The 1st September 1939 marked the day of mobilization and for a while training. But a move was soon made to the concentration area at Marlborough, where the 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment settled down for 3 months of concentrated training.
8th Battalion Guard, Marlborough, 1939
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler back row far left.
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler and wife Bessie (December 1939)
Taken while on Embarkation leave.
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter)
On the 22nd March 1940, the 8th Battalion moved south to Lorry-le-Metz. 'C' Company were located at Monneren, a small village which appeared to be deserted. The task in this area was to patrol a section in front of the Maginot Line. In spite of the fact that German patrols were from time to time encountered, there were no casualties.
After about 10 days 'C' Company was relieved and moved to a rest area at Kédange, some 15 miles behind the Maginot Line, for a two day rest. After which they were back patrolling some 10 miles in front of the Maginot Line. This type of activity continued through April with rest breaks at Kédange.
On 24th April, the Battalion moved back to Moncheaux with Brigade H.Q. near by at Le Forest. It was to spend another month digging anti-tank defensive positions in the area and carrying out reconnaissances up to the Belgian frontier.
But the war of mud and static defence abruptly ended when Germany invaded the Low Countries, and by 14th May the Battalion was way up at Dan Hoek on the outskirts of Brussels.
On the 16th May, 'C' Company took up a position in a wood south of Brussels at Bois de Soignes. The following day orders were received to commence a complete withdrawal. During the move they were attacked by German dive bombers. A despatch rider reported that the German troops were closing in so a move was made towards Ninove and after a long march transport arrived. After travelling through the night they arrived at Tournai and then moved on to Wez Velvain on the 19th May.
On 26th May, 144th Brigade was concentrated in and around Wormhoudt with The 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment in position in Wormhoudt village, while the 5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment were at Ledringhem, and were surrounded. The 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment were near the River Yser between Wylder and Bambecque.
Positions of 144th Brigade on the 27th and 28th May 1940
(showing movements of 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment companies)
On the 28th May, 'C' Company move towards Herzele, whilst 'A' and 'D' Companies were around Wylder, and 'B' Company were just south of Wormhoudt. Later that day 'C' Company move to Bambecque, Lieut. R. E. Cleverley, 14 Platoon commander of 'C' Company, and his men came under attack from German tanks and infantry and were overrun, he was wounded and later taken prisoner.
Lieut. R. E. Cleverley had been shot in the leg and back. He was captured and carried to a German field dressing station, which was in a farmhouse. Eventually he was taken by a German field Ambulance to Camiers, near Le Touquet, where a field hospital had been setup in a children's home. He finally ended up in an officers P.O.W. Camp at Laufen but was later move to other camps including a period in Colditz.
Lieut. R. E. Cleverley
(14 Platoon)
29th May 1940 positions of 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment company
locations
Captain Macdonald had been killed by mortar shells, but when they looked for him there was no trace of his body.
Corporal G. W. Wheeler ('C' Company), recalls;
"My platoon had taken cover in a wheatfield, hoping to hide from the Germans. This was ineffective and we were discovered. We were lined up and faced with a row of German soldiers, on motorbikes, all pointing guns at us. We all thought we were going to be shot. The Soldier in charge was an S.S. Officer in a very smart uniform, he spoke English."
Only a few survivors managed to escape but in the confusion no one could give us the complete story. Many men who where posted missing were assumed to have been killed.
Lieut. J. H. Nicholls
(15 Platoon)
Corporal G. W. Wheeler's wife Bessie was informed her husband had been killed in action and there was a report in the local newspaper. However, he was still very much alive and had been taken prisoner.
Extract below from the local Newspaper:
Local War Casualties
Killed in action
Cpl. G. Wheeler
Mrs Wheeler, Yew Tree House, Gibb Lane, Catshill, has been notified that her husband, Cpl. Gilbert Wheeler, Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action on May 29th. Hw was nineteen years of age and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Wheeler, 29 Cobnall Road, Catshill. His father served with the Worcesters in the last war, and has been prominent in the British Legion movement at Catshill. Cpl. Wheeler worked at Austin's, was a keen sportsman. He played football for Bell Swifts, Northfield, and was a P.T. instructor in Bromsgrove Territorials. He leaves a widow, formerly Miss Bessie Kimberley, Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove, and an 18 month old son.
Corporal Wheelers uncle
Private William Leonard Alfred Wheeler was also serving with the 8th
Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. He had been killed a few days earlier on
the 21st May 1940.
Private William L. A. Wheeler (5252100)
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin)
He was initially reported missing, but was much later
confirmed killed in action. His body was never found and he is
remembered
with others on the Dunkirk Memorial (Column
58).
