Guardsman Thomas Roy McGibbney
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3325/25
Name: 2699497 Gdsmn. McGibbney, Thomas Roy.
Unit: 2nd Battalion The Scots Guards.
Captured: Tobruk, 13th June 1942.
Left: Naples, 26th October 1944.
Arrived: In U.K., 4th November 1944.
Date of Birth: 10th August 1920.
Army Service: Since 15th August 1940.
Peacetime Profession: Electric welder.
Private Address: 33 Byron Street, Patrick West, Glasgow.
1. CAPTURE:
I was captured South of TOBRUK on 13 Jun 42.
2. CAMPS IN WHICH IMPRISONED:
P/W Camp (DERNA) Jun 42
P/W Camp (TRIPOLI) Jun - Nov 42.
Transit Camp (NAPLES) Dec 42.
Campo 66 (CAPUA) Dec 42.
Campo 53 (MACERATA) 17 Dec 42 - 14 Sep 43.
3. ATTEMPTED ESCAPES:
On 16 Dec 42 we were sent by train from Campo 66 (CAPUA) to Campo 53 (MACERATA). We were put into closed trucks and closely guarded. After travelling for about 10 hours the train stopped at a station. The guard got out and forgot to lock the door. I jumped out and made a dash for it. The sentry fired at me, but missed. Two Italian railway workers, however, grabbed me, and took me back to the truck, where the guard struck me with his rifle.
4. JOURNEY FROM CAMPO 53 (MACERATA). (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 24, S 57).
On the conclusion of the Armistice with ITALY on 8 Sep 43 we were ordered not to leave the camp. Together with five other men, however, I decided to try to get away. These men were:- Sgt/Major ALTON, C.M.P., Sgt/Major HEWITSON, D.C.M., Tpr. John MULLIGAN, Cpl. JAMES, R.T.R. and one other sergeant. We planned to get away as best as could and to meet in the hills.
We escaped on 14 Sep, MULLIGAN and I managed to get Italian uniforms and went into the Italian barracks adjoining the camp. The confusion there was so great that we managed to walk out of the camp with some Italian soldiers, who showed us the road to FOGGIA (Sheet 37, J 21), where we hoped to contact our own troops.
We met the other members of our party as arranged and walked for about 30 miles that day. We spent the night in the fields. On 15 Sep we reached MASSA FERMANA (Sheet 25, X 59) where we met many other British ex-P/W. We were put in touch with an Italian woman who gave us food and money.
At this point we decided to split up. I was just about to leave MASSA FERMANA when I met an Italian who advised me to stay another few days, saying that the British would soon be there. He gave me clothing and took me to an address where I remained until Jul 44.
On 26 Jul I contacted Polish troops at FERMO (X 79). I was given transport to ORTONA (Sheet 29, C 31) where I reported to a British Army captain. From here I was sent to NAPLES which I reached on 28 Jul. I worked in a Military Police unit in NAPLES until I left for the U.K. on 26 Oct.