Sergeant Douglas Taylor
British Army
from:Inchmarlo
I was recently given some photographs by my mother that belonged to my grandad, Sgt Douglas Taylor P.O.W. 17698 Stalag XXA (3) May 1943. I grew up with them in Aberdeen and this was the first time I’d ever seen the photos. My grandad sadly passed away in the early 1980’s. I feel duty bound to see that they get posted into the public domain so that someone may see their loved ones. I hope that these photos can prove to be as invaluable to others as they have been for me, by providing a window into my grandad's life as a P.O.W.
One photo taken prior to the war showed his prowess at football, he won 4 trophies in a year with Abergeldie FC: Winners of “The Bon-Accord League Championship”, Orion Challenge Trophy, X.L Cup and the Hay Cup in Season 1930-31
At Stalag XXA, my grandad was in the Scotland Team against England. He is 3rd from the left on the front row with the bald head. There are photos of both teams – only the names of the Scotland team were recorded on the reverse of the photo.
My grandad sent the photos and postcards to my grandma in Inchmarlo in Kincardineshire. Sgt Douglas Taylor was a cook in the Army and was given the P.O.W. number 17698. I don’t know which Division or Brigade he served in or even his service number, only that these photos are from Stalag XXA. The photos are date stamped 1943 on the reverse with M-Stammlager XXA Gepruft 19. There are several photos of plays, orchestras, boxing and even one of prisoners playing table tennis. One photo shows the Graudenz Dance Band. Sadly there are also photos of funerals including two for Bob Park, a comrade of 153rd TA RAMC. In one of the photos it mentioned Col. McKay and Capt. Blanthorne in attendance at this sad occasion. Another photo is the funeral of Danny Faulds in 1942 There’s a postcard with my grandad at the head of the table in what looks like a birthday party as there is a cake with his name and a few plates of what appears to be pastries!
