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List of members of the British Free Corps facts for kids

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The British Free Corps, known in German as the Britisches Freikorps, was a special unit of the Waffen-SS during World War II. It was made up of prisoners of war from Britain and other British Dominions (countries like Canada or Australia that were part of the British Empire). These soldiers had been recruited by the Nazis to fight on their side.

The Corps used the same rank system as the SS, which was the Nazi Party's main military organization. Starting in February 1944, members of the British Free Corps were told to use fake names for official records, though some chose not to.

After the war, some members of the Corps faced legal action. Those who had been in the armed forces were judged by military courts. Civilians, like merchant sailors, were judged in civilian courts.

Who Was in the British Free Corps?

This section lists people who were part of the British Free Corps. It also includes details about their time in the unit and what happened to them after the war.

No. MI5 no. BFC Rank Last Name First Name Alias Details Outcome MI5 Category Jackals of the Reich British Rank Unit/Ship Landwehr number
1. N/A SS-Mann Alexander William J. Clyde He joined around September 1944. He was from Glasgow and was described as "tough, tattooed." He was chosen to box for the SS pioneers in Prague in late 1944 but lost. He planned to leave in January 1945 and was sent to an isolation camp. In mid-1946, he received a serious warning from British intelligence about his future behavior. IV P105 – Pte Clyde (a corporal in the Highland Light Infantry) Private – 3314447 Highland Light Infantry 3. 128. 'Corporal Clyde'
2. N/A SS-Mann Axon Frank Atkins He was the last volunteer, joining in late February 1945. He was captured in Greece in April 1941 and worked as a farm laborer. He was offered to join the BFC to avoid punishment for hitting a cow. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor by a military court. VI P143 – "Ronald Atkins, a driver in the RAMC", P164 re sentence Lance-corporal – 182828 Royal Army Service Corps 26.
3. 18 SS-Mann Barker Ronald Voysey He was an Australian from Goulburn, New South Wales. He was captured in the Indian Ocean in 1941. He was described as having "very inferior intelligence." He lost his enthusiasm for fighting when he realized the BFC would have to fight. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor for offenses against defense rules. PP 90, 147, 151 – David Voysey Merchant Navy Seaman MV British Advocate 154. 126. 'David Voysey'
4. 20 SS-Mann Batchelor Harry Dean Cameron/ Young He was from Kent and was captured in Crete. He was recruited from a prisoner camp in Austria. He planned to leave in January 1945 and left the BFC near Schwerin on May 2, 1945. He was found not guilty because his statement was taken improperly. VI P89 – Charles Cameron Sapper – 1944855 Royal Engineers 124. 'Charles Cameron'
5. 19 SS-Mann Berry Kenneth Edward Jordan See Kenneth Berry. He was sentenced to 9 months in prison with hard labor for offenses against defense rules. Edward Jordan Merchant Navy Seaman SS Cymbeline 28. Berry, 87.-88. 'Edward Jordan', 89. 'Kenneth Edwards'
6. Not known Blackman Harry Charles Not Known He left Pankow in December 1943. I Sergeant – 6010228 Essex Regiment 21.
7. 9 SS-Rottenführer Brittain William Charles Hundrupe See William Brittain. He was a waiter and floorwalker before the war. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was released after 2 months for medical reasons. V PP61, 81-2, 154 – Hundrupe Lance-corporal – 5109799 Royal Warwickshire Regiment serving in No. 4 Commando 24. 121. 'Hundrupe'
8. Not known Browning Alfred Not known He left Pankow in December 1943. He was known to be an informant. He was found guilty by a military court. I P72 – Possibly Pte Alfred Robinson Private – 5192947 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 50., ?116. 'Alfred Robinson'
9. Not known Chapman William James Not known He left Pankow in December 1943. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. I P72 – possibly Pte William Bryant Private – 14536737 or 14336737 Not known 51., ?115. 'William Bryant'?, 133. 'Private Bryant'
10. SS-Mann Chipchase Robert nil /Jones He stayed for only a couple of days before going to an isolation camp. He was dealt with by his commanding officer and discharged. II Private – W1755 or W/X 1755 2/32nd Battalion of the Australian Army 53.
11. Not known Clarke William (Nobby) – Frederick Wilfred Edward nil He left Pankow in December 1943. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. I P58 – Nobby Clark Gunner – 6846466 Royal Artillery 56.
12. 3 SS-Oberscharführer Cooper Thomas Haller Böttcher See Thomas Haller Cooper. He was sentenced to death for high treason, but this was changed to life imprisonment. He served 7 years. Peter Butcher N/A – Civilian N/A – Civilian 2., 109. 'Peter Butcher'
