Private Hugh William Morgan
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3325/80
Name: 5251347 Pte. Morgan, Hugh William, Palestine Medal.
Unit: 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment.
Captured: 26th June 1942.
Left: Naples, 9th February 1945.
Arrived: In U.K., 21st February 1945.
Date of Birth: 3rd April 1915.
Army Service: Since 1st January 1938.
Peacetime Profession: Regular Army.
Private Address: Court Villa, Penrhyncoch, Bowstreet, Aberystwyth.
1. Capture:
I was captured at TOBRUK on 26 Jun 42.
2. Camps in which imprisoned:
TOBRUK 2 days,
DERNA 2 days,
BENGHAZI
6 weeks,
Campo 75 (BARI)
Nov 42 - Jan 43,
Campo 70 (MONTE URANO) Aug 42 - Sep 43.
3. Attempted escapes:
Nil.
4. Journey from Campo 70 (MONTE URANO):
During the time that I was in Campo 70 (MONTE URANO) (ITALY, 1:250,000, Sheet 25, S 70) I was acting Interpreter at the hospital which was run by British doctors. After the armistice the guards grew very lax and on 12 Sep 43 many of the P/W walked out of the camp. I went with Sgt. FARRELL (Regiment unknown) to FERMO (X 79) where we found shelter with an Italian nurse for two days. While we were here we were given civilian clothing. We also heard at this time that the Germans had taken over the camp.
About 15 Sep we walked to MONTERUBBIANO (X 78) where we stayed with an Italian family for about a week. There was much Fascist activity in the area at this time and we were forced to move frequently in order to avoid being caught.
For the next ten months we were continually on the move, staying at various farms in the area for a few days at a time. I lost contact with FARRELL sometime in February or March 44. I was almost captured three times; twice in Apr 44 and the third time a short while later, when I was forced to leave a farmhouse hurriedly as the Fascists came up the drive. They saw me leave and shot at me, but I was able to get away.
I made contact with British forces on 3 Jul 44, in MONTERUBBIANO. Four days later I was sent to FERMO.
I left NAPLES on 9 Feb 45 by boat for the U.K.