Roberts William John Pte 4457717 - Revision history

70bgadmin at 11:20, 14 April 2020

2020-04-14T11:20:05Z

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	\|Died/Killed in action=Died 3/10/1994.		\|Died/Killed in action=Died 3/10/1994.
	\|Home address=Born and lived his early life in Tonypandy, Wales. Married at St Patrick's Church, Langley Moor on 12/6/1943 to Theresa J Farthing. On demobilisation, worked at St Luke's bakery, then the Refuge Insurance Company and finally with HM Prison Service at Durham Gaol from 1960 until his retirement in 1982.		\|Home address=Born and lived his early life in Tonypandy, Wales. Married at St Patrick's Church, Langley Moor on 12/6/1943 to Theresa J Farthing. On demobilisation, worked at St Luke's bakery, then the Refuge Insurance Company and finally with HM Prison Service at Durham Gaol from 1960 until his retirement in 1982.
			\|Image Name=Wedding_photo_June_1943.jpg
			\|Image Title=Wedding photo of Cpl William John Roberts and his wife June 1943.
	}}		}}

70bgadmin at 11:10, 14 April 2020

2020-04-14T11:10:57Z

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	\|Date of birth=Not yet known.		\|Date of birth=Not yet known.
	\|Age=(At time of death).		\|Age=(At time of death).
	\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified but probably Summer/Autumn 1939. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War at Arras 21/5/1940. He was declared missing and a notification that he was a Prisoner was made via the Protecting Power on 12/7/1940. Escaped. ~~REpatriated~~.		\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified but probably Summer/Autumn 1939. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War at Arras 21/5/1940. He was declared missing and a notification that he was a Prisoner was made via the Protecting Power on 12/7/1940. Escaped. Repatriated.
	Subsequently posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth. Transferred to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment 28/2/1942. Docs to Record Office 25/3/1942. Posted to the Permanent Staff of the Primary Training Wing 12/5/1942. Re-posted/re-transferred to The Durham Light Infantry 15/3/1943. Relegated to Class Z Army Reserve 11/4/1946. Re-joined 8th Battalion DLI after the War as 23652528 until disbandment of the Regiment in 1967.		Subsequently posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth. Transferred to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment 28/2/1942. Docs to Record Office 25/3/1942. Posted to the Permanent Staff of the Primary Training Wing 12/5/1942. Re-posted/re-transferred to The Durham Light Infantry 15/3/1943. Relegated to Class Z Army Reserve 11/4/1946. Re-joined 8th Battalion DLI after the War as 23652528 until disbandment of the Regiment in 1967.
	\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.		\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.

70bgadmin at 11:10, 14 April 2020

2020-04-14T11:10:39Z

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	\|Date of birth=Not yet known.		\|Date of birth=Not yet known.
	\|Age=(At time of death).		\|Age=(At time of death).
	\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified but probably Summer/Autumn 1939. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War at Arras 21/5/1940. Escaped. Subsequently posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth. Transferred to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment 28/2/1942. Docs to Record Office 25/3/1942. Posted to the Permanent Staff of the Primary Training Wing 12/5/1942. Re-posted/re-transferred to The Durham Light Infantry 15/3/1943. Relegated to Class Z Army Reserve aa/4/1946. Re-joined 8th Battalion DLI after the War as 23652528 until disbandment of the Regiment in 1967.		\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified but probably Summer/Autumn 1939. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War at Arras 21/5/1940. He was declared missing and a notification that he was a Prisoner was made via the Protecting Power on 12/7/1940. Escaped. REpatriated.
			Subsequently posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth. Transferred to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment 28/2/1942. Docs to Record Office 25/3/1942. Posted to the Permanent Staff of the Primary Training Wing 12/5/1942. Re-posted/re-transferred to The Durham Light Infantry 15/3/1943. Relegated to Class Z Army Reserve 11/4/1946. Re-joined 8th Battalion DLI after the War as 23652528 until disbandment of the Regiment in 1967.
	\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.		\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.
	\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.		\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.