13. 1 SS-Unterscharführer Courlander Roy Nicholas Regan See Roy Courlander. He was sentenced to 15 years, which was reduced to 9 years. He served 6 years. V PP 43, 59-60, 150-1- Roy Regan Lance-Corporal – 2771 18th Battalion (New Zealand) 5. 'Roy Regan', 30. Roy Nicholas Courlander
14. SS-Unterscharführer Cowie Hugh Wilson Kingsley He was captured in France in 1940. He joined the BFC to avoid punishment for having a secret radio. He led drill parades and helped send six Maori recruits back to their unit because the BFC was a "whites only" unit. He planned to leave in January 1945 and was sent to an isolation camp. In 1953, he was jailed for demanding money. He died in prison in 1977. He was sentenced to 15 years and dismissed from the army by a military court. This was later reduced to 7 years. V P86 – Robert Kingsley Private – 2876924 Gordon Highlanders 122. 'Robert Kingsely'
15. SS-Mann Croft Frederick Nixon He was forced to join the Corps after escaping his work party five times. He was put in solitary confinement. In August 1944, he asked to return to his camp. He was sent to an SS punishment camp near Schwerin, but returned to the BFC in November. He surrendered with Cooper on May 2. He was sentenced to 6 months by a military court. VI P147 – Nixon – P164 – sentence Bombardier – 900679 Royal Artillery
16. N/A SS-Mann Croft George nil He joined around Christmas 1944. He had been a prisoner since 1940. He and John Sommerville had strong anti-Communist views and faced threats from other prisoners. They decided to join the Waffen-SS, but were persuaded to join the BFC instead. In March 1945, he was sent to a military hospital. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison. VI Private – 4390016 Green Howards 57.
17. Not known Cryderman Arthur James Tilbury He was from Manitoba and left Pankow in December 1943. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. I P43 – "Private Arthur Tilbury" Private – H/41636 Saskatchewan Light Infantry 59., 117. 'Arthur Tilbury'
18. Not known Dowden Clifford Not known He left Pankow in December 1943. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. I P58 – Clifford Haggard Gunner – 14224674 Royal Artillery 64.
19. 14 SS-Mann Ellsmore Not known Fraser He was a Belgian civilian named Theo Menz who pretended to be a British sergeant. He was charged with mutiny on June 20 and sent to a concentration camp. There is some evidence he was executed shortly after arriving. PP 78 and 168 – Theo Maertens N/A – Civilian N/A – Civilian 55. 119. 'Theo Maertens' 153. 'Private Frazer'
20. 13 SS-Oberscharführer Freeman Thomas Rogers He was recruited in February 1944. He joined the BFC to try and reach Russian lines and sabotage the movement. He was promoted in April 1944. He was charged with mutiny and sent to a concentration camp, but escaped in November 1944 and reached Russian lines. He was sent back to Britain in March 1945. He was the only BFC member fully cleared of guilt after the war. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. IV PP 77–9 – Buck Rogers, Canadian Private – 5831031 No. 7 Commando 66. 118. 'Buck Rogers'
21. 34 SS-Mann Futcher Roy Ralph Phillpotts He was threatened with a military court for being with German women. In August 1944, he asked to return to his camp. He was sent to an SS punishment camp, but returned to the BFC in November. He planned to leave in January 1945 and was sent to an isolation camp. He was released with a warning. He was considered a "committed fascist and anti-Semite" but "not a major player." IV Possibly Pte [P154 – Joe] Reeves of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Private – 5724178 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry 130. 'Private Reeves' 157 'Joe Philpotts'
22. Not known Haines Cyril Not known He left Pankow in December 1943. He later asked to go back to the BFC. No further action was taken due to lack of evidence. IV Private – 4459934 Durham Light Infantry 67.
23. 10. SS-Mann Heighes Robert Reginald Reid He was a butcher from Petersfield. He left Pankow in December 1943 but returned in 1944. By September, he was selling unit supplies for profit. In February 1945, he successfully left the unit and joined a group of evacuating prisoners. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison by a military court. IV PP 43,151,164 – Allan Taylor Company sergeant major (acting)/ Private – 1437746 Hampshire Regiment 69.
24. 24. SS-Mann How William Browne He was from Rochester, Kent. He joined in spring 1944. In August 1944, he asked to return to his camp. He was sent to an SS punishment camp, but returned to the BFC in November. In February 1945, he successfully left the unit and joined a group of evacuating prisoners. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison. IV P89 – Private Bookie Brown, a former lance-corporal in the Indian Army Military Police Lance-Corporal – 793819 Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, transferred to Corps of Military Police 1939 70. 123. 'Bookie Brown'
