Page 115 - WW1 - 1917

Redditch Local History Society Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1

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The Birmingham Daily Mail – Friday 28 September 1917

Redditch Prisoner of War’s Experiences in Germany - Amongst the
repatriated prisoners of war who recently reached England is Lance-corporal William Linvell
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whose home is at 144 Lodge Road, Redditch. Linvell was a reservist of the 2 Royal
Warwickshire Regiment, and was employed as a porter-guard on the Midland Railway at
Redditch. He was taken prisoner at Ypres, on October 31, 1914, when all the regiment was
practically wiped out except two officers and nine men, who were all taken. The first night
was spent in a church at Menin, after which they passed three days in cattle trucks, each
containing between 60 and 70 soldiers, many being wounded. He spent periods at Gustrov,
Altdamn, and Schniedmuhl, and at each place food consisted of black bread and fish soup.
All were subjected to very rough usage from the guards, and he was almost starved to death
when his first parcel reached him from England. He states that the prisoners generally
received parcels sent them, but letters were more uncertain. He was once or twice hit with
whips, and told he had to be hung up by the neck. Until he left his last camp for Switzerland
he was with another Redditch soldier (Lance-corporal J. Gregory), who was forced to work
down a mine, and two Birmingham Lance-corporals were also at the same places, their
names being Jefferies and Tolley. On the food question he thought farmers in Germany got
on very well, but the bulk of civilians were short, as the greater part of what was produced
was commandeered for the army.

© RLHS 2014 Page: 115