Month: February 2026

THE GREAT ESCAPE

By Toby Graham – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toby_Graham

Unlike the movie of the same name, coincidentally my favourite ever war movie and there were a few when I was growing up, the escape plan I have heard most about, associated with PG 49 at Fontanellato, is the escape by just a handful of prisoners from the sports field at the rear of the Orphanage.

I had come across brief mentions of the escape in a number of the POW stories that largely crop up from posts on the Monte San Martino Trust website but, having kindly been gifted a copy of “Home by Christmas?” edited by Ian English, I finally get to read an authorized version of events by one of the men involved in the Escape.

Chapter 2 of that book is entitled “Early Escapes” and it provides us with a great insight into the mindset and the challenges of men incarcerated after their capture, and the Main Cast comprises of the following:-

  1. Graham, D.S. (Dominick Stuart or “Toby”), Capt., R.A. (106681) – The Author/Narrator
  2. Duke, D.O.C. (Denis), Capt., R.A. (91775) – who organised the ‘Escape Committee’
  3. Roncoroni, A.D.S. (Tony), Capt., R.A. (100946)
  4. Joscelyne, P.J. (Peter), Capt., R.T.R. (164126)
  5. Day, G.M. (Jimmy), Lt., Welch (94508)
  6. Ross, M.P. (Michael), Capt., Welch (137366)

Supporting ‘Actors’ of the Cast and Crew include:-

  • Hope, H.A. (Hugh), Maj., K.R.R.C. (65415) – who made the papier-mâché ‘dummies’
  • Goldingham, M.J.D. (Mike), Lt., 18 Cav. (EC. 3512) – ‘The Forger’
  • Pyman, H.D., Maj., For’ters. (53751) – took over charge of the Escape Committee
  • Colbeck, J.V. (“Crump”), Capt., R.T.R. (101039) – provision of equipment required
  • Comyn, J.A. (Jack), Lt., R.A.C., (66066) – involved in a later, again unsuccessful, escape attempt.

The great thing about this Chapter of Ian English’s book is that it confirms for me that every one of the above men were all in PG 49 at Fontanellato with my Dad.

Map of the Prison Camp (PG 49) and the location of the Escape

I’m so pleased to have finally received a copy of this fascinating book as it gives me a real sense of the atmosphere that would have prevailed in this camp, which my Dad must have experienced first-hand. And, whilst I will always be drawn to watching Steve McQueen and all the other wonderful characters that came together in that epic film again and again, I can’t help but feeling the raw energy that emanates from the pages of this Chapter as the individuals experience the tension, fear and even more extraordinarily, the sense of freedom whilst walking just outside of the camp after their escape and still not knowing what dangers lay ahead.

“There was a sweet smell of new hay in the air and the warm impression of a flower garden not so far away.
These gave me a feeling that I had never felt before; that I was experiencing beauty, that I was really appreciating it and that this moment would be with me forever.”

A Postscript by John Simkins to Prof Dominick “Toby” Graham, MC – https://msmtrust.org.uk/2025/06/24/a-gift-left-to-the-trust/

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“Home by Christmas?” – a ‘Gift’

One of the great things about being handed a ‘Gift’, such as this book that I recently received, edited by Ian English, entitled “Home by Christmas?”, is that it feels as though it provides me with an entirely fresh set of paints with which to paint my picture.

For me, learning about where my Dad was during the period 1939-1945 and reading about the people that he was with during that period, is helping me to picture what life was like for him during this tumultuous period in our history.

And so, when pouring through the pages of this book I can’t help but stop to dip my paint brush into the names and events that pop up on each page. And I find myself confirming things such as, yes this person does appear in my Roll Call, or that person performed this role in the Camp and, goodness, that’s what his nickname was. And so they become real people. Not just epitaphs, but REAL people. And part of me wants to be there.

