Private David Thomas Griffiths
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3324/128
Name: 7627919 Pte Griffiths, David Thomas.
Unit: 32nd A.T.B. Workshop, R.A.O.C.
Captured: Tobruk, 21st June 1942.
Left: Switzerland, 8th October 1944.
Arrived: In U.K., 2nd November 1944.
Date of Birth: 28th June 1916.
Army Service: Since 15th April 1940.
Peacetime Profession: Lorry Driver.
Private Address: 5 Bankyfelin, Carmarthen.
1. CAPTURE.
I was captured at TOBRUK on 21 Jun 42.
2. CAMPS IN WHICH IMPRISONED.
Campo No. 51 (ALTAMURA) Aug - Oct 42.
Campo No. 73 (CARPI) Oct 42 - Mar 43.
Campo No. 53 (MACERATA) Mar - Jul 43.
Working Camp No. 133/19 (NOVARA) Jul - Sep 43.
3. ATTEMPTED ESCAPES.
Nil.
4. LEFT WORKING CAMP NO. 133/19 (NOVARA) (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 10, J 76).
We remained in the camp for two days after the Armistice. On 10 Sep 43 the whole camp was moved by the Italian guards to a point some distance away, where they left us.
I set off in a party consisting of Dvr FRASER (S/P.G.(-) 2704), Dvr. LORD, R.A.S.C., Sgmn FINDLAY and Dvr COTTINGTON, R.A.S.C. We exchanged our uniform for civilian clothing with Italian peasants and then decided to remain in the neighbourhood for a while. For two weeks we lived in the open, hiding in the undergrowth and living on raw fruits. At the beginning of Oct we were discovered by a woodcutter, who brought us clothing and kept us continually supplied with food for about four weeks.
In Nov he warned us that the Germans had heard of our presence and were coming for us. He led us to a small village near BORGOSESIA (Sheet 2, J 59) where we joined the partisans. About Dec we all moved to VARALLO (D 50) where we lived in a dugout for about three weeks. During this time we were joined by Pte Frank JOCKOMSON, and Pte MURRAY both of the Australian Army. We later returned to the village near BORGOSESIA with food, ammunition and another large party of partisans. The same month we ambushed a party of Fascists, killing 45 and wounding many more. At the end of Jan 44 the Germans attacked our camp with 3,000 men. They burnt down the village and killed many partisans, so we were forced to retreat into the mountains. We were befriended by a peasant, who fed and sheltered us till May, when we rejoined the partisans.
In Jun we captured BORGOSESIA which we held for two months. At the end of Jul our supplies were exhausted and we had to abandon the town. We went with the partisans to VALDUGGIA (J 59) but were forced to disperse owing to lack of ammunition. In Sep we met Dvr DANIELS (S/P.G.(-)2705) and Rfmn DUFF (S/P.G.(-)2702) and together made our way to SWITZERLAND which we reached on 19 Sep.
We left SWITZERLAND on 8 Oct 44 for MARSEILLES from where we sailed to NAPLES.
Sgmn FINDLAY was captured by the Germans in Jan 44 and shot at VARALLO where he lies buried. In this town the partisans have erected a stone to the memory of one British and six Australian soldiers.
Private Arthur Daniels
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3324/131
Name: 183397 Dvr. Daniels, Arthur.
Unit: 31 Company, R.A.S.C.
Captured: Tobruk, 22nd June 1942.
Left: Switzerland, 8th October 1944.
Arrived: U.K., 2nd November 1944.
Date of Birth: 16th June 1916.
Army Service: Since 4th April 1940.
Peacetime Profession: Gardener.
Private Address: c/o Miss Daniels, 45 Meadow Grove, High Ford, Hylton, Sunderland.
1. Capture:
I was captured on 22 Jun 42 at TOBRUK.
2. Camps in which imprisoned:
Camp in DERNA 26 Jun - 30 Jun 42.
Camp in BENGHAZI Jul 42.
Camp in BRINDISI Aug 42.
Campo No. 8 (BENEVENTO) Sep - Oct 42.
Campo No. 66 (CAPUA) 4 - 18 Nov 42.
Campo No. 53 (MACERATA) Nov 42 - May 43.
Working Camp No. 106/22 (VERCELLI) May - Sep 43.
3. Attempted Escapes:
Nil.
4. Left Working Camp No. 106/22 (VERCELLI) (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 9, J 76).
For two days after the conclusion of the Armistice with ITALY the guards refused to set us free. On 10 Sep 43, however, guards friendly towards us were posted as sentries, and while they turned their backs on us we pulled down the wire and escaped. The whole camp got out in this way.
I went with Dvr. HOPE, R.A.S.C. and Gnr. HOLLANDS, R.A. We were given civilian clothes by some Italians and made our way to a farm in VILLARBOIT (Sheet 9, J 56) where we were given some food. We remained in the village staying at various addresses until the end of Nov, when we met three other escapers, HOLLINGSWORTH, Tank Corps, HOPKINSON, R.A.S.C. and GOLDEN, Rifle Brigade. We decided to take these three men to SWITZERLAND and made our way towards the SWISS frontier which we reached about the beginning of Dec. Here we arranged for a guide to take them into SWITZERLAND.
