Curtain Calls

Between 1942 and early 1944, the prisoners in Stalag 18A and its satellite work camps embraced the opportunity to entertain themselves with musical theatre, pantomines and plays. It was the perfect outlet for the ‘creatives’ - the singers, musicians and amateur lotharios. But there was also a role for stage hands includung carpenters, commercial artists, tailors, and electricians.

At Wolfsberg there was a group dedicated to printing sheet music, building props, and provide costumes. They worked through the Red Cross to obtain the scores and scripts from England. Each of the larger camps had a concert committee who were responsible for liaising with Wolfsberg, arranging auditions, casting, and helping out with the production and direction of each of the shows.

My father Kevin was not a participant, but he enjoyed being in the audience. He purchased lots of ‘snaps’ using his pfennigs from his wages to pay for them. And on the back he meticulously recorded the date(s) and the names of the cast, musicians, and stagehands. The photos were taken by the prisoners themselves. The lack of  tripods, flash phography and the limited stage lighting did not always result in a sharp photograph but nevertheless they did and amazing job.

At any one time, Klagenfurt held 250 POWs, more or less. In those days, there were far more musicians among the population than there is today. In the absence of television, people were much more creative when it came to entertaining themselves. Hence there were no shortaage of instrumentalists. The instruments were donated and passed on through the Red Cross. Some were purchased localy, the piano for instance, by the men pooling their meagre wages.

From the names on the back of the photographs, I can see that British POWs were the predominant cast members. The Aussies and Kiwis were happier doing the backstage jobs. I guess this was a cultural thing.

The German captors, while they could, were more than happy to provide the infrastructure for the stage shows. Their support included providing printing facilities, transporting producers and directors to the various camps, and the transport to take the ‘show on the road.’ Keeping prisoners busy in their free time  had obvious security benefits. Busy prisoners would not have time to dig tunnels,.

Gunner R 'Taffy' Soper was a member of the Royal Artillery, Service No. 2051538, POW No. 3456

Gunner William 'Bill' Reid was a member of the Australian 2/4 Infantry Battalion, Service No. NX5324, POW No. 5423

Private Walter (Wally) Keast was a member of the 1Australian 2/6 Battalion, Service number was VX35976. Wally was born in the Melbourne suburb of Kensington on 16 Oct 1907. Post-war he worked for Victorian Railways in Melbourne and later at Camperdown, Victoria. He died in Terang, Victoria in 1990 aged 83.

Private Jim Stroud was a member of the Australian 2/8 Battalion, Service No. VX6495, POW No. 3749. Jim was later relocated to Stalag 383 at Hohen Fels, Germany between Nuremberg and Regensburg. Jim was born in the Melbourne suburb of Ivanhoe on 7 May 1917. He died about 19 Jul 1971 aged 54.

Private Ivo 'Heck' Lanham was a member of 6th Division Petrol Company, Australian Army Ordinance Corps. Service No TX1232, POW No 7105.

Driver Jim Seed was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. T/178598, POW No. 3299.

Driver Harry Quarry was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. S/197182, POW No. 3178.

Taffy Jones (unable to identify).

Private John Onius (Jack) Turton served in the Australian 2/2 Infantry Battalion, Service No. NX8984, POW No. 3539. He born at Lake Cargelligo, New South Wales on 8 Sep 1917. Post-war he was a labourer in Jerilderie, NSW. He died 12 Sep 1968. He was 51.

Lance Corporal Edward 'Ted' Hanger was a member of 1 Corps Petroleum Park, Australian Army Ordinance Corps, Service No. VX27121, POW No. 3940. Ted was born in South Melbourne on 21 Aug 1913. Post-war he kived in the Melbourne suburb of Rosanna. He was employed as an iron foundry worker and later as a salesman. He died aged 80 on 8 Apr 1994 in Melbourne.

In December 1943, the camp produced three shows, including the Christmas pantomime. The first one was the drama "Ten Minute Alibi."

Private Ivor Hudson was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. S/154028, POW No. 2540.

Driver Tom Powell was a member of Royal Signals, Service No. 1331543, POW No. 644.