And one of the greatest benefits of being handed this new box of paints is that it unearths, or maybe just cements for me, the role that these men played in this very poignant time in our lives. And I am thrilled when I see names popping out of the pages that I’m reading of this 1997 Edition of the book Edited by Ian English, of “Home by Christmas?”: –

  • and immediately Page 13 starts off with Peter Langrishe describing the setting of PG 49 at Fontanellato, explaining that “Behind was a field about 2 acres in size which we were given permission to turn into a playing field. Here rugby, soccer and basketball were played with gusto….. It later provided the opportunity for a small number of inmates to escape, as described by Toby Graham…”
  • It goes on to portray that “The prisoners enjoyed a tolerable standard of living due mainly to the expert catering ability of Lieut. Leon Blanchaert, a Belgian serving with the British army who spoke six languages, including Italian.“
  • And, their “allotment of Red Cross Parcels – one per man per week – was not distributed individually, but was taken into a central store under the control of C.D. ‘Kit’ Patterson…“
  • Also, “A popular venue was a bar run by Tommy Pitman, which opened for late morning and evening sessions. One could buy vermouth which was drinkable and either the cheap vino ‘molto ordinario’ which was quite dreadful, or more expensive wines, always provided one had the wherewithal.”
  • And further on “An amusing and interesting feature of camp life was the activities of ‘Opportunities Ltd.’ or ‘Opps’. This was a loose organisation run by Pilot Officer Bill Rainford or ‘Rainy’ as he was known. ‘Opps’ provided a multiplicity of services, for which he charged 10%, such as tailoring, watch repair, recovery of cigarette lighters dropped down loos, exchange of clothing, and also chocolate and cigarettes; in fact, almost anything except a means of escape from the camp.”
  • Also present were of course:-
    • Lt.-Col. Hugh Mainwaring who had been G.S.O.1 (Operations) at 8th Army Headquarters.
    • And the American journalist named Larry Allen, who had been on H.M.S. Ark Royal when she was sunk in the Mediterranean.

So, quite apart from being a great read, this book is confirming for me so many details, not only of life in the camp, but the men and the roles they played in its day-to-day function,

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1st July 1942 – DEIR EL SHEIN (Part 2)

The First Battle of El Alamein

Following on from my first Post about Deir el Shein and, as I continue to stumble upon fragments of my father’s wartime story, I’m starting to piece together the lives of so many men that he was ultimately to become associated with in PG 49 at Fontanellato. But how had it amounted to this?

“When General Norrie assumed command of the [Alamein] Line, after handing over Matruh on 23 June, he was disturbed by the wide gaps between the three fortified positions, but could do little with the troops at his disposal. Even the original boxes could not be adequately held, but he did try to fill the gap between El Alamein and Bab el Qattera by the establishment of a new position at Deir el Shein, which he assigned to 18th Indian Infantry Brigade…” – From Crisis in the Desert, p.272

And I already know that, from the story of Lieutenant Graham Francis OLDHAM, and notably Post #321 of a Thread on WW2Talk and Post #17 above:-

“Officer Commanding 18th Indian Infantry Brigade Signal Section. WWII. Western Desert Campaign. Published citation: In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field. No recommendation—For his conduct at Deir el Shein on 1 July 1942 in the First Battle of El Alamein during the Western Desert Campaign prior to being captured when the brigade was overrun.”
From a footnote: Captured in the Western Desert on 1 July 1942 and held in Italy at Campo 49 (Fontanellato) and at Oflag 79 at Brunswick, in Lower Saxony, Germany. (LG 11 April 1946; 37528, p. 1835.)

“So, was this when my Dad was captured in the Desert too?”

It’s very clear that 4/11 SIKH REGT is at the North West corner of this “Box” at Deir El Shein, 16 miles south of El Alamein, and I’m getting the distinct impression that my Dad is at the sharp end of an inevitable thrust by the Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel, himself.

A further Google search brought up something called the Feldgrau Forum providing information about:-

2/11th Sikh Regiment and 4/11th Sikh Regiment

“As for the 18th Brigade at Deir el Shein, the 4/11th Sikhs were on the NW of the box, the 2/5 Essex on the NE, the 2/3 Gurkhas on the E in a semi circle, and the 66th Field Company of Sappers & Miners on the SW. They were supported by 7 Matildas of the 42nd Royal Tank Regiment, 4 medium machine guns of the Cheshire Regiment, 2-pounders and 6 pounders manned by South African and Welsh units. Oh, and the 32nd Field Ambulance had an Advanced Dressing Station too. Sorry, I don’t really remember all the other units outside of the main battalions of the 18th Brigade since there was a huge mess in setting up the box, the 18th Brigade had no signal equipment, very little ammunition, and the supporting artillery came in too late and because the area of Deir el Shein was bedrock, there was not enough time to dig the guns in. As for the result of the battle, the Sikhs were overrun at 1730 hours, the Gurkhas at 1900 hours and Essex by 1930 hours. The Sikhs lost 3 officers and 370 other ranks with 7 officers and 500 other ranks missing. The Gurkhas lost 12 officers and 580 men, not sure of how many missing, but their commanding officer was captured.” – by DocAmerica Sun Aug 28, 2011: Moderator John W. Howard