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler
Wrongly reported as killed in action
L/Cpl. Leslie Harold Wright (5247568) was also initially reported incorrectly as killed in action. His family were later notified he had been captured and was in a P.O.W. camp.
Below are extracts from the local newspaper:
ONE OF SIX BROTHERS SERVING
One of six brothers who were serving with the Colours at the outbreak of war, L-Cpl. Leslie Harold Wright, Worcestershire Regiment of Barley Mow Lane, Catshill is reported killed in action on May 29th ............., and married to Miss Winifred Hughes, Catshill, seven years ago. There is one daughter age 2½ years. He was employed at Austin Works as a metal sawyer, and was particularly in the days of peace on the game of darts. He played in the Royal Oak (Catshill) League team. L-Cpl. Wright was home on leave on May 15th, and was last heard of on May 24th. Two of his brothers, Cpl. Stanley Wright and Pte. Archie Wright, who are also in the Worcesters, were evacuated from Dunkirk. Stanley saw him near the Belgian coast. The other brothers, sons of Mrs. Peplow, 231 Broad Street, Sidemoor, who are on active service are Pte. Cliff Wright, Worcestershire Regiment, 1st Class Stoker Cyril Wright, Royal Navy; and orderly Seaman Dennis Wright, Royal Navy. The youngest son, Horace Wright, has registered for Military duty and expects to be called up.
*
* * * *
At the time the following reference was printed in the local newspaper:
SGT.-MAJOR A. A. BOTT
Official notification has been received of the death in action of Sergeant-Major Alfred Alexander Bott, Worcestershire Regiment. Before the war Sergeant-Major Bott was sergeant instructor at Redditch.
His body was also never found and he is remembered
with others on the Dunkirk Memorial (Column 57). He was age 34.
PHOTOS FROM PRISONER OF
WAR CAMPS
Stalag VIIIB (Stalag 344)
"After a time they were marched for many many miles to Luxemburg. I had no boots and by half way my feet were cut and covered in blisters, this was the same for the others too. The result of this would mean pain in my feet for the rest of my life.
Life in the Camp was austere and food not good. We ate whatever we could get our hands on. Made cigarettes from dried grass and pages from books. It took a long time to realise that freedom was not coming soon. The camaraderie of the prisoners was of paramount importance. We had to work at the cement factory, hard and dirty work, then later at a sugar factory where conditions were a little better.
Recreation was football when allowed. I also learned how to play poker and win! Though the winnings were not a lot. In time I became ‘the tailor’ having learned how to sew and was able to provide clothes for the others, made from anything going.
There was a time too, when I worked in the Red Cross hut, which was a good place to be…………………
Fraternising with the enemy was not tolerated, even though we had to come into contact with local people at the sugar factory. Anyone found being ‘friendly’ was severely punished and their names put on a notice board for all to see.
On some days the white ash that fell all over the camp was dreadful. It got into our food, eyes and all over everything. This was reported by the guards as being from the cattle burning some miles away. I later found that this was not true and the ash was due to the burning of people.
The POW had to try to escape, it was our duty and all sorts of methods were tried to do this. None of them succeeded for me, but a few men got away!!"
POW'S at Oppeln. Cement Factory (1941)
Arbeitskommandos - E17
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler back row (full row) second
from the left.
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
In 1943, the Lamsdorf P.O.W. camp was split up, and many of the prisoners (and Arbeitskommandos) were transferred to two new base camps Stalag VIII-C Sagan and Stalag VIII-D Teschen. The base camp at Lamsdorf was re-numbered Stalag 344.
The majority of men held in Stalag VIIIB were not in the main camp but in smaller working camps known as arbeitskommandos. These where numbered and prefixed with the letter "E" which stands for English, but POW's from many Commonwealth countries worked in these camps to.
In letters from Corporal G. W. Wheeler there is reference to two of these arbeitskommandos where he worked, namely;
E17 - Oppeln. Cement Factory
E283 - Ratibor (sugar mill)
German POW Camp Guards, Stalag VIIIB (1941)
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
Camp Concert - Stalag VIIIB (1942)
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler is second from the left
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
Front cover of letter sent by Corporal Gerald William Wheeler from Stalag
VIIIB (24th May 1942)
Note the reference to Arbeitskommandos E17
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
Letter from Cpl. G. W. Wheeler to wife Bessie (1942)
(submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter)
24/5/42
My Darling Bessie,
I received a letter from you last week, I'm sorry to hear you & Paul have been ill, but I hope you are better now, how is everyone at home. I'm still well & fit so dont worry darling, & I think we shall soon be together again. I've enclosed a photo in this of myself, Steve Outhwaite the shoe minder, & Lionel Breskal the interpreter, I hope you will like it.
Sweetheart never forget for one minute that I love you, your always in my thoughts, & I know you love me.
