220214 Pte. Ernest Gomer Headon British Army 1st Btn Royal Welch from:Ystalyfera, Glamorgan (d.23rd March 1945) My Uncle, Gomer Headon, was captured in Crete in 1941 and spent the rest of the war in Stalag 8C (prisoner no. 6312). The family say that he died of peritonitis on the forced March out of Poland the day before the column was liberated by the Americans. If anyone has any information, no matter how trivial about my uncle, I would be so grateful.
It is said that when the Germans closed in on Suda Bay in Crete, Gomer (as they family knew him) escaped into the White Mountains with a few other soldiers (presumably trying to reach the British base there) and they managed to evade capture for a few weeks. They were captured when they saw an advancing German troops and tried to take shelter in a cave. Sadly they were driven out of the cave by hornets and captured. His best friend was called Ritchie and he survived the war. While he was in Stalag 8C he cast a lead cap badge of the The Royal Welch. This is still in my mother's possession.
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