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 remembers getting cigarettes from home whilst a prisoner of war.
Andrew Madden's transcript (PDF) [36KB]
Henry Watson
Henry remembers the differences between British and American Red Cross parcels.
Henry Watson's transcript (PDF) [41KB]
Fred Welsh
Fred remembers making a dart board from a Red Cross parcel whilst a prisoner of war.
Fred Welsh's transcript (PDF) [35KB]