70bgadmin at 11:08, 14 April 2020

2020-04-14T11:08:03Z

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	\|Date of birth=Not yet known.		\|Date of birth=Not yet known.
	\|Age=(At time of death).		\|Age=(At time of death).
	\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified but probably Summer/Autumn 1939. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War at Arras 21/5/1940. Escaped. Subsequently posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth. Relegated to Army Reserve. Re-joined 8th Battalion DLI after the War until disbandment in 1967.		\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified but probably Summer/Autumn 1939. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War at Arras 21/5/1940. Escaped. Subsequently posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth. Transferred to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment 28/2/1942. Docs to Record Office 25/3/1942. Posted to the Permanent Staff of the Primary Training Wing 12/5/1942. Re-posted/re-transferred to The Durham Light Infantry 15/3/1943. Relegated to Class Z Army Reserve aa/4/1946. Re-joined 8th Battalion DLI after the War as 23652528 until disbandment of the Regiment in 1967.
	\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.		\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.
	\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.		\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.
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	\|Promotions=Corporal.		\|Promotions=Corporal.
	\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.		\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.
	\|Prisoner of War=Yes.		\|Prisoner of War=Yes - see the biographical details associated with his Distinguished Conduct Medal.
	\|Died/Killed in action=Died 3/10/1994.		\|Died/Killed in action=Died 3/10/1994.
	\|Home address=Born and lived his early life in Tonypandy, Wales. Married at St Patrick's Church, Langley Moor on 12/6/1943 to Theresa J Farthing. On demobilisation, worked at St Luke's bakery, then the Refuge Insurance Company and finally with HM Prison Service at Durham Gaol from 1960 until retirement in 1982.		\|Home address=Born and lived his early life in Tonypandy, Wales. Married at St Patrick's Church, Langley Moor on 12/6/1943 to Theresa J Farthing. On demobilisation, worked at St Luke's bakery, then the Refuge Insurance Company and finally with HM Prison Service at Durham Gaol from 1960 until his retirement in 1982.
	}}		}}

70bgadmin at 10:48, 2 April 2020

2020-04-02T10:48:07Z

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	\|Task or role=Not yet ascertained for 8th Battalion but subsequently worked as a Fieldcraft Instructor.		\|Task or role=Not yet ascertained for 8th Battalion but subsequently worked as a Fieldcraft Instructor.
	\|Joined Brigade=Uncertain as to date but probably mid-1941 although it appears he did not join the Brigade in Iceland but was detached to work at No. 4 I.T.C. Brancepeth. This assumption is based on a photograph showing him wearing 70th Brigade insignia. That illustration features in his biography associated with his DCM award, held within the DLI Collection. That information can be read [http://dlicollection.durham.gov.uk/pgFullBiography.aspx?BioId=6526&BioSurname=Roberts&AZ= here].		\|Joined Brigade=Uncertain as to date but probably mid-1941 although it appears he did not join the Brigade in Iceland but was detached to work at No. 4 I.T.C. Brancepeth. This assumption is based on a photograph showing him wearing 70th Brigade insignia. That illustration features in his biography associated with his DCM award, held within the DLI Collection. That information can be read [http://dlicollection.durham.gov.uk/pgFullBiography.aspx?BioId=6526&BioSurname=Roberts&AZ= here].
	\|Promotions=~~None known~~.		\|Promotions=Corporal.
	\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.		\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.
	\|Prisoner of War=Yes.		\|Prisoner of War=Yes.

70bgadmin at 10:47, 2 April 2020

2020-04-02T10:47:07Z

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	\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.		\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.
	\|Task or role=Not yet ascertained for 8th Battalion but subsequently worked as a Fieldcraft Instructor.		\|Task or role=Not yet ascertained for 8th Battalion but subsequently worked as a Fieldcraft Instructor.
	\|Joined Brigade=Uncertain as to date but probably mid-1941 although it appears he did not join the Brigade in Iceland but was detached to work at No. 4 I.T.C. Brancepeth. This assumption is based on a photograph showing him wearing 70th Brigade insignia. That illustration features in his biography associated with his DCM award, held within the DLI Collection.		\|Joined Brigade=Uncertain as to date but probably mid-1941 although it appears he did not join the Brigade in Iceland but was detached to work at No. 4 I.T.C. Brancepeth. This assumption is based on a photograph showing him wearing 70th Brigade insignia. That illustration features in his biography associated with his DCM award, held within the DLI Collection. That information can be read [http://dlicollection.durham.gov.uk/pgFullBiography.aspx?BioId=6526&BioSurname=Roberts&AZ= here].
	\|Promotions=None known.		\|Promotions=None known.
	\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.		\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.

