Another to be held captive at Stalag XXA for a time was Corporal George Walton who lived at the Oaks, Evenwood.   ER&DHS received extracts from his war time diary from his son John.

Over the course of the war, George was held at 5 different POW Camps.  The address of Russell’s sister, Doreen, is recorded on a page in his diary, along with many other addresses.  We assume that George must have met Russell during his time at Stalag XXA and noted Doreen’s address as a point of contact. 

Above: Detail from George Walton’s diary showing other POW Camps (Stalags) in which, presumably, he was held.

Above: Doreen Bell’s address was found in George’s diary

There is also a list of 12 soldiers in George’s diary.  All are DLI men and top of the list is Private A.R. Brown. This was Ray Brown, from Evenwood, who was killed in action.  In fact, all 12 were killed in action. POWs must have learnt the fate of their comrades and George duly recorded the names.  George Walton possibly held some position in Camp administration for him to hold this type of information.

Above: A list of 12 DLI men.

George’s brother Private John Walton was mentioned in one of Russell Bell’s postcards home.  He was also captured and held as a POW elsewhere. There are photos of 2 POWS groups:

Above: George Walton is back row, far left.

Above: 20 November 1943, believed to be John Walton standing far right.

After the war, George Walton [1915-1995] left Evenwood for Nottinghamshire to find work in the pits and his brother John Walton [1913-1973] stayed in south west Durham, living at Butterknowle, initially returning to coal mining then working as a gamekeeper.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many thanks to John & Maria Walton.