Lance-Corporal Thomas Collier
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3325/24
Name: T/86307 L/Cpl. Collier, Thomas.
Unit: 31 Company, R.A.S.C.
Left: Lyons, 2nd January 1944.
Arrived: In U.K., 2nd January 1944.
Date of Birth: 4th January 1914.
Army Service: Since 3rd March 1939.
Peacetime Profession: L.P.T.B.
Private Address: 57 Epsom Road, Morden, Surrey.
1. CAPTURE:
I was captured at MERSA MATRUH on 29 Jun 42.
2. CAMPS IN WHICH IMPRISONED:
Campo 66 (CAPUA) 10 Jul 42.
Campo 87 (BENEVENTO) 11 Jul - 15 Nov 42.
Campo 53 (MACERATA) 15 Nov 42 - 30 Jul 43.
Working Camp No. 148/VI (BONAVIGO) 30 Jul - 8 Sep 43.
3. ATTEMPTED ESCAPES:
I escaped from BONAVIGO (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 12, F 8634) on 8 Sep 43 by cutting the wire of the compound. I went to the farm on which I worked as a P/W and was given civilian clothing. I then made my way into BONAVIGO, where I was given shelter by an Italian family. That night I was arrested by the Camp Commandant, who had been told by another P/W that I had escaped. I was immediately taken back to the camp.
4. JOURNEY FROM WORKING CAMP NO. 148/VI (BONAVIGO):
The story of my journey from the Working Camp is the same as that of Dvr. CLAXTON (S/P.G.(-) 2838). I was with him till we reached BEGOSSO (Sheet 12, F 9621) on 4 Nov, when we went to live with different families. During the time I was here, till Dec 44, I stayed at two separate addresses. I also joined a band of partisans operating in the next village for a time.
On 4 Nov 44 I was taken by lorry to MILAN, where I once again met Dvr. CLAXTON. The story of my journey to SWITZERLAND on 23 Dec and from there to FRANCE on 1 Jan 45, is the same as that of Dvr. CLAXTON. I left LYONS on 2 Jan by air for the U.K.
Driver Harvey Vivian Claxton
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3325/28
Name: T/130621 Dvr. Claxton, Harvey Vivian.
Unit: 903 Company, R.A.S.C.
Captured: Tobruk, 20th June 1942.
Left: Lyons, 2nd January 1944.
Arrived: U.K., 2nd January 1944.
Date of Birth: 1st September 1915.
Army Service: Since 1st January 1940.
Peacetime Profession: Removal contractor.
Private Address: Flat, Station Stores, South Banfleet, Essex.
1. CAPTURE:
I was captured at TOBRUK on 20 Jun 42.
2. CAMPS IN WHICH IMPRISONED:
P/W Camp (TOBRUK) 20 - 26 Jun 42.
P/W Camp (DERNA) 26 Jun - Jul 42.
P/W Camp (BENGHAZI) Jul - mid Aug 42.
Transit Camp (BRINDISI) end Aug 42.
Campo 87 (BENEVENTO) Sep - mid Nov 42.
Campo 66 (CAPUA) end Nov 42.
Campo 53 (MACERATA) Nov 42 - Mar 43.
Working Camp No. 148/VI (BONAVIGO) Mar - Sep 43.
3. ATTEMPTED ESCAPES:
Nil.
4. Journey from Working Camp No. 148/VI (BONAVIGO): (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 12, F 8634).
On the conclusion of the Armistice with ITALY on 8 Sep 43 we were told by the Italians that we were to remain in the camp, as the British would be there in a few days' time.
The next day we heard that the Germans were taking over all the camps, and the whole camp moved out in two parties of about 35 men each. We took with us all the Red Cross parcels we could collect. We marched out about 1500 hours escorted by the Italian guards, who, however, left us after a very short time. Ten minutes after we had left, the Germans marched into the camp.
We made for the open country as fast as we could and eventually hid in a large ditch, overhung with trees, about three miles away. The whole party remained hiding in this ditch for about a month. We were fed by a local farmer, and our diet consisted chiefly of potatoes, bread and milk.
At the beginning of Oct we heard that the Germans were coming to search the area and were forced to scatter. I went with L/Cpl. COLLIER (S/P.G.(-)2842) to a farm close by at a small village called ORTE (two miles from BONAVIGO) where we obtained shelter for a week. We dared not leave the house for fear of being recaptured. While we were here we made contact with another family living close by and went to stay with them.
About 25 Oct the Fascists began searching the area, and a few days later our hosts took us by cart to stay with relatives at BEGOSSO (F 9621) which we reached about 4 Nov. I remained here for almost a year, while COLLIER went to stay at another address in the town. I remained in hiding in BEGOSSO throughout this long period, as there were many Fascists living in the area and to move any distance would have been extremely dangerous, the more so as I did not know the language. Several times during my stay I was forced to move for a night or a day into the fields when the Fascists conducted their search parties.
About Dec 43 I was visited by an Italian who said that he had been sent by the British to take Allied soldiers in hiding into SWITZERLAND. Shortly after the visit the guards on the frontier were doubled and the plan fell through.
In Jul 44 I contacted a band of partisans operating in the area and working with them, though I continued to feed and sleep with my hosts. In Sep the Fascists conducted an intensive search with heavy arms, and the band was forced to disperse. The locality became very dangerous foe me, and for about seven days I was forced to hide in a hole in a ditch, being fed at night by my host.
About 19 Oct I left BEGOSSO on a bicycle accompanied by an Italian guide for LENDINARA (Sheet 13, G 11) to stay with relatives of my helpers. We first of all tried to cross the river ADIGE by barge, but we had to abandon this plan owing to the presence of a large number of German troops. Our next attempt was the bridge at BADIA POLESINE (G 01), but that also proved impossible, as it was guarded. We finally crossed over in a boat further down the river. We did not have to produce any papers this time, as the German guard who usually travelled on the boat had been left behind on this trip.
I stayed at LENDINARA for a day and a night, after which I was taken by lorry to MILAN (Sheet 10, K 26) where I arrived on 26 Oct. Three or four weeks later, COLLIER was brought to the same address.
During the time we were here we seldom went out, since MILAN is a Fascist stronghold. On 15 Dec MUSSOLINI visited the city and stayed for about three days. He was greeted with enthusiasm by the population.
During our stay in MILAN arrangements were made for a guide to take us into SWITZERLAND. We left on 23 Dec and crossed over the frontier the same day.
We left SWITZERLAND on 1 Jan 45 and reached LYONS that night. We reported to a British Officer and the next day we were flown to the U.K. via PARIS.