70bgadmin at 10:25, 2 April 2020

2020-04-02T10:25:38Z

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	\|Date of birth=Not yet known.		\|Date of birth=Not yet known.
	\|Age=(At time of death).		\|Age=(At time of death).
	\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified but probably Summer/Autumn 1939. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War at Arras. Escaped. Subsequently posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth.		\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified but probably Summer/Autumn 1939. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War at Arras 21/5/1940. Escaped. Subsequently posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth. Relegated to Army Reserve. Re-joined 8th Battalion DLI after the War until disbandment in 1967.
	\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.		\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.
	\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.		\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.
	\|Task or role=Not yet ascertained for 8th Battalion but subsequently worked as a Fieldcraft Instructor.		\|Task or role=Not yet ascertained for 8th Battalion but subsequently worked as a Fieldcraft Instructor.
	\|Joined Brigade=Uncertain as to date but probably mid-1941 although it appears he did not join the Brigade in Iceland but was detached to work at No. 4 I.T.C. Brancepeth. This assumption is based on a photograph showing him wearing 70th Brigade insignia.		\|Joined Brigade=Uncertain as to date but probably mid-1941 although it appears he did not join the Brigade in Iceland but was detached to work at No. 4 I.T.C. Brancepeth. This assumption is based on a photograph showing him wearing 70th Brigade insignia. That illustration features in his biography associated with his DCM award, held within the DLI Collection.
	\|Promotions=None known.		\|Promotions=None known.
	\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.		\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.
	\|Prisoner of War=Yes.		\|Prisoner of War=Yes.
	\|Died/Killed in action=~~date of death not yet known~~.		\|Died/Killed in action=Died 3/10/1994.
	\|Home address=Born and lived his early life in Tonypandy, Wales. Married.		\|Home address=Born and lived his early life in Tonypandy, Wales. Married at St Patrick's Church, Langley Moor on 12/6/1943 to Theresa J Farthing. On demobilisation, worked at St Luke's bakery, then the Refuge Insurance Company and finally with HM Prison Service at Durham Gaol from 1960 until retirement in 1982.
	}}		}}

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	Recommendation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal based on interrogation report dated 13 August 1941, as follows:- "These soldiers were captured during May 1940 near Arras and taken first to the prison camp at Thorn and from there to a working camp at Konitz. They escaped together on 21st September by forcing a window, the sentries being partly drunk, and for seven days travelled south. At Tuchel they were spotted and surrounded by the police, but managed to get away. At Schwetz they were given civilian clothes and a compass by an American Pole, who also got them a boat to cross the Vistula. They went on through Wabreszno to Rypin, where they met an anti-German organisation. The Poles gave them shelter, food, clothing and money, but eventually they had to leave on their own, and making their way through Mlawa and Makow they crossed the frontier into Russia near Outrow on 24th February, 1941. They were then captured by the Russians and were imprisoned until their final release on 8th July."		Recommendation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal based on interrogation report dated 13 August 1941, as follows:- "These soldiers were captured during May 1940 near Arras and taken first to the prison camp at Thorn and from there to a working camp at Konitz. They escaped together on 21st September by forcing a window, the sentries being partly drunk, and for seven days travelled south. At Tuchel they were spotted and surrounded by the police, but managed to get away. At Schwetz they were given civilian clothes and a compass by an American Pole, who also got them a boat to cross the Vistula. They went on through Wabreszno to Rypin, where they met an anti-German organisation. The Poles gave them shelter, food, clothing and money, but eventually they had to leave on their own, and making their way through Mlawa and Makow they crossed the frontier into Russia near Outrow on 24th February, 1941. They were then captured by the Russians and were imprisoned until their final release on 8th July."

	''According to the account of this escape - written by Reverend Rawson - Roberts asserted that the reason for their decorations being awarded had to remain secret for fear of exposing the Polish helpers to reprisals, and this secrecy was maintained until 1988.''		''According to the account of this escape, written by Reverend Rawson, a former Officer with 8th Durham Light Infantry, Roberts asserted that the reason for their decorations being awarded had to remain secret for fear of exposing the Polish helpers to reprisals, and this secrecy was maintained until 1988.''

70bgadmin at 09:47, 2 April 2020

2020-04-02T09:47:17Z

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	\|Date of birth=Not yet known.		\|Date of birth=Not yet known.
	\|Age=(At time of death).		\|Age=(At time of death).
	\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War. Escaped.		\|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified but probably Summer/Autumn 1939. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War at Arras. Escaped. Subsequently posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth.
	\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.		\|Company/Battery=Not yet known.
	\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.		\|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.
	\|Task or role=Not yet ascertained.		\|Task or role=Not yet ascertained for 8th Battalion but subsequently worked as a Fieldcraft Instructor.
	\|Joined Brigade=Uncertain.		\|Joined Brigade=Uncertain as to date but probably mid-1941 although it appears he did not join the Brigade in Iceland but was detached to work at No. 4 I.T.C. Brancepeth. This assumption is based on a photograph showing him wearing 70th Brigade insignia.
	\|Promotions=None known.		\|Promotions=None known.
	\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.		\|Wounded=Not so far as is known.
	\|Prisoner of War=Yes.		\|Prisoner of War=Yes.
	\|Died/Killed in action=date of death not yet known.		\|Died/Killed in action=date of death not yet known.
	\|Home address=Born and lived his early life in Tonypandy, Wales.		\|Home address=Born and lived his early life in Tonypandy, Wales. Married.
	}}		}}

