224188 Pte. Aubert Charles "Ticker" Bedford Australian Army 2/4 Btn. from:Sydney, Australia Aubert Charles Bedford (my Dad ) was born on the 19th Oct 1919, at Annandale ,Australia, the youngest son of Walter & Annie Bedford. He enlisted at Victoria Barracks, Sydney on the 5th January, 1940.
I remember Dad telling me how his division got separated in Italy and he soon realised he was surrounded with Germans all around. He did go some time before his capture, local farmers giving him bread and cheese to eat. Dad did say the Germans were better with POW's than the Japanese, His dear and only brother died in Burma Railway at the hands of the Japanese.
Finally on his capture, he was sent off to Wolfsberg Stalag 18 POW Camp. He made many friends from England, New Zealand and Australia. One life long friend, his best mate Lyn Phillips, they shared a wonderful friendship not only in the Pow Camp but through out their lives.
One thing I do remember Dad said they created their own Concerts. Dad had the most beautiful voice. He sounded exactly like Bing Crosby! His mates all said he was Bing the 2nd. Ticker Bedford they called him - Aubrey another name!
He said the weather in Austria was freezing, certainly nothing like winters in Australia. It would have been awful for 4 years.
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