Info about a couple of R.A.F. PoWs?

**wwrsimon** · 1st December 2018, 17:15

Hello everyone

I have a query about two (unconnected) R.A.F. P.o.W.s, if anyone can help with the circumstances under which they became prisoners? I've found references to the two of them in the newspaper archives on FMP.

948590 Albert Edward TAYLOR, P.o.W. No. 38. He was reported to be a prisoner in July 1941, when it as announced that he was part of the crew of a bomber picked up in the Channel. I've trawled through BCL volumes 1 and 2, as well as Ross's Coastal Command Losses to no avail.

988221 Thomas KNOWLES, P.o.W No. 1482. He was reported released in April 1945, but I can't find anything about him being reported missing.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Regards

Simon

**PeteT** · 1st December 2018, 17:20

"Footprints" has T Knowles 76 squadron DK172 23/05/1943

Regards

Pete

**wwrsimon** · 1st December 2018, 17:28

Thanks for that Pete, much appreciated.

As for Taylor, the newspaper article states that his father received word on July 25th 1941 that he was missing.

Regards

Simon

EDIT - was he the "A E Taylor" on board Beaufort AW238, missing July 25th 1941?

http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...php?uniq=AW238

**jossleclercq** · 2nd December 2018, 13:45

Hello Simon

unfortunately, there was a problem with my digital camera so I miss the first page of Albert Edward Taylor's PoW questionnaire. I confirm service number, and he was at St Eval when lectured on evasions, so it points towards Coastal command and 217 Squadron. He was interrogated first in Homark hospital then in Dulag Luft. The questionnaire was signed on 23rd April 1945.

Joss

**wwrsimon** · 2nd December 2018, 15:52

Many thanks for that Joss.

I did find another report, from the Shields Evening News, July 29th 1941:

R.A.F. PRISONERS
Reuter has received the following names of British airmen, stated to be the crew of a bomber, picked up in the Channel, from enemy sources: Major Colings, born August 15, 1917; Sergeant Albert Edward Taylor, born March 29, 1921, Sergeant H. Esmond Halgh, July 10, 1921; Lieutenant William James Hunter, August 21, 1920; Sergeant Frederick O. Martin Smith, August 21, 1919 - Reuter.

Sp, from those, Colings [sic], Hunter and Taylor are the crew of AW238. Frederick O. Martin Smith is 622585 Frederick Martin Smith, reported as a P.o.W. on August 15th 1941 in the Birmingham Evening Despatch newspaper. BCL 1941 has him and 970386 Ernest John Hesmondhalgh in Wellington R1702 lost near Brest on July 24th 1941.

Not sure who the L. E. Collins, R.A.A.F. mentioned in Air 81/7858 is? Ross has 137117 A. G. Collings as the pilot of AW238 in CCL Vol. 1. There is a 404396 Leonard Charles Collins R.A.A.F. who was a P.o.W., but his service records have him on Stirling N6282, lost on June 29/30 1942.

Hunter is Jim Hunter, whose wartime experiences are recorded in the book 'From Coastal Command to Captivity.'

Regards

Simon

**wwrsimon** · 7th December 2018, 15:52

Hello again

Just a quick question. I've got a copy of Jim Hunter's book, and he refers to the pilot of AW238 as Les Collings. Looking at the P.o.W list on here, is this possibly 214 Leslie Ewart Collings, R.A.A.F.?

Thanks

Simon

**vrajm** · 7th December 2018, 16:47

Hi Simon,

Look at No. 56. : https://www.ozatwar.com/raaf/stalagluftiii.pdf

http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.as...eranId=1043803

Regards

Mojmir

**wwrsimon** · 7th December 2018, 16:56

Okay, those both confirm him as being with with 217 Sqn. Thanks Mojmir, much appreciated.

Regards

Simon

**Mattx1973** · 16th February 2021, 00:44

Hello Yes F M Smith one of the airman you mention in R1702 was my grandfather his name was actually Frank Martin Smith not Fredrick but his nickname was Fred so that’s where it must have come from.I believe he spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft after being picked up by the Germans.

Matt

Originally Posted by wwrsimon

Many thanks for that Joss.

I did find another report, from the Shields Evening News, July 29th 1941:

R.A.F. PRISONERS
Reuter has received the following names of British airmen, stated to be the crew of a bomber, picked up in the Channel, from enemy sources: Major Colings, born August 15, 1917; Sergeant Albert Edward Taylor, born March 29, 1921, Sergeant H. Esmond Halgh, July 10, 1921; Lieutenant William James Hunter, August 21, 1920; Sergeant Frederick O. Martin Smith, August 21, 1919 - Reuter.

Sp, from those, Colings [sic], Hunter and Taylor are the crew of AW238. Frederick O. Martin Smith is 622585 Frederick Martin Smith, reported as a P.o.W. on August 15th 1941 in the Birmingham Evening Despatch newspaper. BCL 1941 has him and 970386 Ernest John Hesmondhalgh in Wellington R1702 lost near Brest on July 24th 1941.

Not sure who the L. E. Collins, R.A.A.F. mentioned in Air 81/7858 is? Ross has 137117 A. G. Collings as the pilot of AW238 in CCL Vol. 1. There is a 404396 Leonard Charles Collins R.A.A.F. who was a P.o.W., but his service records have him on Stirling N6282, lost on June 29/30 1942.

Hunter is Jim Hunter, whose wartime experiences are recorded in the book 'From Coastal Command to Captivity.'

Regards

Simon

**John Williams** · 16th February 2021, 01:58

Hi Simon,

According to Tom Roberts ‘Wingless’ Leslie Ewart Collings A/Sq/L 214 was on Beaufort AW238 217 Sqn when it was mounting an attack on Scharnhorst but the Scharnhorst aborted its operation to move from La Pallice to Brest due to bad weather, so they attacked a small convoy, the aircraft crashed in the Bay of Biscay and he and the Navigator became pows. POW Number 3710, Oflag XXIB and Stalag Luft III.

Cheers,

John.