalities in the same prison camp. I will look forward to hearing if you have any luck.
Jackie
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David Pearce
1/29/2008 3:18:44 PM | Jackie,
I think that the A.G. stands for Air Gunner.
You could try and post an appeal on the web site http://WWW.aircrew.org.uk
Hope that this helps.
Dave
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
1/29/2008 3:55:48 PM | Dave,
Thank you for the suggestion. I should probably make a list of all the RAF men who signed the journal and then write. I am hoping Paul can find out something as well.
I think sometimes how remarkable it is that the generations change, but so much of a connection remains in what our ancestors did so many years ago. I wonder often where all of us would be today without the sacrifices they made for all of us.
I will put together a list this weekend. I think it would be nice to see if there are still family members that may know stories about the men that are no longer here of the times shared so long ago. And I guess there is always the hope of finding photographs as well.
Jackie
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Phoenix
1/30/2008 1:20:18 PM | Jackie,
Just a light bit of "banter" for you but as a veteran of 26 years RAF service you will get yourself in hot water by referring to RAF men as "soldiers" we are "airmen" over this side of the pond!!!
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
1/30/2008 7:59:02 PM | Opps,
I apologize. I promise I will refer to the RAF 'airmen' correctly in the future.
Actually I am glad to learn as I go as I would not want to offend anyone by accident or otherwise. So I thank you for telling me.
Here is a list of the RAF airmen who signed my father's journal or wrote a poem or drew a picture.
I have tried to spell the names correctly, but since the writing is in pencil and is about 60 years old...it is very faded in some places.
(quote)Reginald W. Jayce
A.G. Royal Air Force
Stalag Luft III
Sagan, Deutschland
A. J. Macpherson
234 Lea Bridge Road
Leyton, London E 10
R. W. Jayie
22 Exeter Rd
Walthanestow, London E 14
Frederich George Rumsey May 19,1944
88 Scovell Rd Leading airman
Boro, London Swordfish-Dunkirk
Douglas Eagle
68 School Road
Hall Green, Birmingham 28
J. D. Wright
226 Station Rd.
Wallsen-on-Fyne, England
Reuben J. Coker
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Paul Bellamy
2/2/2008 9:12:49 AM | I got this snippet earlier today:
1850911 Sgt Reginald William I Joyce - Imprisoned at Stalag Luft 3, Sagan PoW Nmr: 8100
Post-war:
Commissioned to Pilot Officer (P/O) - 20 Oct 1948 (RAFVR(T)) i.e. Air Training Corps.
Promoted P/O to Fg/Offr - 1951
Resigned commission - 19 March 1969 (RAFVR(T))
28 June 1944
102 Sqdn - Halifax III LW143 DY-O
Took off 2157hrs from Pocklington to attack railway yards at Blainville, France.
Crashed (cause unspecified) near Beauvais (Oise), where those who died are buried in Marissel French National Cemetery.
Crew:
F/Sgt N D Campbell RAAF - killed
Sgt D E Leslie - PoW (S/Luft III, Sagan - Nmr: 8101)
Sgt A D Eagle - PoW (S/Luft III, Sagan - Nmr: 8089)
F/Sgt J Wilson RCAF - killed
F/Sgt N A Pardon RAAF - killed
Sgt R L Leveington - PoW (S/Luft III, Sagan - Nmr: 8102)
Sgt R W I Joyce - PoW (S/Luft III, Sagan - Nmr: 8100)
Judging by the PoW numbers, 3 chaps were captured together.
102 (Ceylon) Squadron were part of 4 Group and suffered equal highest casualty rate for 4 Group.
11 Halifaxes were lost from 4 group on that night, 5 of which were from 102 Squadron.
Apparently there's more to come later. 🙂
Looks like he's mentioned twice in the book:
R. W. Jayie (R W Joyce?)
22 Exeter Rd
Walthamstow, London E 14
TTFN,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
2/2/2008 9:45:56 AM | Paul,
First of all I want to thank you Paul for the research you have done on these RAF airmen.
It is so interesting to read about these men who were imprisoned with my father at Stalig Luft III and or Moosberg which was Dad's last POW camp before they were freed by General Patton. I have often wondered if any of theses men were still alive or if they had family members who remembered hearing about the days that were so hard.
I look forward to reading more about any information you find on these Airmen or their family's.
❗
Jackie
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Paul Bellamy
2/6/2008 12:53:15 PM | Jackie,
I saw this over on the AAF Forum and thought I'd pass it on:
There will be a Stalag Luft III reunion in Cincinnati, OH from April 27 to May 1, 2008.
You can register online at http://www.armedforcesreunions.com/stalag.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
2/6/2008 3:00:43 PM | Paul,
Oh how I wish I knew more about who would be attending something like this and could even talk to or write to someone afterwards who may have know my Dad while he was there. Do you know anyone attending?
Jackie
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