Robert Kelly. Date of Birth: 20/07/1920. Place of Birth: Lancashire.

The request was refused by National Archives.

Dear National Archives,
Please can you disclose all information relating to my Fathers detention and forced labour during his time as a POW, his liberation and repatriation to the UK?

Re:
This record is closed

Opening date: 01 January 2021

Reference: WO 416/206/161
Description:
Name: Robert Kelly.
Date of Birth: 20/07/1920.
Place of Birth: Lancashire.
Service: British Army.
Rank: Private.
Regiment/Unit/Squadron: 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.
Service Number: 3386326.
Date of Capture: 30/05/1940.
Theatre of Capture: Dunkirk.

Camp Name/Number: Stalag VIIIB Lamsdorf.
POW number: 11718.
Date of Death: [unspecified].
Number of Photographs: 1.
Number of Fingerprints: 1.
Number of X-rays: 0.
Number of Cards: 2.
Date: [1939-1945]
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Closed Or Retained Document, Open Description
Access conditions: Closed Until 2021
Record opening date: 01 January 2021

Yours faithfully,

James Kelly

FOI Requests, National Archives

Dear James Kelly,
 
Thank you for your information request to The National Archives. We are
handling your request and have given it reference number CAS-66588-C0W1N3.
 
We will update you on the progress of your request by 01/02/2021 23:59.
 
Your request is being processed by The National Archives’ Freedom of
Information Centre. To learn more about the work of the FOI centre please
visit the following webpage: [1]www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/foi/
 
Yours sincerely,
 
The Freedom of Information Centre
Government & Information Rights 
The National Archives
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FOI Requests, National Archives

Dear Mr Kelly,
 
In line with the new restrictions in London, The National Archives’
reading room service has been suspended for the wellbeing of our visitors,
staff and suppliers. Processing of FOI Requests will continue to be
affected, as staff access to records is currently restricted. Please see
our website for the latest updates on our services and the availability of
our collections:
[1]https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/abou...
 
Thank you for your enquiry of 04/01/2021 regarding a review of:
 
WO 416/206/161 
 
This record is already open and available to the public here at The
National Archives, Kew under reference, WO 416/206/161
 
We will therefore not be processing your Freedom of Information request
for this record/extract.
 
Below are your options for ordering and viewing records at The National
Archives:
 
1. Visiting The National Archives
 
You are welcome to visit us - please check our website for details of our
opening hours and registration requirements:
[2]www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/visit/before-you-visit.htm
 
2. Paid search on your behalf
 
If a personal visit is not convenient you may wish to use our Paid Search
service or employ an independent researcher.  Details are on our website:
[3]www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/paid_research.htm
 
3. Ordering copies
 
If you would prefer to order a copy of the record, please search for the
record's reference number (as provided above) using our catalogue:
[4]http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
 
Then click on the "Order a copy" link and follow the instructions. Full
details on how to use our copying service can be found on our website:
[5]www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordcopying/
 
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request or the decision
which has been reached, you have the right to ask for an internal review.
Internal review requests must be submitted within two months of the date
of this response and should be addressed to:
 
Quality Manager 
Programme Management Office
The National Archives
Kew
Richmond
Surrey 
TW9 4DU
[6][email address]
 
Please mark your complaint clearly. You have the right to ask the
Information Commissioner to investigate any aspect of your complaint.
However, please note that the Information Commissioner is likely to expect
internal complaints procedures to have been exhausted before beginning her
investigation.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
FOI Manager
Freedom of Information Centre
Government & Information Rights
The National Archives
 
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4. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
5. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recor...
6. mailto:[email address]

Dear National Archives,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of National Archives's handling of my FOI request 'Robert Kelly. Date of Birth: 20/07/1920. Place of Birth: Lancashire.'.

Re: Ordering and viewing options. THIS RECORD HAS NOT BEEN DIGITISED AND CANNOT BE DOWNLOADED.

I’ve patiently waited for over twenty years since my father’s death in March 1998 for this information you held, and kept secret until his 100th year!

Like many POW’s he would never discuss the inhumanities he suffered in the forced labour camp or his long march to freedom (Death March) from January 1945.

All the information you hold on my father must be released immediately under FOI regulations!

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/r...

Yours faithfully,

James Kelly

FOI Requests, National Archives

Dear James Kelly,
 
I acknowledge receipt of your request for an internal review of The
National Archives' handling of your recent information request and have
given it the reference number CAS-66607-X4H0W8.
Your request has been forwarded to a Freedom of Information Manager, who
will be in touch within 20 working days from the date of receipt – that is
to say, on or before 03/02/2021 23:59.
If you are still dissatisfied, having followed all the stages of our
internal complaints system, you should contact: 
The Information Commissioner
Wycliff House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
 
Yours sincerely, 
The Freedom of Information Centre
Government & Information Rights
The National Archives
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FOI Requests, National Archives

Dear Mr Kelly,

Review of complaint about access request: Appeal by Mr Kelly against The
National Archives’ decision in regards to your request for access to the
following record. 

WO 416/206/161: Prisoners of War: Robert Kelly
Your appeal is still being considered. We will provide you with a further
update on this case, on or before 3rd March 2021. My apologies that we
have not been able to respond to your request within the recommended time
frame.

[1]https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisatio...

Yours sincerely,

FOI Manager
Freedom of Information Centre
Government & Information Rights
The National Archives
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FOI Requests, National Archives

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Kelly, 
 
Please find attached our response to your request for an internal review
into our handling of your FOI request for access to the following record: 
 
WO 416/206/161: Prisoners of War: Robert Kelly
 
Please accept my apologies for the delay in providing you with a response
to your request. 
 
Your sincerely, 
 
Conor Gregan 
 
FOI Manager 
Freedom of Information Centre 
Government & Information Rights 
The National Archives 
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