Note:
The other POW's mentioned in the letter;
Cpl. Steve Outhwaite (2589525) was from the Royal Signals. Private Lionel R. Breskal (6143297) was from the east Surrey Regiment.
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler, Cpl. S. Outhwaite and Pte. L. R. Breskal
(photo mentioned in the letter above)
(submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. Wheeler)
Location of Stalag VIIIB (Lamsdorf)
The town of Radibor can be seen about 40 mile south of Stalag VIIIB near the Czech Republic border. It was here that Cpl. G. W. Wheeler worked at Sugar Mill in 1944. This region of Poland is known as Upper Silesia.
1942
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler first row, second from right.
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
Oppeln. 1942
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler far
right.
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
POW's who were working at the Oppeln. Cement Factory (1942)
(Arbeitskommandos - E17)
Corporal Gilbert William Wheeler (5250845) far right, middle row.
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
POW's at Ratibor Sugar Factory (1944)
Arbeitskommandos - E283
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
Reverse side of the above photo at Ratibor Sugar Factory (1944)
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
Corporal Gilbert William Wheeler resting at the Ratibor Sugar Factory (1943)
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
8th Battalion 'C' Company men at Porthcawl Annual Camp (August 1938)
Bill Bratt, Len Young, Les Wright, Bert Wheeler and Bill Baker.
(Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler at the front left kneeling)
On Sunday 31st July 1938 the 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
proceeded by train to Camp at Porthcawl. At the time the company strength
was 87 men all ranks.
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
50th Year reunion of 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, 'C' Company
(Friday 1st
September 1989)
50th Year reunion of 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, 'C' Company
held at D.D.S. & S. Club, Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove (Friday 1st
September 1989)
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G.
W. Wheeler)
EARLIER PHOTOS (1936-38)
'C' Company Athletic Team,
Weymouth 1936
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler sitting front left
(photo submitted by Suzanne
Macklin, daughter)
Poem
Written by Paul Wheeler
(son of Cpl. G. W. Wheeler)
“For you the war is over”
As time goes by and I grow old,
I often remember the stories Dad told.
He was just sixteen when he joined the T.A.
With devotion to duty,
Promotion came his way.
Later, he joined the Worcester’s
With Uncle Len.
His Father’s young brother,
Who never came home again.
It was January 1940
When they sailed to Le Havre
To face the unknown
Went those brave hearts.
The first night they camped,
The weather so cold,
That Dad’s boots had frozen
To the floor, so he told.
From January ‘til May
There was a period of calm,
Soon to be shattered by a call to arms.
Then came the orders
To move up the line.
Into Belgium, to face those men from the Rhine.
But French and British Generals
Would have to think again
As a thousand German tanks
Burst through the Ardennes.
Dad’s section of the Worcester’s
Were ordered to retreat
But on the 29th May, were captured
In a field of wheat.
He was 12 miles from Dunkirk ,
At a place called Bambecque,
But the new commanding officer
Had Jack boots on his feet,
SS on his collar,
The Iron Cross on his tanks.
But his days would soon be numbered,
Thanks to Monty and the Yanks.
“For you the war is over”
So this Officer said.
As they gathered on the roadside
For the long march that lay ahead.
From Northern France
To Luxemburg, with little food to eat,
They walked for days and days on end
Some with very little on their feet.
The day they entered Luxemburg
Weary, weak and lame.
Dad’s final destination was
To Poland on a German train.
For the next five years, behind barbed wire,
This was to be their fate.
So they had to make the best of things
Freedom would have to wait.
They played football games
To help keep fit.
At Christmas put on a panto too,
And Dad sang his favourite song
‘Keep smiling through’.
As the years went by they never lost hope.
Liberation was not far away
And it came so unexpectedly
On a glorious Summer's day.
In the distance near the edge of a wood,
They saw something move.
Out of the woods came a roar of thunder
And a thousand galloping hooves.
‘Cossacks’ shouted some of the men,
It’s the Russians, we are free.
It was a sight Dad said he would never forget.
The rest is History!
On the 12th August 1936, the 8th Battalion marched to Portland Docks, a distance of 9 miles to embark on H.M.S. Walpole and H.M.S. Vanquisher for a combined exercise with the Royal Navy. As soon as embarkation was completed the ships steamed out of harbour and across the bay along the Dorset coast eventually arriving at Ringstead Bay and then the men came ashore in 4 small vessels and assembled on high ground above the beach.
During Camp, on the 6th August 1936, 'C' Company Athletic Team won the Battalion Sports Cup by a large margin. On the 15th August the Brigade Sports were held and the 8th Battalion won the Sports Trophy for the second year in succession.
The Battalion broke Camp on the 16th August 1936.
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler at Porthcawl Camp (August 1938)
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter)