Origins of the Colditz Society Early in 1991 Hugh Bruce and Kenneth Lockwood approached Michael Booker and David Ray asking for their thoughts on establishing a group that would continue the work of the Colditz Association. Michael and David had been meeting regularly since 1974 to chat about Oflag IVc. Things moved swiftly. The name Colditz Society was chosen, former member David Farnsworth devised the logo and the first newsletter was sent to the twenty-one members in October of the same year. David Ray was invited to attend Association committee meetings as the Society representative and Kenneth Lockwood was invited to attend Society committee meetings as the Association representative. The aim of the Society, then and now, reads as follows : To help preserve historical records and memorabilia, increase awareness and information about Colditz for its members and to perpetuate the spirit and objectives of the former prisoners of Oflag, IVc, Colditz. Beneath the Society logo on the front of each newsletter is written. “In the spirit of the Colditz Association.” That first newsletter was typed and photocopied by Michael Booker at work in New Bond Street. The Society's first meeting was held at Bonhams on 7th May 1994. Hugh Bruce was our guest speaker. In 1995 Patrick Gale joined Michael, David and Adrian Simmonds on the committee and there was the first visit to Colditz, now located in a united Germany. Today the Society produces two newsletters a year as well as hosting two meetings in London and there are periodic trips to the continent with a Colditz theme. We have reached the sixties with newsletters and our numbers at Union Jack Club meetings still hold up well.