HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2018
Paul Stoffa was an artillery officer in the Hungarian Army - he left an account of his wartime adventures which is a fascinating account of his adventures from capture on the Russian front in the early days of WW1, via a Siberian PoW camp, across China and the USA and finally to an arrest on board a Swedish ship forced into Stornaway and internment, first at the relatively luxurious Alexendra Palace then Knockaloe. He had travelled on board the ship under the pretence of a Norwegian stoker but after capture was unable to prove his credentials as an Hungarian Officer which would have seen him transferred to Donnington POW camp rather than civilian internment.
Transferred from Alexandra Palace to Knockaloe late December 1916 and given Knockaloe camp number 28053 being mentioned in the Camp Letter book occasioned by a letter concerning transfers to Donnington Hall officers camp by several reserve officers held as civilian prisioners - some information on this righthand page (used for comments) seem have been added much later than date on the lefthand page - one note dated 29.3.17 is that he now recognised as an officer.
In January 1918 he along with 3 colleagues escaped from the Camp and made their way to Port Erin where they had hoped to find a boat to sail to Ireland but were thwarted by discovering a motor torpedo boat in the harbour.
A description of the escaped prisoners has age 42, fresh complexion,hair turning grey, sharp moustache, eyes:maple, height 5ft 4in; dress Grey tweed no hat possibly wearing knickerbockers, very nervous, speaks very little English.
P. Stoffa Round the World to Freedom London:Bodley Head 1933
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| Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The
Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2018 |
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