Nazi Vest Found in an Abandoned Camp

online resource

posted on 2024-06-05, 19:15 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Jack was stationed in Africa throughout WWII and returned with a Nazi vest which had been abandoned by the Germans when they advanced amongst many other personal items.

Jack's Great Niece has brought the vest in with her to photograph for the project.

History

Item list and details

1. Nazi vest: John "Jack" Bath was stationed in France, Africa and Italy throughout WW2. Whilst in Mersa Matruh (North Africa), Jack's company discovered a deserted German camp where tents, clothing and even motorcycles had been abandoned. Jack returned home to Doncaster with a German uniform vest with an eagle and swastika emblazoned on the front. The vest was gifted to Terrance Bath, Jack's young nephew. Terrance Bath's daughter Lyndsey brought in the vest into Danum Library to be photographed for the project. 2. Photograph of grandfather: The photograph is of the Doncaster ARP of which Stanley Bath, Jack's older brother was a member. Stanley is pictured first on the middle row. Due to the industrial landscape of Scunthorpe there was a greater risk of bombing during WW2 so Stanley and his family chose to relocate from Scunthorpe to the Wheatley area of Doncaster. The family are unsure whether the photograph is of the Doncaster ARP or just from the Wheatley area.

Person the story/items relate to

Jack Bath

Person who shared the story/items

Lyndsey Bath

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

Great-uncle of contributor

Type of submission

Shared at Danum Gallery, Library & Museum, Doncaster on 4 November 2023.

Record ID

96259 | DON003

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Licence

CC BY 4.0