25. 37. SS-Mann Jackson (E) Edward Collins He was often away from his work party because he had a girlfriend. The Gestapo arrested him and made him an offer he couldn't refuse to join the BFC. He was passed to military police for consideration in August 1945. IV Private – 3713897 King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) 45.
26. Not known Kipling Thomas Blake Meredith He left Pankow in December 1943. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. I P58 – Rudyard Meredith Gunner – 1123187 Royal Artillery 96., 114. 'Rudyard Meredith'
27. SS-Mann Labuschagne Pieter Andries Hendrik Smith He joined in winter 1944–5 after being persuaded by a German recruiter while working on a road gang. He was considered so useless that he was refused by a BFC leader. He slipped away and was found by advancing US forces. He was found guilty and fined £50. PP 112, 145, 151 – Private Adriaan Smith Private – 24202 Not Known 71.
28. 12. SS-Mann Lane Robert Henry Street He left Pankow in December 1943 but returned in 1944. He was sent back to a prisoner camp in August 1944. He was released with a warning. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. IV PP 57, 59 – "Private Sandy Street" "from Brixton" Private – 6145422 East Surreys 72., 95., 112. 'Sandy Street'
29. Not known Leigh John Not known He left Pankow in December 1943. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. I Fusilier – 3606704 Lancashire Fusiliers 73.
30. 22. SS-Mann Leister Dennis John Beckwith He was part of the SS-PK Standarte 'Kurt Eggers' unit. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison for offenses against defense rules. PP 90, 152 – John Beckwith N/A – Civilian N/A – Civilian 25. 'John Beckwith'
31. 8. Not known Lewis Frederick Lander He was a merchant sailor and prisoner of war. He left the BFC in December 1943 because of frequent British bombing raids on Berlin. He was allowed to return to his camp if he continued to recruit for the BFC. PP58, 72 – Able Seaman Walter Lander of the Royal Navy Merchant Navy Seaman Not known 48., 113. 'Walter Lander'
32. SS-Mann MacKinnon Alexander nil He was pressured into joining the Corps to avoid punishment for damaging farm produce. He was a driver for another member. He borrowed a farmer's jacket, separated from his companion, and surrendered to the Allies. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison. VI P144 – 'Webster' was 'driven by his batman, Private Thomas Bull' Lance-corporal – 2927002 Cameron Highlanders 74.
33. SS-Unterscharführer Mardon Douglas Hodge He joined around Christmas 1944. He was a South African with strong views against Communism. He volunteered quickly after reading BFC recruitment materials. In March 1945, he was promoted and given command of a section. He removed his BFC uniform patches and replaced them with SS ones. He was fined £375 for high treason. PP 112, 145 – Douglas Hodge Lance-Corporal – 6221 Not known 75.
34. 7. SS-Rottenführer Martin Edwin Barnard Bartlett Edwin Barnard Martin He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. V Edwin Bartlett Private – A/211311 Essex Scottish Regiment of the Canadian Army 101. 'Edward Bartlett'
35. 2. SS-Unterscharführer Maton Francis Paul MacCarthy He was part of the SS-PK Standarte 'Kurt Eggers' unit. See Francis Paul Maton. He was born around 1920 in Ireland and was a former member of the British Union of Fascists. He was captured in Crete after being wounded. He had already broadcast propaganda for Radio National. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for helping the enemy. V PP 101, 150-151, 162 – MacCarthy Territorial soldier/ Corporal – 1437735 Royal Artillery 44., 105. 'Frank McCarthy'
36. 4. SS-Unterscharführer MacLardy Francis George Wood He was part of the SS-San. Ers. Btl. Lichtenburg. See Frank McLardy. He was sentenced to life by a military court, which was reduced to 15 years. He served 7 years. V PP44, 59, 78-9, 81-2, 151 – Antony Wood. Sergeant – 7522956 Royal Army Medical Corps 7. 'Anthony Wood'
37. 38. SS-Mann Miller William John nil He joined in December 1944/January 1945. He was captured at Tobruk in 1943 and was persuaded to join the BFC instead of serving a prison sentence. He planned to leave in January 1945. He was considered useless and was arrested. He was released with a warning. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. IV PP 112–3, 146-7 – Ian Hardcastle Gunner/ Driver – 847322 Royal Artillery 77.
38. 5. SS-Sturmmann Minchin Alfred Vivian Milton Alfred Minchin He was sentenced to 7 years in prison for offenses against defense rules. PP 43, 147, 151-2 – "a merchant seaman called Spencer Milton" Merchant Navy Seaman SS Empire Ranger 102. 'Sgt Miltion'
39. SS-Mann Munns Charles nil He was a Scotsman who had a pregnant girlfriend near his prisoner camp. This was a serious offense. He was allowed to leave the BFC to return to his fiancée in January 1945. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. He seems to have avoided punishment by convincing authorities he was forced to join. III Private – 4452237 Durham Light Infantry 78.
