A Kings Langley historian recently discovered that an old satchel can tell a thousand stories.
Claire, who runs Kings Langley Barber Shop, wanted to learn more about her grandfather John Thorne’s experience in the Second World War – but all she had was a satchel full of memorabilia and documents.
Claire enlisted local historian Charlie Trumpess to travel through time and uncover the secrets lost in the war.
Joining the army
John joined the Territorial Army in 1939.
In May 1940, John’s battalion were attempting to cross a river to reach the Allied side, but were surprised by the Germans and taken prisoner.
By May 27, 1940, John was a prisoner of war.
Life as a prisoner of war
John was taken to a series of camps in overcrowded trucks, travelling through Berlin and to Toruń, Poland. He described this journey as “long and uncomfortable”.
Befriending a group of inmates, John had planned an escaped for August 25, 1940. Having cut a hole in the perimeter fence, the group slipped out of the camp.
Thirteen days later, the group were recaptured and taken back to camp.
The Rover Scouts
In October 1942, a group of British and Commonwealth prisoners decided to form an official Rover Scout Crew, and John was appointed quartermaster.
The group turned a disused stable block into a camp school and library. They also organised numerous activities to keep prisoners busy, including debating societies, amateur dramatics, sports clubs, and first aid. They even converted a large water tank into a swimming pool.
Escape
On April 12, 1945, John’s camp was evacuated. The prisoners, whether they were march-ready, sick, or disabled, were forced out the camp and marched west.
The march was poorly guarded, and John and his group managed to slip away.
A few days later, they were joined by a French soldier named Rene, who had also escaped from a prisoner-of-war camp. John noted he seemed pleasant and spoke good English.
When they saw an American Jeep, the group made themselves known and the Americans gave them cartons of cigarettes. At dusk, they transported them to a farmhouse.
The Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories wanted to move the group back towards the camp, but this did not suit John. He and Rene decided to make their own way home but were taken into custody and interrogated by an American intelligence officer.
The next day, John was released. While passing by some prisoners, he spotted Rene. John was told that Rene was a German soldier who had murdered a French prisoner and stolen his identity. His fate is unknown.
Finally, John made his way home on RAF transport aircraft.
A telegraph announcing his arrival home read: “John Stafford arrived yesterday evening without a rag on his back or a penny in pocket. Mother was naturally shocked at his appearance.”
A return to the future
Charlie found lots of information about John’s wartime experiences, which he shared in his blog.
As a military historian and elected Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Charlie brings stories from the Second World War to life. You can find out more at www.shorturl.at/laW6j
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