Prisoner of War

Wilstead High Street, c.1910 [Z1306/134/9/2]

Wednesday 23rd December 1914

The following letter from the War Office has been received from the War Office by Mrs Lillian A. Cambers concerning her husband Timothy, who is now known to be a prisoner of war in Germany: 

Madam, 

With reference to the report sent you of the death of No.8213, Private Timothy Cambers, Bedfordshire Regiment, I am directed to say that from the evidence produced in the postcard from this soldier sent to Mrs Stimson, it would appear that this report was incorrect, and that Private Cambers is a prisoner of war in Germany.[1] I am to add that it is much regretted that any unnecessary pain should have been caused you by the incorrect announcement, but in the circumstances prevailing at the front, it is inevitable that a certain number of errors of this nature should arise. 

I am,Madam  

Your obedient servant 

H.McAnally

It has been known for a while that reports of Private Cambers’ death were premature and he was last heard of in a French military hospital. This is the first communication Mrs Cambers has received from the War Office since it notified her of her husband’s “death” and it seems they only became aware that this was an error because the family forwarded a postcard they had received from him. While some errors may be inevitable it is to be hoped that this is a rare case as the distress caused to his pregnant wife and young family must have been extremely traumatic.

Source: X550/2/61

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[1] Mrs Stimson was Cambers’ older sister Rose, who had married Arthur Stimson in 1902.