How my German POW father met my ATS mother!

Heidi is the daughter of Wolfgang Solf and Patricia Kendall:

Patricia Kendall: an ATS Auxiliary servicewoman - she served from 1943 in the (Gitleighton) Office - left to go to dad's (camp) in Honiton where she served as a WP Warden.

Wolfgang Solf: served in the Kriegsmarine as a Stoker on board the ship 'Valkyrie' which was scuttled in St. Malo. He was reposted to another vessel but was sunk and taken prisoner / captured by U.S. forces in France. Became POW of U.S. Army but eventually sent to England (on 12/03/1946) and was sent to Honiton enemy POW Camp where he met Patricia.

He was held at Honiton as an 'open day prisoner' and allowed to leave camp - eventually transferred to Tiverton where Patricia cycled to see him.

Married to Patricia on 9th August 1947, while still a POW. The went to Germany in October 1947 against her family's wishes, but returned in 1948 due to economic reasons.

Timeline of Wolfgang's capture:

Card/record of Capture (from Red Cross 2010)

USA:
- No wound
- 22 October 44' (date of capture)
- U.S. POW Camp in France
- Cards filled in by POWs

UK:
- Info on Admiralty (German Navy) + Navy Base
- Mine Sweeper - serving as 'Klempner' (Plumber)
- Religion - Evangelist