40. SS-Mann Nicholls Ernest nil He was with a section of the BFC on May 2, 1945, and left with a group of former prisoners. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison. VI Private – T/92375 Royal Army Service Corps - 165.
41. 30. SS-Mann Nightingale Harry nil He arrived around September 1944. In February 1945, he successfully asked to go to an isolation camp with two other members. He was found guilty by a military court. IV P154 – Reginald Thrush Gunner – 874257 Royal Artillery 79. 132. 'Private Thrush'
42. SS-Mann Perkins Thomas – William Cecil Walters During a party, he stole a pistol and sold it. He claimed to be a prison officer before the war, but others thought he knew prisons from being inside them. He was arrested and sent to an isolation camp. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. IV PP 105, 154 – Walters Corporal – 6915004 Royal Northumberland Fusiliers 80.
43. 21. SS-Mann Pleasants Eric Reginald Dorran Eric Pleasants He was never tried but spent 8 years in a Soviet labor camp. P90 – Eric Durin N/A – Civilian N/A – Civilian 8. 'E. Durin'
44. 23. SS-Sturmmann Rose Norman Owens He left Pankow in December 1943 but returned in 1944. He was a long-serving soldier and was put in charge of supplies and Red Cross parcels. In August 1944, he asked to return to his camp. He was sent to an SS punishment camp, but returned to the BFC in November. In February 1945, he successfully asked to go to an isolation camp. He was sentenced to life by a military court. IV P105 – Pte Owens Lance-corporal – 5669883 East Surreys/ Somerset Light Infantry /Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) 81. 97. 'Sgt Major Own'
45. 25. SS-Mann Rowlands Herbert Miller He was a merchant sailor from London. He had fought in the Spanish Civil War and left his unit there. He showed great dislike for authority. In August 1944, he asked to return to his camp. He was sent to an SS punishment camp. By November, he had escaped and was hiding in Berlin. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor for offenses against defense rules. PP 90, 152-3 – Roland Miller Merchant Navy Seaman Not known 41. 127. 'Roland Miller'
46. 32. SS-Untersturmführer Shearer William nil William Shearer P85 – "a captain from a Scottish regiment" Lieutenant 4th Seaforth Highlanders 152.
47. N/A SS-Mann Somerville John nil He joined around Christmas 1944. He had been a prisoner since 1940. He and George Croft had strong anti-Communist views and faced threats from other prisoners. They decided to join the Waffen-SS, but were persuaded to join the BFC instead. He left with a group of former prisoners on May 2, 1945. He was "not yet located" in August 1946. Gunner – 1449698 Royal Artillery 58.
48. 17 SS-Mann Stokes Albert Gordon He was an Australian who joined with his friend Tom Freeman. They intended to sabotage the unit. He left the BFC near Schwerin on May 2. He was sentenced to 1 year in prison. VI Corporal – WX 1839 2/32nd Battalion of the Australian Army 54.
49. 11. SS-Sturmmann Symonds Henry Davies Henry Alfred Symonds. He was a battalion signaler. He planned to leave in January 1945 but didn't show up. In February 1945, he successfully asked to go to an isolation camp. He was sentenced to 15 years by a military court. V PP43, 59 – "Private Harry Davies" Signaller/ Private – 6153448 East Surrey Regiment, then Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 42., 107. 'Harry Davies', 110.
50. Not known Van Heerden L.P. nil He left Pankow in December 1943. He was reported "killed in action" during the bombing of Dresden on February 12, 1945, but was also said to have gone from an isolation camp to Schwerin in May 1945. Possibly P 112 – Jan Pieterson Rifleman – RH6857914 Long Range Desert Group 68.
51. SS-Mann Viljoen Lourens nil He joined in December 1944/January 1945. He was a South African who joined through a friendly SS officer at his work party. He was hospitalized with burns during the Dresden raids. He was found not guilty. possibly P 116 – Corporal Ludewicus Rendsberg Corporal – 195528 Not known 91.
52. Not known Wilson John nil He left Pankow in December 1943. He was said to have tried to return to the BFC. Military legal officials decided no punishment was needed. IV Private – 14406287 Durham Light Infantry 93.
53. 6. SS-Oberscharführer Wilson John Eric Montgomery He was sentenced by a military court. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a military court. V Company Sergeant Major ‘Tug’ Montgomery – PP 43, 61, 100 Trooper – 7684352 No. 3 Commando 43., 94. 'Eric Wilson'
54. 15/ 16 SS-Mann Wood Lionel Williams He was recruited in February 1944 and decided to join the BFC to try and reach Russian lines. He only stayed with the BFC for three weeks before asking to return to his camp. He was dealt with by his commanding officer and discharged. II Possibly P89 – Corporal Lionel Frost Lance-Corporal – V/X 13097 or W/X 13097 2/32nd Battalion of the Australian Army 65. 125. 'Lionel Frost'

