The British Ex-P.O.W. Association

 

For a number of years from the mid 80's until the early 90's (when the reunions finished) the SBG worked with the British Ex-P.O.W. society. We usually provided guards at their camps to remind them of what they experienced during captivity in WWII. As with most events like this we provided our services free of charge however the veterans were kind enough to give us free rooms, food and beer. We found it rather amusing to stand in the car park as the coach loads of veterans arrived and then "Interrogated" them either on the coach or as they alighted. We would also march around their holiday camp late at night barking out German commands and shining torches everywhere. Occasionally we would stop veterans and ask them for their papers (in German of course) and would usually receive a torrent of abuse in return (but all tongue in cheek of course). The British veterans asked us to do this and they loved it !. It bought back many memories for them and most (if not all) were well treated by their German captors. We have appeared at various shows with them and met Jimmy Howe the "Big Band" leader and also Major Pat Reid of Colditz fame. You can see below a picture of the SBG with major Pat Reid in the centre alongside a General Montgomery look-a-like.