Local folk

Researching war service

By Rick Smallman

Late father's records

For many years now I have been busy researching my late Father's wartime service. Recently my younger Sister sent a bundle of wartime letters to me and tucked away in a plain envelope was a Prisoner of War message card sent to Mum.

Relevant information

After a bit of a tidy up and an email to the right person we came up with the following information:

J. W. P. Ellingford
Rank:  Sapper
Army Number:  2090929
Regiment:   Royal Engineers
POW Number:  19766
Camp Number: XX-B
Camp Location: Malbork, Poland
Record Office: Royal Engineers Record Office, Ditchling Road, Brighton, Sussex
Record Office Number: 9

Emigrated to Australia

In 1952 John and family emigrated to Adelaide, Australia on board the P&O Mooltan. But the more exiting news was that he had a Brother. His brother George Edward born 1923 Brighton was killed at Arnhem and according to the records that I have George has "No Known Grave" his name appears on the Groesbeek Memorial.

Can you help?

I am hoping that someone may be able to identify the soldiers (are they the same?) or the location. The lady next to him is my late Mother. Any information will help me. At the moment I am busy chasing relatives to confirm that the details are correct.