WARTIME GUIDES

It is great when we can help to discover family stories. This time, we were totally suprised when we got a parcel with picutres from Stalag XXA (20A). It had been dicovered accidentally on trash but before it was destroyed a man who found it, called and asked us if we are interested in them. After reseach, we know that this is a collection of pictures from a working camp  in the north east of Poland. What is more, on reverse of one of the pictures, was full data and address. Now we are waiting for response to finish this story.... we will inform you about  the results.

Trip with Tony and Mirek was very fascinating and demanding for us. They really suprised us because of  their determination and desire for knowledge. Below we're presenting you some memories from their trip.  Pavel began with a fascinating presentation detailing the history of Torun and an account of how it became such a centre for the "Stalags" during the Second Word War.  I hadn't realised that many of the camps began with the utilisation of 19th Century Prussian Forts. Our journey with Pavel began in the town of Torun where we stopped to view what must have been the very first view my father must have had of Torun where the railways converged. He explained that with typical German efficiency upwards of several thousand prisoners were processed here before being distributed to other camps around the town. The suffering of these prisoners who travelled in these rail wagons with little sanitation was a sobering thought. Old Railway Statation ...

More than 20 000 people from different countries like never before  waited for consignment from a camp post...  Christmas time was well celebrated especially by POW's. Men from rooms and wooden huts  prepared their own Christmas dinner, sometimes small gifts, and of course interiors, were well decorated by hand made ornaments and Christmas tree. What is more, actor groups prepared special shows (concerts, dance bands, plays, pantomimes) related to Christmas tradition and very often written in the camp. For Christmas were also published special number of a camp newsletter: Prisoners Pie (or New Prisoners Pie) Very interesting is also fact that POW's assoctations in motherslands organised events like competitions for the best Christmas hand made postcard! Front page of  the Christmas Number The New Prisoners Pie Front page of  the Christmas Number The New Prisoners Pie When it comes to the Christmas dinner, it's necessary to point out that the...

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...

Austen Deans was a soldier of New Zeland forces. He was sent to defent country far away from New Zeland...firstly North Africa and secondly Europe. When German won capampaing in Crete Austen and rest of soldiers as a POW were transported to Stalag XXA in Torun. After four days of trip to Poland soldiers were located in old prussian forts. Austen was imprisoned in Fort XV. Below we present short part of his fascinating biography.... One of Austen Deans painting shows Fort XV In the first few months at Stalag XX-A Austen also worked as a temporary tailor, repairing old British army greatcoats for the Russian POWs. As they were not party to the Geneva Convention they had no access to supplies and provisions through the Red Cross, and would have frozen to death had the Germans not provided the coats. The three friends were able to continue painting. Austen carried on with his portraits of other POWs and as many landscapes as he could produce from within the confines of the camp....

It was pleasure for us to be guests one of the famous Torun's radio. Pawel had interview about history of Stalag XXA and modern "sentimental" tourism. That was a great opportunity to show unknown stories about POW's and expalin how this heritage it is worthy for unique groups like families, friends etc. who prepare to this trip sometime about one year and the are able to come here even from New Zeland. During the interview

One of the most famouse priests Jan Twardowski told that:  Let us hurry to love people they depart so quickly” Jan Twardowski. We met Jack by Skype and that was fantastic to spoke with man who remember true facts about war time in Torun. Thank you for whole knwoledge... Below we would like to show you the eulogy J ack Morgan Walker was born to Sarah & Sydney Walker on the 4th Oct 1922 at Cheetham Hill Manchester England. They immigrated to Australia in 1926, Dad was 4. They rented a house in Bronte where his younger brother Ralph was born in 1928. Dad attended Clovelly Infants School, Woollahra Opportunity School & Randwick Boys High. After gaining his Intermediate Certificate his first job was with Anthony Hordens in the city selling sox, ties and handkerchiefs. He then worked 2½ years as a window dresser at David Jones Store in the city. When he was 16 the family moved to Oatley. He was always mad on motor bikes so when he was old enough he bought a ...