Other British People in German Forces

This section lists other British people who served in German armed forces during World War II, but were not necessarily part of the British Free Corps. This includes citizens of neutral Eire (Ireland) who were captured while serving in the British Army. Some BFC members also served in other German units, like Thomas Haller Cooper (Waffen-SS), Roy Courlander, Dennis John Leister and Francis Paul Maton (all SS-Standarte Kurt Eggers), and Frank McLardy (SS Medical Corps Lichtenberg).

No. German Rank Last Name First Name Alias Details Outcome Jackals of the Reich British Rank British Unit/Ship German unit Landwehr number
1. SS-Hauptsturmführer Berneville-Claye Douglas Douglas Berneville-Claye Not prosecuted Chapter 15 – Archibald Webster Second Lieutenant – 20172 L detachment of the Special Air Service SS Hauptamt 27.
2. Sonderführer Becker* Frank Chetwynd He served in the German army and in the Indian Legion (Free Indian Corps). N/A – Civilian N/A Indian Legion 164.
3. SS-Unterscharführer Brady James Charlos de Lacy James Brady (SS) He was sentenced to fifteen years in prison, but three years were removed. He was released in 1950. Fusilier Royal Irish Fusiliers SS-Jagdverband Mitte 22.
4. SS-Hilfswilliger Celliers* William He was a South African policeman from Windhoek, South-West Africa. Not prosecuted Corporal 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler 104.
5. Codd* John Juan Louis John Codd Not prosecuted Corporal Royal Welch Fusiliers German Intelligence service (Abwehr) and SS Intelligence/ Sicherheitsdienst
6. SS-Hilfswilliger Conen* James He was a London taxi-driver. Not prosecuted Corporal 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler 103.
7. SS-Untersturmführer Freeman Railton Royston/Metcalfe He was sentenced to ten years in prison. Flying officer – 77107 No. 16 Squadron RAF SS-Standarte Kurt Eggers 6. 'Raymond Metcalfe'
8. Purdy* Roy Walter Pointer/Ronald Wallace Walter Purdy His death sentence was changed to life imprisonment. He was released after nine years. Sub-lieutenant HMS Van Dyck SS-Standarte Kurt Eggers 46.
9. SS-Sturmbannführer Stranders Vivian Not prosecuted. He had become a German citizen in 1933. PP 92–6 – appears under his real name Captain in the RAF SS-Hauptamt Amtsgruppe D 83.
10. SS-Mann Stringer Frank Willy Le Page Frank Stringer He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Fusilier – 7043206 Royal Irish Fusiliers SS-Jagdverband Mitte 23.

(*) Not in Weale's list.

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