A proud daughter will be sharing the story of her father, a softly spoken veteran who risked everything to fight for freedom, and whose service continues to inspire us to this day.
Frank Slinn could tell you tales from his wartime service which could well be mistaken for the plot of a blockbuster film.
His hair-raising escapades included being caught by the Nazis and held as a prisoner of war in three countries, making a daring escape and being recaptured, and years later being reunited with the women who risked their lives to keep him safe.
However, Frank, like so many who had fought for king and country, did not like to speak about his service.
“It was very difficult for them to talk about it without becoming emotional,” explained Frank’s daughter, Maureen Stiles. “He was of a generation where men didn't show their emotions like they do today.”
Mrs Stiles grew up knowing only scant details about her father’s service. It was only recently, having collected old letters, photos and even an engagement card Frank sent to her mother, Lily, on their first anniversary when he was stationed in north Africa, that she has learned the full story.
Frank, an Ipswich boy born and bred, joined the 67th Medium Regiment RA TA in 1940 on the outbreak of war. Fighting in modern day Libya, the men were captured at Tobruk in June 1942, becoming prisoners of war. They were transported to Italy, in the bowels vessels not dissimilar to slave ships from centuries earlier.
In 1943, following the Italian Armistice, Frank and two friends escaped.
“They bribed a friendly young Italian guard to look the other way, and slipped under the wire,” explained Mrs Stiles. “The Germans were all around - and it wasn’t just the Germans who were looking for men, it was also the Italian fascists who supported Mussolini.
“You didn’t know who was who – they didn’t have to be in a German uniform; they could look like ordinary Italians.”
By a stroke of luck, Frank and his comrades were taken in by the Fiodelli family in Treviolo, Lombardy. Mrs Brembilla, a widow who lived with her two daughters, hid the soldiers for three weeks.
Mrs Stiles recalls the excitement when she recognised her father’s handwriting in a letter which was left with the family, addressed to “the officer commanding allied troops”, dated September 16, 1943.
“Sir,” Frank wrote, “since our release from the prison camp near Bergamo, the bearers of this letter and their families have taken us in, fed and clothed us. Because they are but poor people it has been a great tax to them. We have been shielded and have therefore survived several searches made by the Germans. But this letter is written because at any time, owing to renewed activity by the Germans, we may have to move elsewhere. In this case, we do hope and believe that you will arrange that these people, after being so extremely good to us, will be compensated to the utmost.”
The three left the family, trying to cross the Alps into Switzerland. A month later, Frank and one friend were recaptured and remained in a German POW camp until the end of the war.
Arriving at the family home in Devonshire Road, Frank was greeted by his niece, who was born in 1939. Embracing the now five-year-old little girl, Frank was so weak he could not lift her.
Frank married his sweetheart, Lily, in 1946. They soon became parents to Maureen and Tony.
Frank did not like to dwell on the war, and rarely spoke about it to his children. However, he never stopped thinking about the Italian family who had given him shelter.
In 1979, he and Lily travelled to Treviolo, determined to seek them out.
It seemed hopeless; a guide had volunteered to drive them to the remote village on her day off, but short of going through public records at the town hall, Frank had no idea how he would find them.
Then, as he and Lily were standing in the street, trying to come up with a plan, an old lady put her hand on his arm, and asked in astonishment, “Frank, is that you?”
The woman was a friend of the Fiodelli family and took Frank and Lily to them. Mrs Brembilla had died, but, after 30 years, Frank was able to see the daughters again and meet their families.
Frank died in 2002, aged 82, but through research, his family continues to learn about his story, and his descendants have been brought closer together as a result.
Mrs Stiles, helped by her brother and the rest of the family, is grateful to the Ipswich Memorial Project, run by Andrew Beal ad Helen Ely, for its part in helping them uncover Frank’s history, as well as all the others who have helped along the way.
“It’s been a joyous thing,” said Mrs Stiles.
On Saturday, November 8, Suffolk Archives is hosting an event in honour of the 80th anniversary of VE-Day and the veterans who risked everything for our freedom.
Running at The Hold in Ipswich from 1pm to 4pm, event will include stories of capture, escape, tragedy, and survival, and aims to encourage local families’ interest in their ancestors’ military past.
On Saturday, November 8, Mrs Stiles will be in conversation with Sir Nicolas Young. His book, ‘Escaping with His Life’, covers the story of his father, Major Leslie Young, from Dunkirk to D-Day and beyond.
80 years since VE Day- Ipswich men who fought in WW2 will be running at The Hold from 1pm on Saturday, November 8.
Share