Sgt. Ronald Chambers MM
Australian Army 2/8th Field Regiment Australian Engineers
from:Kew, Victoria, Australia
I have a handmade photo album containing photographs and art work from prisoners held in Stalag XIIIC and Stalag XXA (357). The album is constructed from pieces of wood from a Red Cross box, handmade aluminium hinges, a 1940 drawing pad, and all tied together with a piece of leather strap. From the little bits of information on the back of some of the photos I have identified a few of the guys. All are from the Australian 9th Div, 2/8th Field Company (Engineers) captured on Crete:
- Fred Chambers
- Ron Chambers MM
- Allan Selwood
- Bob Maguire
- Oswald Wall
Oswald Wall is mentioned in the book "Silk and Bard Wire" in the chapter dealing with a radio/airgunner's escape, by Hamish Philson. Living in the RAF compound, Hamish switched uniforms with Oswald during a camp soccer match. Oswald then went into the RAF compound and Hamish went to the soldiers’ compound, which was apparently less well guarded.
One of the photos shows a group in soccer/sports gear with a German guard in the background. The hand-drawn menu lists several guests on the back, Oswald being one of them. The photo I like the most is the one of the guys inside the wooden hut, a glimpse of daily life in very trying times.