Driver Bertram 'Ron' De Knock was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. T/186044, POW No. 3447. Ronnie was an enthusiastic member of the theatre group, appearing in multiple shows. In 1947, Ronnie emigrated to Australia, settling in Brisbane. He was born in 1914 and died in Brisbane on 18 Jan 1993. He was 79

Lance Bombardier Skinner was a member of the Royal Artillery. An Englishman, he was born 16 Dec 1919.

Gunner Ted Law was a member of the Royal Artillery, Service No 2080329, POW 1879.

Driver Les Scott was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. T/162897, POW No. 1581.

Private Edward (Ted) O'Leary, NX1768, was a member of the Australia 2/2 Infantry Battalion. Ted was born in Sydney, NSW on 9 Apr 1918. Post-war he was a farmer near Barraba, a town in the New England region of northern New South Wales. He died 15 Aug 2006. He was 88.

Driver Ron Richards was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. T/67788, POW No. 3349.

Driver Bertram 'Ron' De Knock (see above)

Private Ivor Hudson (see above)

Driver Tom Powell (see above)

Then, on the 13 and 14 of December, the camp held the production "Flying High."

Private 'Taffy' Jenkins was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps. His service number was S/174253 and his POW No. was 6307.

Signalman Ken 'Jock' Purvis was a member of New Zealand Signals, Service No. 4702, POW No. 7924.

Private Fredrick France Clifton was a member of the 2/3 Battalion, 16th Brigade. His service number was NX14146. Fred was born in Sydney, NSW on 14 Jul 1917. Post-war he was a plant operator. He lived in Lane Cove. Sydney.

Driver John (Jack) Wilmot was a member of the Royal Engineers, Service No. 2012601, POW No. 5774.

Driver Ralph Dennis was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. 188714, POW No. 3533.

Private Jim Speake was a member of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Service No. 398125, POW No. 1179. Jim must had a fine voicc. He featured as a solist in a number of shows.

I'm guessing the Veterinary Corps is a 'leftover' from much earlier days in the British Army. Can anyone tell me what the role of Vet Corps soldiers was in WW2?

Driver Tom Day was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps. His service number was S/52734, POW No. 2801.

Gunner Maplesden was a member of the Royal Artillery, Service No. 1463663, POW No. 5933.

Sapper Jock Gordon was a member of the Royal Engineers, Service No. 1930319, POW No. 5635.

Lance Corporal Ernie Midwood was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps. His service number was T/155988, POW No. was 2436.

Gunner Maurice Quigan was a member of New Zealand Artillery, Service No. 1994, POW No. 4240. Born in 1915, he died at Palmerston North on 20 Apr 1995 aged 80.

Lance Corporal T Taylor was a member of the Lancaster Fusiliers. His service number was 3453780,POW No. was 7290.

Sapper Edward Chatterley was a member of the Royal Engineers, Service No. 2090040, POW No. 2009.

Private Lionel Bigmore was a member of the Australian 2/6 Battalion. His service number was VX38220.

Private Westbrook was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. 174379, POW No. 2785.

Private 'Snow' Baillie was a member of the Durham Light Infantry, Service No. 2825067, POW No. 6393.

Lance Corporal Archie Kerr was a member of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, Service No. 4273376, POW No. 8160.

Sapper Watson was a member of the Royal Engineers, Service No. 1930570, POW No. 1615.

Driver J.L. Whittet was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. 220843, POW No. 3523.

Lance Corporal John Slack was a member of the Reconnaissance Corps, Service No. 7887955, POW No. 5701.

Driver H. 'Al' Bevis was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. 199787, POW No. 1347.

Trooper Bassett was a member of the Reconnaissance Corps, Service No. 788857, POW No. 5942.

Driver Maurice Fisher was a member of the Royal Engineers. His service number was 2002679, POW No. 1586.

1943 Christmas Pantomime

Driver John (Jack) Wilmot (see above).

Driver Angus McDougall was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. T/163216, POW No. 1730.

Driver H. 'Al' Bevis  (see above)

Driver Andy McNeill was a member of Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. T/1622504, POW No. 1608.

Driver Angus McDougall was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. T/163216, POW No. 1730.

Driver Les Scott (see above)

Sapper Alf Lawton was a member of the Royal Engineers, Service No. 2002455, POW No. 1601.

Private 'Taffy' Jenkins (see above).

Lance Corporal John Slack was a member of the Reconnaissance Corps, Service No. 7887955, POW No. 5701.

