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234647
Flt.Sgt. William Patrick Croston
South African Air Force
from:Newport
My great uncle, William Croston, was a prisoner at Stalag Luft 6. He never spoke about his time there. The only story I have was second hand.
My grandmother (his sister) had been told that he was missing and, I believe presumed dead. However, she was convinced that he was still alive.
One day there was a knock at her door in Newport and a man she had never seen before said "Are you Will Croston's sister?" She said yes and the man told her he was in a POW camp with Will but had escaped and to say he was alive and said he would come home.
She was so shocked she just said "thank you", burst into tears and the man walked away - she didn't even ask his name. We never did find out who he was but she thought he was Welsh, probably from outside of Newport.
When Will came home he was in a very bad state, He was painfully thin and couldn't eat solid food for a long time. It took a toll on him. He never really settled anywhere.