Work Camp 296/L & 233/L
Work Camp 296/L & 233/L |
|
Location: Ratkersburg
Type of work: Farm work/Road work
Men of Confidence: Sgt R Nancarrow & P.Off. E Collins
Number of Men: 24
Forename |
Surname |
Rank |
Unit |
POW |
Comments |
| Sam | Brearley | Cpl | RASC | 5925 | Bacup, UK; transf'd to Stalag 383 |
| Ed | Collins | Petty Off. | RN | 7629 | MOC (1943) |
| Haven John | Collins | Pte | 4 Res. M.T. Coy | 4704 | New Zealand (possible) |
| John Leonard | Dickinson | Tpr | RAC | 6178 | Hull; also 1971/L |
| Jim | Mollinson | Pte | 2/6 Inf. Bn. | 4774 | Australia |
| Rich V | Nancarrow | Cpl | 2NZEF | 4705 | New Zealand; MOC (1943) |
| Dick | Parsons | Gnr | RA | 4209 | |
| Norman | Scott | L/Cpl | CMP | 5924 | Bacup, UK; capt'd Kalamata |
| John Dermott (Snowy) | Troy | Pte | 25 Bn. | 3976 | New Zealand; murdered 14.5.42 (Weinberg) |
| Ernie | Walker | Pte | RAVC | 4372 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
General Description
These two commandos live in a former oil mill since 5.2.43. There are 24 men, all working in various farmhouses of the district.
Interior arrangement
These sleep in a very big room on ordinary iron beds. Two iron stoves of a good size furnish sufficient heat and can be used for the cooking of private food.
Bathing and washing facilities
These are adequate. Once a week the men can have hot showers in the military barracks of Ratkersburg.
Food and Cooking
The food is prepared in the farms where they work.
Medical attention and sickness
When a prisoner of war gets ill he is allowed to go to a civilian doctor in town. The local military hospital is also at the disposal of the two camps. There is some delay actually in dental care, as the local civilian dentist has too many civilians to deal with. The delegates suggested to send the worst cases to the dental station in Wagna.
Clothing
The clothing question in these two commandos is being resolved in the coming week, i.e. they will get their second uniform from Graz presently.
Complaints
In this camp, Saturday afternoon is not free and the cleaning of the rooms was done on Sundays. From now on 4 Orderlies will do the cleaning on Saturdays in an established turn.
Serious complaints were brought to the inspectors' knowledge about the German NCO in charge of this camp. The commander of the guards battalion who speaks fluent English interviewed Sgt Nancarrow privately. The NCO in question will be discharged of his command consecutively to Nancarrow's revelations.
General impression
This camp will be very good, if the new German NCO is up to his task. The two British Men of Confidence are very capable and the spirit of the men is reasonably high.
