from: http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/wr.php?main=inc/h_dunkirk_8thBn_cpl_wheeler
Steve Outhwaite
Front cover of letter sent by Corporal Gerald William Wheeler from Stalag VIIIB (24th May 1942)Note the reference to Arbeitskommandos E17
(photo submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. G. W. Wheeler)
Letter from Cpl. G. W. Wheeler to wife Bessie (1942)
(submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter)
/ Transcript of Corporal G. W. Wheeler's letter to his wife from his POW camp at Stalag VIIIB:
24/5/42
My Darling Bessie,
I received a letter from you last week, I'm sorry to hear you & Paul have been ill, but I hope you are better now, how is everyone at home. I'm still well & fit so dont worry darling, & I think we shall soon be together again. I've enclosed a photo in this of myself, Steve Outhwaite the shoe minder, & Lionel Breskal the interpreter, I hope you will like it.
Sweetheart never forget for one minute that I love you, your always in my thoughts, & I know you love me.
Note:
The other POW's mentioned in the letter;
Cpl. Steve Outhwaite (2589525) was from the Royal Signals. Private Lionel R. Breskal (6143297) was from the east Surrey Regiment.
Cpl. G. W. Wheeler, Cpl. S. Outhwaite and Pte. L. R. Breskal
(photo mentioned in the letter above)
(submitted by Suzanne Macklin, daughter of Cpl. Wheeler)
/
Location of Stalag VIIIB (Lamsdorf)
A few miles west of Lamsdorf is the town of Opole (Oppeln - in German) on the river Oder. It was at Opole (Oppeln) that Cpl. G. W. Wheeler worked at the Cement Factory.
The town of Radibor can be seen about 40 mile south of Stalag VIIIB near the Czech Republic border. It was here that Cpl. G. W. Wheeler worked at Sugar Mill in 1944. This region of Poland is known as Upper Silesia.