Gunner J Chadwick was a member of the Royal Artillery, Service No. 870709, POW No. 4535. Note: Kevin Byrne refers to this man as Leonard on the back of a photograph (not this one) however there is no L Chadwick recorded as a POW at Wolfsberg. Further, there were three 18A Chadwick's to choose from. I chose this man as his POW No was the closest to the majority of Klagenfurt POW numbers. It's very possible though that the identification I have given this 'Leonard' Chadwick is not correct.

Driver Bertram 'Ron' De Knock (see above)

Lance Sergeant Francis William "Herb" Murray was a member of the 2/3 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, service number WX77. Herb was born in Newcastle, England on 19 Sep 1911.

Driver Reg Holford was member of the Royal Army Service Corps his service number was T/172970 and his POW No. was 2296.

Sapper Jock Woods was a member of the Royal Engineers, Service No. 2019833, POW No. 6044.

Driver Johnny Dawson was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps. His service number was 155960. POW No. was 2543.

Private Ivo 'Heck' Lanham. See above.

Driver F.L. Linford was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps. His service number was T/170450, POW No. was 2465.

Private Stuart Spooner was a member of the New Zealand Army, Service No. 24307, POW No. 152.

Driver J Harvey was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps, Service No. T/143330, POW No. 3012.

Solemn Ceremonials

All but a handful of men in the Klagenfurt POW camp had served in the army for less than 18 months before they were captured on the Greece mainland or in Crete. A soldier myself for two years, I was conscripted into the Australian Army and served in South Vietnam as a RAEME craftsman. Most of us conscripts hated Army life, yet when it was required or simply appropriate, we would present ourselves as trained, professional soldiers. And I notice on ANZAC Day each year, when we march down the main street in memory of fallen comrades from all wars, we march in step with shoulders back, fists closed, and thumbs leading. Just as we were taught from the first day of recruit training.

These photos show that the men of 10029/GW in Stalag 18A did precisely the same thing.

Sunday, 1 Nov 1942. Given the date, and the men in the background, this was likely a rehersl for the upcoming Armistice Day parade. The soldier in the lead us Sgt Stuart Stubbings, the Man of Confidence.

This is possibly an Armistace Parade from a year earlier, 1941. The soldier leading the parade is perhaps Alan Stockfeld, the first MOC. The soldier carrying the wreath on the left appears to be Mick Cyster (who wasn't a soldier but a cabin boy from a merchant ship when he was catpured at Crete). The other solder is from New Zealand's Maori Battalion.

The photos above and below were taken on Wednesday, 9 Feb 1944 (normally a work day). It was the occasion of Mick Cyster's funeral. Mick died from wounds received during a bomb rais when he was deployed on a work party on the Lend Canal. Below: The MOC Sgt Stubbings leads the parade to the cemetery in company with John Legerwood.

POW Profiles

Private Robert (Bob) Behan was among the younger men in the camp. He was born at Bellingen, NSW in 1919. He served in the 2/2 Battalion and was captured at Kalamata. Post-war, Robert was a member of the NSW Police. He served in Nimbin and in Sydney. He married Lorna Thompson (1927-2000) at Petersham in 1946.They had six daughters. Bob died on Xmas Day, 1983 in Campbelltown, NSW. He was 64.

Private Lionel Bigmore was a member of the 17th's Brigade's 2/6 Battalion. He was living at Pimborneit East when he enlisted on 12 Aug 1940. He was captured at Kalamata. Lionel was born in Geelong, Victoria on 10 Jul 1916 and grew up in nearby Drysdale. He married soon after returning to Australia and for a few years did farm work. In the early fifties he got a position with the City of Geelong West's public works department and remained there until he retired. Lionel died on 11 Apr 2008. he was 91.

Corporal Stuart Loxley Bradley was an infantry soldier in the New Zealand Army’s Expeditionary Force, Service No. 30445. He was born in 1915 in Auckland. Stuart died 25 Jun 1993 aged 78.

