Themes

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• The capture of HMS Seal

• The separation of the crew

• Life at Marlag

• Adoption of prisoners by the villagers of Seal

• The liberation of the prisoners

The liberation of the prisoners

During 1945 Allied armies advanced towards the prisoner of war camp at Marlag. The Germans ordered the crew of HMS Seal to march westward. During the long walk many prisoners suffered from hunger, cold, dysentery and frostbite. Rupert Lonsdale carried with him a wooden pennant made in the prisoner of war camp. He had placed the pennant over the door of the hut in Marlag where the prisoners had held their church services. After arriving in North Germany British forces finally rescued the crew and transported them home. Following the war Rupert Lonsdale resigned his commission and began a career in the Church.

Wooden church pennant (RNSM)