Skip to content
  1. Do it online
  2. Login
  3. Have your say
  4. My Durham

Please note that our Modern.Gov system is currently unavailable - this affects all aspects of the democracy/committee section on our website, including Committee papers. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Red Cross parcels


During their long years of imprisonment, men dreamt of escape and freedom. Most soldiers working 12 hours in a factory or in a mine were too tired to escape but many officers did attempt escape though very few succeeded in reaching Britain. Finally in 1945 all the DLI's prisoners of war were freed and returned home to rebuild their lives.

Richard Forbes

Richard Forbes's biography (PDF) [52KB]

Richard remembers his first Red Cross parcel whilst a prisoner in hospital in 1941.

Richard Forbes's transcript (PDF) [30KB]


Alan Watcham

Alan Watcham's biography (PDF) [49KB]

Alan remembers dividing up a Red Cross parcel in a prisoner of war camp.

Alan Watcham's transcript (PDF) [117KB]


Andrew Madden

Andrew Madden
Andrew Madden's biography (PDF) [50KB]

Andrew remembers getting cigarettes from home whilst a prisoner of war.

 

Andrew Madden's transcript (PDF) [36KB]


Henry Watson

Henry Watson
Henry Watson's biography (PDF) [51KB]

Henry remembers the differences between British and American Red Cross parcels.

Henry Watson's transcript (PDF) [41KB]


Fred Welsh

Fred Welsh
Fred Welsh's biography (PDF) [50KB]

Fred remembers making a dart board from a Red Cross parcel whilst a prisoner of war.

Fred Welsh's transcript (PDF) [35KB]


Durham Light Infantry banner Durham Light Infantry banner - mobile version


Share this page

Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this page on Twitter