Driver Bernard Cashmore was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps. He was born in Aston, England in 1906. He enlisted in the Army in 1924 and served seven years in the Dorsetshire Regiment, then a further five years as a reservist. When WW2 broke out, he was married with 2 daughters. He joined the Royal Army Service Corps and served in France and Egypt before being posted to Greece. He was captured by the Germans at Kalamata on the eve of his 35th birthday. Bernard was in work camps in Zollfeld and Steindorf before arriving at Klagenfurt in July 1942 where he remained until liberation.

Corporal Arthur Roy Neil Dobson served in Australia's 2/7 Infantry Battalion. He was born in Meriden, England in 1918 and immigrated to Australia in 1928 with his family as a 10-year-old. Prior to embarking for Greece, Roy  was transferred to the 17th Brigade and put in charge of the Officer's Mess and promoted to Corporal. Roy was captured at Kalamata and was allocated to work in the Hatheyer Soap Factory in Klagenfurt. After repatriation to Australia, Roy re-enlisted in the army and was sent to England for post-armistice service. He was discharged from the army in England on 25 Jun 1947. Roy remained in England living in the Stafford in the Midlands. He died there in 1972 aged 54.

Gunner Robert Dickson Douglas, Bob, was a member of the Royal Artillery, Service No. 1518634. 

Private John Dowrick was a member of Australia’s 2/8th Battalion. Before enlisting, he was a fitter at the railway workshops at in Mildura. Jack was born in St Arnaud, Victoria in 1905. He was single at the time but married the girl he was courting when the war ended. Jack was known as Pop in the camp. He was among the older prisoners. He fought at Tobruk where he was lightly wounded in January 1941. In October 1944 Jack, suffering from a duodenal ulcer, was sent to the POW hospital at Spittal. Post-war, Jack was a boilermaker for Victorian Railways at Ballarat. He died in 1971 aged 65.

Private Harold George "Winks" Malcolm served in the 2/2 Infantry Battalion. He was born in Taree, NSW in 1917. Post war, in 1947, he married Daphne Witchard. He lived in Sydney and was employed as a storeman. He died in 1992 aged 75. 

Private John Edward McHale was a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps. John was born in 1919. He was a Hotel Chef when he enlisted in the British Army on 4 Apr 1940. He was captured in Tripolis on 28 Apr 1941. He was in 10029/GW at Klagenfurt from 3 Apr 1943 to 2 May 1944 when he was transferred to another work party at a paper mill, 75/GW.

Lance Corporal Bernard Ryan served with the 2/1 Infantry Battalion. Bernard landed in Greece with his unit on 22 Mar 1941. His battalion was evacuated by sea from Megara on 25 April. It landed on Crete the next day and was subsequently deployed with the 2/11th Battalion to defend the airfield at Retimo. Against an overwhelming German force and, short of rations and ammunition, the 2/1st surrendered and became prisoners of war. Bernard was born in Newcastle, New South Wales in 1917. Post-war he was a public servant. He married and worked in Sydney. He died in 1995 aged 77.

Corporal Gilbert Conyard was a member of the 2/3 Battalion. He was born in 1910 in the Sydney suburb of Hurlstone Park. He married in 1929 when aged 19. During his internment at Klagenfurt, Gil was assigned to work in a factory where he formed a relationship with Ida, a Slovenian office employee. They had a daughter together. Gil promised to bring Ida and Breda to Australia. When he returned to home, he and his wife divorced. Soon after, he fell ill and was hospitalised. He married the nurse who tended him in hospital but the marriage never survived and he divorced for the second time. Sadly, on 31 Jan 1950 in Bondi, Sydney, Gilbert took his life. He was 39. Some years later, a fellow POW, Geoffrey Skinner, a friend of Gilbert's, visited Ida and her daughter, Breda. Geoffrey and his wife provided friendship and moral support to Ida over a number of years and hosted Breda when she worked in England for a time.

Back: Bernard Ryan and Winks Malcolm. Front: Bert Bruce and Bill Cassidy. picture - Australian War Memorial

Gunner William Edward 'Bill' Cassidy was a member of the 2/3 Light Anti-Aircraft, Royal Australian Artillery. Bill was born in Koondrook, Victoria in 1912. He enlisted at Stanhope on 1 Jul 1940. Post-war, Bill lived in Chiltern, Victoria and worked at the local flour mill. He died in Albury, NSW in 2001. He was 89. Bill is the son of former ABC journalist, Barrie Cassidy. Click Here to read "My Father's Story."