HOME

And another email along the same lines, this time from Katrina Kittel [katrinakittel at yahoo.com.au]

I am pleased that Anita Shooks, daughter of Tony Giddins (veteran deceased), has informed me of your website and remembrance club.

My name is Katrina Kittel and I am busy researching the activities of my father NX60337 Col Booth (2/3rd anti tank) and his fellow POWs in Italy 1942-44 and in particular those who made it to Switzerland. The last 10 months or so have seen a lot of material gathered, plus contact with about 8 veterans still living, plus about 60 families of veteran POWs.

The Swiss list of 421 AIF POW who made it to Switzerland from Italy following escape from camp includes nearly 40 (at a quick glance) 2/15 men who were POW in Italy and who made it to Switzerland. Out of those 2/15th men, I have made contact with families of Fred Brockel, Ted Triffett, Robert Wylie and Don 'Duncan' Robertson. So far!

Would you have any means that I could contact families or veterans of the remaining 35 or so 2/15th POWs Italy/Switzerland? Perhaps by inclusion in a newsletter or on your website?

My goal originally was to chronicle Dad;s story, but now that I am hearing the stories and the themes and commonality of many men who were alongside Dad, it is my goal to put it together in book form. I have the fortune to receive encouragement and advice from men such as veteran POW Bill Rudd, who you no doubt know as the author of wwwaifpow.com. Amongst other 2/15th men, Bill includes info on Alfred Cotterell and Robert Donnan on his excellent and detailed web publication.

I would be happy to join/subscribe as you see fit, so that I can keep an eye on stories and images that may be included in your site's publications. What would you suggest as appropriate membership for myself?

I will be very happy to provide you with any information gathered by myself through this current research as it relates to history of 2/15th men as POW Italy WW2, as I have advised other regiment/battalion organisations along the way.

You are all to be congratulated for maintaining such a fine club and web presence. Not all battalions/regiments are as well networked, maintained, continued as the 2/15th history has been done via your web pages.

With my kind regards, and I look forward to hearing from you,

Katrina Kittel

PS
I am listing below the other 2/15th men known to have been POW Italy to Switz, not already mentioned above,: (fingers hold out!!) - in the event that you can offer any info or contacts (via yourself is of course fine!):

Bill Arrold,                       Gordon Beach,              Ernest Berg,

Lewis Brookes,             Bill Bushnell,                 Fred Carey,

Alfred Collins,                Fred Curtis,                   Alex Dawson,

Eric Double,                   Len Holman,                 Ray/Rae Johnston (both?),

Leo Kerr,                         Nev Lavering,                Wal McMahon,

Cecil Mitchell,                 Ron Zwoerner,             Noel Smith,

Ron Scott,                       Bill Morris,                     Cec Nott,

Stan Peterson,               Bill Pritchard,                Noel Reese,

Clarry Reid,                     Tom Thomas,              David Todd,

James Wilson,               Harry Watts,                  Bill Solway,

and as on Bill Rudd’s website - Alfred Cotterell and Robert Donnan.

So folks if you have anything on any one of the above said members of the 2/15 please let me know.  Steve.