Robert GRELAUD's Funds – Philippe CHAMBRIER
Mr Philippe CHAMBRIER donated these nine drawings and watercolours, produced at Oflag IID in Gross-Born by Mr Robert GRELAUD, to the association ‘Histoire et Mémoire de la Captivité – 1939–1945’ on 22 October 2026. Adjutant Robert Louis GRELAUD was born in Les Mureaux (78) on 9 December 1903. He died on 2 March 1983 in Le Havre (76).
The arrival list for Oflag IID at Gross-Born states :
- Adjutant to the General Staff of the 224th Infantry Regiment,
- Taken prisoner on 4 June 1940 in Dunkirk (59).
He was registered at Stalag IID in Stargard under number 56380. He appears in the arrival list as ‘number 229 – page 5 – line 6’ at Oflag IID in Gross-Born. He then appears on the departure list from Oflag IID in Gross-Born, number 285 – page 13 – line 2, bound for Oflag IIB in Arnswalde on 15 May 1942. Finally, he appears in the departure list from Oflag IIB in Arnswalde, ‘number 95 – page 5 – line 4’, bound for Stalag IIA in Neubrandenburg: ‘zwecks Heimsendung überwiesen’ = ‘transferred for repatriation’ on 13 October 1942.
In drawing number 1, Adjutant Robert GRELAUD refers to ‘Corporal GALLO’.
This is in fact Senior Corporal Gaston, Emile, Joseph GALLOO, who was born on 16 August 1894 in Crochte (59). He died on 27 January 1966 in Seclin (59).
In the list of arrivals at Oflag IID in Gross-Born, he is listed as :
- Senior Corporal of a ‘Workers’ Company’ (no further details given),
- Taken prisoner on 4 June 1940 in Malo-les-Bains (59).
- He is registered at Stalag IIE – the name used prior to ‘Oflag IID at Gross-Born’ – under number 33013. He appears on the arrival list dated 26 June 1940 as ‘number 128 – page 2 – line 2’ at Oflag IID at Gross-Born.
He subsequently appears on the departure list from Oflag IID at Gross-Born, number 235 – page 4 – line 4, bound for Stalag IID at Stargard (for transfer to Chalon-sur-Saône (patient transport or medical evacuation)) on 30 May 1941.
His ‘French service number’ was 1340 upon enlistment in Lille (59).
Barracks 25 and 26 of ‘Block 1 of Oflag IID at Gross-Born’.
On the back of this watercolour, dated 21 September 1941 (40.5 cm × 25.6 cm), the artist, Mr Robert GRELAUD, wrote :
‘Gross-Born camp’.
Barracks A, B and C, identified as part of ‘Block 4 of Oflag IID at Gross-Born’. On the back of this watercolour, dated 14 September 1941 (41.5 cm × 27.2 cm), the artist, Mr Robert GRELAUD, wrote :‘Gross-Born camp’.
This is Barrack E, the northernmost of the five barracks labelled A to E in ‘Block IV of Oflag IID at Gross-Born’.
The watchtower marks the north-western corner of Oflag IID at Gross-Born.
The first ‘cemetery’ for Soviet prisoners from Stalag 302 – which was adjacent to and very close to Oflag IID – where around 950 prisoners who died of malnutrition or typhus in that Stalag are buried, is situated immediately to the west of this barrack, on the other side of the barbed wire fence of Oflag IID, no more than 30 metres away.
On the back of this watercolour dated 7 September 1941 (40 cm x 27.3 cm), the artist, Mr Robert GRELAUD, wrote :
‘Gross-Born camp’.
On the back of this undated drawing (27.5 cm × 21), the artist, Mr Robert GRELAUD, who signed it, wrote :
‘This is Corporal GALLO writing at his desk’.
On the back of this drawing, dated ‘15-3-41’ (27.5 cm × 21), the artist, Mr Robert GRELAUD, who signed it, wrote : ‘Corporal GALLO at the table.
In Gross-Born, a prisoners’ cell’.
On the back of this drawing, dated ‘5-3-41’ (27.5 cm × 21), the artist, Mr Robert GRELAUD, who signed it, wrote : ‘Prisoners’ cell at Gross-Born’.
On the back of this drawing, dated ‘4-10-41’ (27.2 cm × 20.4 cm), the artist, Mr Robert GRELAUD, has written :
‘Gross-Born camp’.
This drawing most certainly depicts a view of the western edge of Block IV of Oflag IID at Gross-Born.
On the back of this drawing, dated ‘2-10-41’ (27.1 cm × 20.5 cm), the artist, Mr Robert GRELAUD, who signed it, wrote : ‘Gross-Born camp’.
This drawing most certainly depicts a view of the western edge of Block IV of Oflag IID at Gross-Born and, given that the last two barracks of Block IV are visible to the north, it is likely to show :
- to the right of Barrack D in Block IV,
- to the left of Barrack E in Block IV.
On the back of this drawing, dated ‘5-10-41’ (27.5 cm × 21 cm), the artist, Mr Robert GRELAUD, has noted :
‘Gross-Born camp’.
This drawing most certainly depicts a view of the western edge of Block IV of Oflag IID at Gross-Born and, given the barrack in the background – which is undoubtedly Barrack 25 – the structure in the foreground is likely to be Barrack C of Block IV.
