Scots survivor of infamous Stalag prisoner of war camp dies at age of 93
La N
highland gillie was held in stalag bases for five years
Scottish war camps survivor dies aged 93
Published: 28/12/2009
A Scots survivor of the infamous Stalag prisoner of war camps has died at
the age of 93.
Donald MacLennan was a Highland gillie and forestry ranger. He retired from
the Forestry Commission in 1980.
It was in October 1939, soon after the outbreak of World War II, that he
joined the 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.
As part of the 51st Highland Division, he fought in France where he was made
a King's Corporal but was captured at St Valery on June 12, 1940, following
the rearguard action for Dunkirk.
His son, Roddie, said: "He and his comrades endured an arduous march to
Poland and Germany. He spent five years as a prisoner of war in Stalag 8B
and Stalag VIIIB, having to work in Byton coal mine in Poland."
During this period his father, John, passed away at their home at Fasnakyle,
near Cannich, Glen Affric, where Donald was born in 1916.
Donald's mother, Margaret, died aged just 39 when he was four years old. His
sister Mary helped to raise him.
Donald went to Marydale School in Cannich before getting a job at Tulloch
Castle Estate in Dingwall.
Roddie said: "He enjoyed his work trapping rabbits and general duties on the
estate and got involved in the community, playing junior football in
Ross-shire."
Following the end of the war he was demobbed in December 1945 and returned
home to the Highlands by train.
Roddie said: "On seeing the high hills of home he vowed he would never
leave. As many knew, when he made up his mind he rarely changed it. He
returned to Glen Affric to his brother Duncan and his wife Maree."
After a period of recuperation he met Anne MacDonnell at a dance in Tomich,
and they married at Fort Augustus Abbey on June 1, 1949. They were to be
together for more than 60 years.
Shortly after he joined the commission, the family - now including sons
Billy, Donald and Roddie and daughter Rosemary - moved to Muirdale, Cannich.
He was cared for at Highview House in Inverness following a stroke in
November and died peacefully in his sleep on December 13.
Read more:
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1540300?UserKey=#ixzz0b362dVMl
Mike MacKinnon
This is really strange. My grandfather was in the same Division and
captured at the same place, St Valery. My sister is even called
Valery! My grandfather was also a Kriegsgefangener at Satlag VIIIB and
worked at the mine. He dies in 1968 but if he had lived, he would have
been 101.
My mother tells a story about when she was out with him in 1947. She
was just 12. It seems that there were still German POWs working on the
roads in Edinburgh. My grandfather stopped to talk to them in perfect
German and them bought some pies and gave them a pack of cigarettes.
My mum was outraged! "How can you give THEM anything?" she said.
"They're Jerries!"
"They're just working men like me, who were captured fighting for
their country, " replied my grandfather, and nothing more was said
about it.
A real gentleman, my grandfather!
The Phantom Piper
A man with experience, who knew the truth
about the 'glories of war' as well.
Good For Him,
The Phantom Piper
La N
I agree. That was a great personal family anecdote, Mike. Thank you for
that.
- nilita