Trooper Raymond Bruce Watson
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3325/27
Name: 7906725 Tpr. Watson, Raymond Bruce.
Unit: 4th Battalion The Royal Tank Regiment.
Captured: Fort Capuzzo, 17th June 1941.
Left: Naples, 23rd October 1944
Arrived: U.K., 4th November 1944.
Date of Birth: 18th November 1918.
Army Service: Since 5th February 1940.
Peacetime Profession: Line etcher.
Private Address: 103 Sidney Road, Watford, Hertfordshire.
1. CAPTURE.
I was captured at FORT CAPUZZO (Libya) on 17 Jun 41.
2. CAMPS IN WHICH IMPRISONED.
P/W Camp (BENGHAZI) 30 Jun - 13 Dec 41.
P/W Camp (BRINDISI) 15 Dec - 30 Dec 41
Campo 59 (SERVIGLIANO) 1 Jan 42 - 28 Jan 43.
Campo 53 (MACERATA) 29 Jan - 15 Sep 43.
3. ATTEMPTED ESCAPES.
Nil.
4. JOURNEY FROM CAMPO 53 (MACERATA) (ITALY, 1:250,000, Sheet 24, S 51).
After the Armistice with ITALY the guards remained on in the camp, and we were told that we were not to try to escape. About 13 Sep 43 several of us made an attempt to get out, but we were stopped by the Italians who were manning the searchlights.
On 15 Sep the guards left their posts, and Capt FREWEN, R.A.M.C., took over the camp. During the change over I escaped with Sgt FLOWERS, R.T.R., Sgt GRAY, R.T.R., and Sgt PARNELL, R.A. We were able to force the lock of a side door near the officers' quarters and walk out. We took with us a Red Cross parcel each, a compass, and some underwear. That day we walked to UBISAGLIA (Sheet 24, S 4902) where we found shelter at a farm just outside the town.
The next day (16 Sep) we walked to LORO PICENO (X 5397), where we stayed at a farm. Sgt. FLOWERS moved elsewhere after a week, and Sgt. GRAY left the farm about three weeks later. PARNELL and I stayed until 2 Oct, when we moved to another farm in the vicinity. PARNELL left sometime in Mar 44, and I did not see him again.
I remained at this farm until Jul 44. In Jun Allied forces entered the town and I reported to a Polish officer, who told me to go to FERMO. Shortly afterwards, I contracted Malaria and was ill for some weeks without receiving any attention. On 27 Jul Sgt GRAY, who by this time had reached PORTO S. GIORGIO, arranged for an ambulance to pick me up. I was taken to the Polish hospital, where I spent the night, and then was flown to No. 98 General Hospital at BARI.
I remained in BARI till 6 Aug, when I was sent to NAPLES. I left NAPLES on 23 Oct for the U.K.