	Private Roberts was interviewed by ~~Hayy moses~~ for the Imperial War Museum's Oral History Project bu unfortunately the extensive recordings cease at the point of repatriation. It is thought that he may have been transferred to the 11th Battalion but this has yet to be confirmed. The interview can be accessed [https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80014569 here].		Private Roberts was interviewed by Harry Moses for the Imperial War Museum's Oral History Project but unfortunately the extensive recordings cease at the point of repatriation. It is thought that he may have been transferred to the 11th Battalion but this has yet to be confirmed. The interview can be accessed [https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80014569 here].

			The Citation for his DCM is as follows:-

			D.L.I., Escaped Prisoner of War: (fellow escaper Cpl R Bainbridge DLI. was also awarded the Distinguished
			Conduct Medal for this escape.) Captured Arras 21 May 40; taken to Stalag XX A (Thorn) 9 June 40. Escaped Konitz (Poland) 21 September 40. Left Moscow 30 July 41. Arrived United Kingdom II August 41.

			Recommendation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal based on interrogation report dated 13 August 1941, as follows:- "These soldiers were captured during May 1940 near Arras and taken first to the prison camp at Thorn and from there to a working camp at Konitz. They escaped together on 21st September by forcing a window, the sentries being partly drunk, and for seven days travelled south. At Tuchel they were spotted and surrounded by the police, but managed to get away. At Schwetz they were given civilian clothes and a compass by an American Pole, who also got them a boat to cross the Vistula. They went on through Wabreszno to Rypin, where they met an anti-German organisation. The Poles gave them shelter, food, clothing and money, but eventually they had to leave on their own, and making their way through Mlawa and Makow they crossed the frontier into Russia near Outrow on 24th February, 1941. They were then captured by the Russians and were imprisoned until their final release on 8th July."

			''According to the account of this escape - written by Reverend Rawson - Roberts asserted that the reason for their decorations being awarded had to remain secret for fear of exposing the Polish helpers to reprisals, and this secrecy was maintained until 1988.''

70bgadmin at 15:52, 1 April 2020

2020-04-01T15:52:55Z

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	}}		}}

	Private Roberts was interviewed by Hayy moses for the Imperial War Museum's Oral History Project bu unfortunately the extensive recordings cease at the point of repatriation. It is thought that he may have been transferred to the 11th Battalion but this has yet to be confirmed.		Private Roberts was interviewed by Hayy moses for the Imperial War Museum's Oral History Project bu unfortunately the extensive recordings cease at the point of repatriation. It is thought that he may have been transferred to the 11th Battalion but this has yet to be confirmed. The interview can be accessed [https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80014569 here].

70bgadmin: Created page with "{{personnel |Surname and forenames=Roberts William John |Army number=4457717 |Rank=Private. |Decorations=Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal - gazetted 4/11/1941. |Date of..."

2020-04-01T15:50:37Z

Created page with "{{personnel |Surname and forenames=Roberts William John |Army number=4457717 |Rank=Private. |Decorations=Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal - gazetted 4/11/1941. |Date of..."

New page

{{personnel
|Surname and forenames=Roberts William John
|Army number=4457717
|Rank=Private.
|Decorations=Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal - gazetted 4/11/1941.
|Date of birth=Not yet known.
|Age=(At time of death).
|Unit=Enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry - enlistment date to be identified. Posted to 8th Battalion. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War. Escaped.
|Company/Battery=Not yet known.
|Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known.
|Task or role=Not yet ascertained.
|Joined Brigade=Uncertain.
|Promotions=None known.
|Wounded=Not so far as is known.
|Prisoner of War=Yes.
|Died/Killed in action=date of death not yet known.
|Home address=Born and lived his early life in Tonypandy, Wales.
}}

Private Roberts was interviewed by Hayy moses for the Imperial War Museum's Oral History Project bu unfortunately the extensive recordings cease at the point of repatriation. It is thought that he may have been transferred to the 11th Battalion but this has yet to be confirmed.