Exploring Family History from the Time of Captivity

Another visit with an inspiring story behind it is behind us. This time, a father and his son came to Toruń to see the place where their relative was held in captivity during World War II.

It's remarkable how a journey through time can bring so much emotion and discovery. During their short but intense visit, our guests saw places that were once witnesses to dramatic events.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this journey was going through a substantial number of cards and letters, which allowed for the establishment of a timeline and the locations of the detainee. The letters, notes, and other documents were like pieces of a puzzle that together painted a picture of life during wartime.

During this remarkable journey, there were also anecdotes about daily life in the camp. Stories about daily challenges, moments of joy, and solidarity among prisoners shed new light on how people managed to survive even in the most difficult conditions.

Although the visit was brief, it was incredibly fruitful. It confirmed how many documents are still waiting to be discovered and how many stories are waiting to be told. It also highlighted the importance of immersing oneself in family history and preserving the memory of the past.

Journeys through time don't always have to be long and costly. Sometimes, a short visit to a place connected to family history is enough to discover new perspectives and rediscover lost memories. Such journeys are not just physical journeys but also journeys into the depths of our own history and identity.

Comments

Thanks this trip we've discovered new facts about POW from Stalag XXA in 1945

That was wonderful trip. During three days we saw couple of places connected with POW path of Jack Stansfield. Moreover thanks his son Michael we saw notes with memories of last days in Stalag XXA in Torun. In opposit to all facts which says that prisoners left camp in late december 1945 Jack wrote that they started to march on 21 january! That means that lasts groups of POW left camp in 10 days before Torun was liberated. Fortunatley Jack survived afeter he escaped from march. He met russians army and polish partizants. Below we presents you short memories about Jack and trip to Poland... My father was called Jack Stansfield, he was born in August 1918. He was brought up in the market town of Malton in North Yorkshire where his parents were publicans. He joined the Territorial Army in March 1939 and was mobilised on the declaration of war. Jack enlisted in his local regiment joining the 5th Battalion of the Green Howards. After a short time at the Regimental HQ in Richmond, North

Living conditions in Stalag XXA

Monthly bath in Stalag XXA Living conditions Lawrence Travers Dorins a former POW describes „fort XI was surrounded by a high bank and the fence around it with gates across the entrance road, on one side there was also a dry moat with a bridge on it. The bridge led to a tunnel” The fortress was covered with trees, bushes and earth so that the fortress could not be visible from the bird's eye. Prisoners slept in caponiers where initially were supposed to sleep Prussian soldiers. Yet PoW describes the rooms as if there were designed as rooms in the concentration camps. Rooms looked as semi tunnels. “The perpendicular walls were about 3m high and the height of the arched roof was about 5 m, wooden bunks provided sleeping spaces. Each room had only two small windows which obviously allowed no ventilation. Due to the end of the night the air was solid and everyone would have a headache due to oxygen starvation” .In those rooms kept approximately 32 men. There were three shelves whe

Poem

Not many people are aware of the fact that even in Forced Work Camps, Pows wrote poetry. Below there is a moving poem written by Mr Harry Tapley. Written by Harry Tapley, 4th Btn Gordon Highlanders PoW No. 5532 Kriegsgfangener Lager Stalag XXB, XVIIIB, XXA I find it hard just to explain As I travel back down memory lane Of the strength of mind, and stale black bread And cattle trucks, and frozen dead The companionship, when might was right The petty thieving in the night, The lice, the rags, the hunger pains The barbed wire fence, the stink of drains The sudden blackouts when you stand A raging torrent of commands, Sleeping in snow in open spaces Guards death frozen in their places Sharing out each little mite Eating potatoes black with blight Clogs and foot cloths hurting feet While topping miles of sugar beet Dreaming of bellies being filled While just another prisoner's killed, The eager listening to all news The lies, the rumours, the different vi

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