Work Camp 942 GW
Work Camp 942 GW |
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Location: Schladming
Type of work: Sawmill
Man of Confidence: Pte F. Minta, 2635
Number of Men: 52
Forename |
Surname |
Rank |
Unit |
POW |
Comments |
| Lawrence | Beattie | Gnr | RA | 7086 | Northumberland |
| Philip Oswald | Beynon | Dvr | RE | 5808 | also 999/L |
| S. | Burgess | ||||
| John A. | Deacon | Gnr | RA | 3436 | London |
| Eric | Evans | Sgt | RASC | 2669 | |
| S. | Hawthorne | ||||
| Ivor | Gordon | Pte | RAOC | 2611 | |
| T. | Hornsby | Gnr | 2/6 Inf. Bn. | 3816 | Australia |
| John (Jack) William George | Hutchinson | Dvr | RASC | 2714 | |
| W. | Jarrion | ||||
| Tom | Line | Dvr | RASC | 3513 | |
| A. | Lucas | ||||
| B. | Mills | ||||
| F. | Minta | Sgmn | R Sigs | 2635 | MOC |
| A. | Parker | ||||
| F. | Paterson | ||||
| A. | Powell | ||||
| William Campbell | Russell | Dvr | RASC | 7132 | Scotland |
| John (Jack) | Swinnerton | Bdr | RA | 508 | Liverpool; also 10030/GW |
| Jack | Tansey | Pte | RASC | 2485 | Lancs |
| B. | Towers | ||||
| L. | Vick | Spr | RE | 5556 | |
| D. | Welsh | Spr | RE | 1707 | |
| J. | Young |
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Photographs and names supplied by Joyce Russell, daughter of William Russell, Denice Line, daughter-in-law of Tom Line, Raine Alexander, daughter of Eric Evans and Geoff Swinnerton, son of Jack Swinnerton.
General Description
The prisoners live in a wooden barrack near the sawing-mill where they are engaged in work.
Interior arrangement
The interior arrangements of the barrack are rather complete as there is plenty of wood available for boxes, cupboards and other practical arrangements. The only complaint is the lack of a special drying-room.
Bathing and washing facilities
The water supply is adequate as there is always hot water available in two boilers heated with chips from the wood yard.
Toilet facilities
Adequate.
Food and Cooking
The food is good.
Medical attention and sickness
Medical attention is given by one recognised medical orderly. Furthermore, the patients are allowed to go to a civil doctor in this town. He is said to be a bit slow in sending men back to Stalag when in need of lazaret treatment. Two patients were presented to the doctor delegate for medical examination. For one of them the delegates proposed the transfer to Stalag. Dental treatment is satisfactory here. The men are allowed once a week to go to a civil dentist who does extractions and fillings. For dentures the men have to be sent back to Stalag.
Clothing
No overalls have been given out. The order that two kits should be in the British prisoners' of war possession has not worked. The principal Man of Confidence in Stalag XVIII will be made aware of this.
Laundry
Done by the men themselves.
Money and Pay
No complaint.
Canteen
There is a canteen in the work but the prisoners of war hardly use it. Some articles can be got in the nearby village.
Religious activity
No padre has ever come to this camp. It can be explained by the long and complicated trip it would mean to reach this spot.
Recreation and exercise
There is no place for outdoor games as the peasants do not want the grass, where one could play, trampled out. Walks will be oranised to procure outdoor exercise to the men. (The photos showing football teams does seem to indicate that this problem was solved.)
Mail
Not satisfactory.
Welfare work
In order.
Complaints
a) The British Man of Confidence wishes to go from time to time to Stalag to
confer with Sgt. Maj. Stevenson. This, however, could not be granted as the
guard is not strong enough to let one man travel with Minta.
b) In this camp the German NCO commanding the Work Parties used to inflict
collective punishment when one of the prisoners escaped. Also he did hold back
the Red Cross parcels for lighter disciplinarian punishment. The command of this
camp was taken from him a few days ago and his successor seems to be a different
type of man. He is aware that these measures are strictly forbidden and the
British Man of Confidence told the inspector that work with the new camp
Commander was correct.
General impression
This work camp is a good one.
