TOBRUK PRISONER POW GROUP TO CAPTAIN E P ROGERS RASC / LATE ROYAL ENGINEERS

Edward Peter Roger was born on 21st November 1897 at 9 York Road, Henley on Thames.

Edward worked as a fitter and turner and served in the Royal Engineers as a Sapper for 18 months during the Great War. 

After his discharge, he moved to Lancashire and on 20th January 1921, he re-enlisted, joining the Royal Army Service Corps. By the late 1930's he had been awarded the Long Service Good Conduct Medal and had risen to the rank of Warrant Officer 2nd Class. 

Rogers was commissioned as a Lieutenant on the outbreak of the Second World War and, as a Captain, took part in the Africa Campaign. While serving with the 201st Guards Brigade, 903 Company RASC attached to the 1st Armoured Division, he was taken prisoner at Tobruk on 20th June 1942. 

Initially held in POW camps in Italy, Camp 75 at Bari and Camp 21 at Chieti, before being moved to Germany after the Italian surrender. During his transport to Germany via train, Rogers was involved in an escape attempt. However, due to an acute case of Lumbago, it wasn't possible for him to escape, although several of his fellow prisoners did. 

Rogers was then held in Stalag VIIA at Moosburg, Bavaria; Oflag VIIIF at Mahrisch-Trubai in Czechoslovakia and finally in Oflag 79 at Waggum Brunswick, from which he was liberated.