David Birch is a local lecturer who has been researching the Von Werra
Incident for four years. He has made the following appeal for information or
photographs of the following persons:-
I am researching the incident whereby the German
prisoner of war Franz von Werra escaped from Swanwick PoW Camp in
December 1940 and after making his way to Hucknall aerodrome tried to steal an
aircraft in an effort to get back behind his own lines. After escaping from
the camp he found himself at the Codnor Park LMS station where he spoke to a
number of people including the police.
I am trying to obtain
photographs of all those that came into contact with von Werra that day. I
have pictures of some of them but still require five more. They are: Richard
William HARRIS of 34 South Street, Riddings, and William ROBBINS of 73
Greenhill Lane, Riddings, both railwaymen. The addresses are contemporary
with the event. Three of the policemen that interviewed von Werra at the
station were from the Alfreton Station. They were Superintendent PIKE and
constables Frank PEGG and Andrew HILL.
I have been told that none of
these five people are still alive, but I am hopeful that there are
members of the their families still living in the district. If anyone can
assist me in locating them I would be grateful. I can be contacted at 36
Portree Drive, Rise Park, Nottingham NG5 5DS, Telephone 0115 927 1214, e-mail dbirch@lindavia.fsnet.co.uk
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