ID: WW01_391 / Winifred Hone

TitleThomas Gabriel - Winifred Hone memoirs
AbstractMr Thomas Gabriel of hollow spar fame lived at Saltedge with his family, one son and two daughters. One daughter married Captain Ritchie, Black Watch, who was Adjudant to the London Scottish Regiment that came to camp at Colchester. It was only natural that he would make for the Island. During their stay in Colchester we staged a small Regatta between the London Scottish and the Dabchicks. The C.O. was a remarkable man. He missed the train that should have taken him to France in the 1914-1918 war, begged a lift in a plane which unfortunately landed in enemy territory and he became a prisoner of war almost until it ended. He said he was well treated by the Germans and had lots of priviliges, this applied to other prisoners as well. They were allowed to take a train as long as they returned at the appointed time, they were put on their honour about this procedure. If they attempted to escape a shot would be the answer. Many of his fellow officers attempted to escape and met the alloted fate. He kept a diary with the help of a master German tailor who sewed these records written on small pieces of rice paper into the pleats of his kilt, he did finally escape and the diary was lodged in the United Services Museum in Whitehall. While in camp in Colchester he gave several dinner parties here for his officers with many local residents as guests, and Scotland's contribution to the world of music helped liven up the party as he was a great exponent of the
.... [ the rest is missing ]
[ Thomas Gabriell was living at Saltedge in 1921 - from the Register of Electors. ]

AuthorWinifred Hone
Publishedc1969
SourceMersea Museum / Wendy Brady
IDWW01_391