LONDON, May 7. /Dunyo IA/. An article by Olga Ivshina titled “Finding Soldier Tom: Unraveling the family mystery of a Soviet World War II prisoner of war” has been published on the BBC website, dedicated to the remarkable story of Uzbekistan native Bokijon Akramov, whose fate remained unknown for over 80 years, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The publication reveals that Bokijon Akramov, known on the island of Jersey as Tom, was one of approximately two thousand Soviet prisoners of war and forced laborers brought by the Nazis to the Channel Islands to build defensive fortifications during World War II.

In 1943, he escaped a Nazi forced labor camp on Jersey. Exhausted and frail, he was taken in by John and Phyllis Le Breton, who risked their lives to hide him in their home for over two years, saving him from certain death.

After the liberation of the Channel Islands in 1945, Bokijon Akramov was sent back to the Soviet Union. For a while, he maintained contact with his saviors; however, the correspondence eventually ceased, and his further fate remained unknown for many decades.

BBC journalists identified a former prisoner of war, Bokijon Akramov, following extensive archival research. This investigation led correspondents to the Namangan region of Uzbekistan, where they located his descendants.

His grandson, Shamsiddin Akhunbaev, confirmed that the photos kept by the Le Bretons were indeed of his grandfather. Relatives say Bokijon Akramov rarely spoke about his wartime experiences or his time in captivity.

Former Soviet POWs often faced widespread suspicion and career restrictions upon returning home, with many, like Bokijon Akramov, relegated to menial work despite their skills. Akramov worked for many years as a gardener in Namangan, highlighting the post-war struggles of those who were often treated as traitors.

Facilitated by the BBC, a video call took place between Akramov’s family in Uzbekistan and Dulcie Le Breton, the daughter of his rescuers, who still lives on Jersey.

Government of Uzbekistan posthumously awarded John and Phyllis Le Breton the Order of Friendship. Their daughter, Dulcie Le Breton, received the high state honor on their behalf for their courage and humanity during the war.