Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday 3rd May 1940

Leicesters Colonel Captured

The German radio claimed on Sunday night that a colonel of the Leicestershire Regiment had been taken prisoner in Norway and given his name as “Colonel German.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Guy German, who is 37, comes of a well-known Ashby family. His brother, Major John German, is also serving with the “Tigers.”

Lieut.-Colonel German has the reputation of being one of the most popular officers ever to have served with the “Tigers.” He is widely known in hunting circles, and when living at Normanton-on-Soar rode regularly with the Quorn. The son of Colonel G. German, he was educated at Rugby and Oxford and got his Rugby “blue” at the University. He became a subaltern on the reorganisation of the Territorial Army in 1920 and was promoted Lieutenant in 1923, captain 1928, major 1933, and lieutenant-colonel May 30th, 1939.

He married Miss Keeley, of Brockton, in 1926, and they have one child. In civilian life he is a chartered surveyor and land agent, with businesses at Ashby, Derby and Buxton.

Coalville Times article - Friday 17th May, 1940

Mrs Guy German’s Effort for Norway Captives

Anxious that an immediate effort should be made to minimise the discomfiture of men who like her husband, Lieutenant-Colonel Guy German, are presumed to have been taken prisoners in Norway, Mrs Guy German, who is now staying at Langley Priory, Diseworth, has launched an appeal on their behalf.

The appeal is for money to enable parcels of necessities to be sent to them at once. “It is such a marvellous thing that our brave men have done and the cause I am trying to help is so obviously a worthy one that I do not think it is really necessary for me to do any appealing,” says Mrs German. “At the moment, I do not know how many men were serving with my husband at the time, but it is practically certain that they will have lost everything and that necessities will be needed immediately. Arrangements can be made for parcels to be sent to any man the moment his whereabouts are known, and I feel very strongly that we should be prepared for that moment when we know we can do something.”

Parcels will contain articles that are considered to be most essential and must be sent regularly. Mrs German’s appeal is launched from No. 13, Baxter Gate, Loughborough.

Coalville Times article - Friday 5th July, 1940

Mrs Guy German’s Effort

Many Men Missing In Norway Reported Prisoners

Mrs Guy German, wife of Colonel German, who among others of his regiment was taken prisoner of war in the Norwegian campaign, states that of the 295 men who were reported missing in Norway, she has already heard from all but 44. Four are known to have been killed.

Mrs German has personally organised from Loughborough a prisoners of war fund for Leicestershire men, and this topped the £1,000 mark some time ago. As a result of this fund, parcels have been sent regularly to prisoners.

Mrs German is still confident that many relatives who have heard from missing men of the regiment have yet to inform her of the fact, and when the list is complete there is every hope that casualties will be few. Every day the list of missing men is reduced as news arrives from prison camps.


Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 14/1/2023