Albert Derbyshire, born on 12^th June 1920, was the son of Richard and Annie Derbyshire.  He came from a big family, being one of seventeen children.  Albert’s sister Elsie (m. Bullock) has very kindly furnished us with the following information. 

Before joining up Albert worked at the James Oakes & Co Pyehill Colliery.  

In 1940 he was ‘reported as missing from a date unknown’.  He had been with the B.E.F. since October.  By this time Albert’s mother Annie was widowed and living in Edward Avenue, Jacksdale. A communication from the Army Records Office in January 1941 states that on 3^rd June 1940, Albert was captured at St Omer, Dunkirk.  He was wounded at time of capture and had been admitted to Stalag XXA, Poland on 21^st July 1940 as Prisoner of War number 18781. In October 1941, he was transferred to Stalag XXB, Marzenberg, East Prussia. Albert was transferred from camp to camp, even working on a Polish farm at one time. 

After enduring four and a half years as a Prisoner of War, Albert died on Friday 19^th January 1945, aged only 24 years.  

He is commemorated on The Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France.