HOPE, HOLLANDS and I decided not to go with them as we did not wish to be interned. We returned to a point near STRESA (Sheet 3, D 71) where we joined a group of partisans for two days and then went back to VILLARBOIT where we picked up another seven British Ps/W, among whom were FARRIER, Tank Corps, EDWARDS, Royal Hussars, CROMPTON, R.A.S.C. and a man called HATCHER. We took these men to the SWISS frontier and gave them instructions as to where to contact a guide. They arrived safely in SWITZERLAND towards the end of Dec.
We again returned towards VERCELLI. On 3 Jan 44 HOLLANDS decided to make his way to SWITZERLAND where he eventually arrived. HOPE and I roamed round the countryside until May when we joined a group of partisans at SUNO (Sheet 10, J 88). We were supplied with arms and food by the R.A.F. We captured GOZZANO (Sheet 2, J 69) but the Germans recaptured it a few days later. Shortly afterwards we took to GRAVELLONA (D 61), but only held it for one day. During this engagement, HOPE was killed and I think he is buried in OMEGNA (D 61).
On 15 Sep I met a large party of British fighting with the partisans, amongst them being Rfmn. DUFF (S/P.G.(-) 2702), Pte. GRIFFITHS (S/P.G.(-) 2693), Dvr. LORD, R.A.S.C., COTTINGTON, R.A.S.C., MULLER, S.A. Army and JOCKOMSON, BENNETT and BARWOOD of the Australian Army. By this time we had run out of ammunition and food and decided to make for SWITZERLAND. The three Australians remained behind.
We reached SWITZERLAND on 19 Sep. We reported to the Swiss guards and were sent to a quarantine camp.
We left SWITZERLAND on 8 Oct by train for MARSEILLES which we reached on 11 Oct and sailed for NAPLES on 15 Oct. We left SALERNO by sea for the U.K. about 24 Oct and arrived in LIVERPOOL on 2 Nov.
Driver Patrick Fraser
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3324/132
Name: T/189252 Dvr. Fraser, Patrick.
Unit: 309 Company, R.A.S.C.
Captured: Sidi Aziz, 27th November 1941.
Left: Switzerland, 8th October 1944.
Arrived: U.K., 2nd November 1944.
Date of Birth: 11th April 1915.
Army Service: Since 16th May 1940.
Peacetime Profession: Lorry Driver.
Private Address: 253d Bank Street, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.
1. Capture:
I was captured at SIDI AZIZ on 27 Nov 41.
2. Camps in which imprisoned:
Campo No. 59 (SERVIGLIANO) Jan - Dec 42.
Campo No. 53 (MACERATA) Jan - Jul 43.
Working Camp No. 133/19 (NOVARA) Jul - Sep 43.
3. Attempted Escapes:
Nil.
4. Left Working Camp No. 133/19 (NOVARA) (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 10, J 76).
We remained in the camp for two days after the Armistice with ITALY. On 10 Sep 43 the whole camp was moved by the Italian guards to a point some distance from the camp where they left us.
I set off in a party consisting of Dvr. LORD, R.A.S.C., Sgmn. FINDLAY, Dvr. COTTINGTON, R.A.S.C. and Pte. GRIFFITHS (S/P.G.(-) 2708). The story of my journey is the same as that of Pte. GRIFFITHS.
Rifleman Norman Duff
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3324/134
Name: 6846122 Rfmn. Duff, Norman.
Unit: 1st Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps, 7th Division, 8th Army.
Captured: Sidi Rezegh, 22nd November 1941.
Left: Switzerland, 8th October 1944.
Arrived: U.K., 2nd November 1944.
Date of Birth: 26th October 1915.
Army Service: Since 25th March 1938.
Peacetime Profession: Regular Army.
Private Address: 122 Beverley Road, Whitley Bay, Northumberland.
1. CAPTURE.
I was captured at SIDI REZEGH on 22 Nov 41.
2. CAMPS IN WHICH IMPRISONED.
BENGHAZI Hospital Dec 41.
Campo No. 66 (CAPUA) Jan 42.
Campo No. 59 (SERVIGLIANO) Jan 42 - May 43.
Campo No. 53 (MACERATA) Mar - May 43.
Working Camp No. 106/22 (VERCELLI) May - Sep 43.
3. ATTEMPTED ESCAPES.
Nil.
4. LEFT WORKING CAMP NO. 106/22 (VERCELLI) (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 9, J 65).
Two days after the conclusion of the Italian Armistice (10 Sep 43) I forced my way through the wire and out of the camp while the guards turned away. I was with a party of four others, L/Cpl DUNHILL, The Buffs, Pte. EDWARDS, The Buffs, L/Cpl. HARRISON, D.L.I., and Pte. HAY, D.L.I. We walked to VILLARBOIT (Sheet 9, J 56) where we worked on a farm in return for our board and keep.
Sometime in Nov my companions left with the intention of getting to SWITZERLAND which I think they reached. I remained at the farm until 10 Jan 44 when I left to join a band of partisans operating in the area.
I remained with the partisans - taking part in their activities till Sep 44 when I met Dvr. FRASER (S/P.G.(-)2704) and Pte. GRIFFITHS (S/P.G.(-)2708) and accompanied them to SWITZERLAND. The story of my journey is the same as that of Pte. GRIFFITHS.
Working in the same partisan band with which I was connected were Pte. James WARREN, R.A.S.C., Cpl. William WILLIAMS, S.W.B. and L/Cpl. MEEHAN, Q.O.C.H. The last time I heard of them was in Jun 44.
I also heard that Bdr. DUNMORE, R.A. and Gdsmn. J. FENTON, Scots Guards were in my vicinity in Jun 44.