My grandad was a German prisoner of war and now I'm reliving his story in a brand new book
The remarkable story of two men who were shot down over Germany - and then survived in prisoner of war camps - has been told in a new book.
Boldon man Sgt Albert Walton and Flight Officer Weston Craig from South Shields were part of a Lancaster bomber’s eight-strong crew which was deep behind enemy lines in 1944.
Captured and sent to prisoner of war camps
It was shot down over Berlin and only four of the crew survived.
The two North East men baled out and parachuted to the ground but were captured. Albert was sent to Stalag IV-B, and Weston to Stalag Luft III, the camp made famous by the Great Escape, because he was an officer.
Both survived the war and were liberated to return home to their families.
Now their story has been told in a new book called ‘From Bomber County to Berlin – An RAF airman’s wartime story’.
‘It has got North Eastern courage, friendships, and culture at the core of the book’
It has been written by Ingrid Shepherd (a researcher specialising in Bomber Command history) and Dawn Woodward who is a historian working with RAF veteran families.
Dawn told us: “I have written it with my sister Ingrid and it tells the true story of our grandfather, a North Eastern man Albert Walton who was born and raised in East Boldon.”
She said the book includes previously unpublished POW artwork, letters, photographs, and contributions from all eight crew families. It offers rare insights into life in both Stalag IV-B and Stalag Luft III.
Top secret operations over Germany
“It has got North Eastern courage, friendships, and culture at the core of the book.”
Before the war, Albert worked as a joiner at the Bitulac paint factory in East Boldon. He enlisted in 1941, trained as a wireless operator, and by 1943 was serving as a Sergeant in Bomber Command.
He joined the RAF’s legendary 101 Squadron — a unit involved in top-secret operations. Their aircraft carried an additional crew member who was fluent in German, and their missions combined bombing raids with jamming German radio communications.
By coincidence, one of Albert’s crew mates was another South Tyneside man: Flight Officer Weston Craig. Weston was born in May 1922 and lived in Loudon Street, the son of Robert and Jessie Craig. Before enlisting, he worked as a clerk in the Civil Service.
‘Two remarkable North-East men, their crew, and the wartime experiences that shaped them’
Together, Albert and Weston flew nine sorties deep into enemy territory. Remarkably, on two missions they were forced to bale out, saving their lives by parachute.
Their final mission came in January 1944, when their Lancaster was shot down over Berlin. Four of the crew survived and four were tragically killed.
Ingrid told us: “After liberation, both men returned to the North-East. Albert worked at Boldon Colliery, settled in Hardie Drive with his wife Lily, raised a family, and became well known for football and champion vegetable and flower growing.
“Weston returned to the Civil Service, married his sweetheart Daphne in 1948, and later settled in Cheltenham, where they built their family life.
“Our book brings together the stories of these two remarkable North-East men, their crew, and the wartime experiences that shaped them.”
The book is available on Amazon at £14.99 in paperback and £4.99 on Kindle, and through all good bookshops.