One of my few recollections of my Dad talking about his wartime experiences was a very brief reference to suddenly being surrounded by German forces somewhere in the middle of the desert, ultimately leading to becoming a Prisoner of War in Italy. But that was it and how I wish I had pushed for more information then rather than looking now for lots of little needles in this vast haystack.

I already know that the very first post written by Tom O’Brien on Deir el Shein sources – July 1942 had identified the following list of 10 British Officers present with the Battalion on the midnight of 30/6/42. Sourced from WO169/7773 – The Battalion Diary of 4/11 Sikh Regiment. Commanding Officer – Lieut. Col. R. Bampfield.

So, of the 10 British Officers of the 4th Battalion 11th Sikh Regiment listed above only 3 officers, together with 370 Other Ranks, were recorded as being present at Amriya on 2nd July 1942 when the Roll Call was carried out. And these appear to have been:-

  • Lieutenant Richard Bampfield1
  • T/ Capt. Simon Anthony Cunningham (S.A.C.) Trestrail2
  • 2/ Lieut. Alan Cadell Barnes (A.C.B.) Wimbush

So, from that do we have to deduce that the following 7 British Officers were captured at Deir el Shein by the German forces on 1st July 1942? It certainly makes sense and when we look at the list of POW’s held in Italy what do we find?

  • A/Major G.F. Colley (M.C.) IA. 1134 – is at PG 21 Chieti in the Abruzzo region
  • A/Capt. J.R.M. Harris AI. 742 – is also at PG 21 Chieti in the Abruzzo region
  • A/Capt. A. McNiven (M.C.) EC. 125 – PG 78 Sulmona
  • 2/Lieut. A.G.R. Willis EC. 1357 – PG 49 Fontanellato near Parma
  • 2 Lieut. M. Morrison EC. 2317 – PG 29 Viano near Reggio
  • 2/Lieut. S.J. Ward EC. 1821 – ??
  • 2/ Lieut. J.U. Knox EC. 2786 – PG 29 Viano near Reggio

Having established that 2/5th Battalion the Essex Regiment were also present at Deir el Shein as part of the 18th Indian Infantry Brigade, I feel honour bound to post a document that I was lucky enough to come across in Post #19 on the WW2Talk website as part of the Thread relating to Deir el Shein sources – July 1942. A transcript was kindly provided and very much mirrors the Battalion Diary of 4/11th Sikhs that I first came across and posted under Another piece of the Jigsaw:-

Report on Action 18th Indian V1Download

……. although I’m pleased that some comments questioned the criticism levelled at the Sikh Regiment towards the end of the report.

Auchinleck’s Despatch No.2 (1/11/41-15/8/42) says on pg. 92 of the action:

‘Only one infantry battalion survived the attack, but the stand made by the Brigade certainly gained valuable time for the organization of the El Alamein line generally’.

  1. Richard Bampfield (13th August 1898 – 11th August 1964) was an English first-class cricketer and an officer in the British Indian Army. Bampfield was born at Frome in August 1898. He was educated at St Edward’s School, Oxford. From there, he went to British India to attend the Cadet College at Wellington, graduating from there into the British Indian Army as a Second Lieutenant in June 1917, with him seeing action in the final fifteen months of the First World War. By December 1919, he held the rank of Lieutenant and acted in the capacity of an aide-de-camp until February 1920.
    Promotion to Captain would follow, with a further promotion to Major coming in June 1935. Bampfield was a member of the 11th Sikh Regiment and spent time as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy beginning in July 1937. Bampfield would serve with the 11th Sikh in the Second World War, seeing action in the Middle East campaign for which he was mentioned in despatches in December 1941. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel during the war in June 1943. He retired from active service in September 1948, three years after the end of the war and a year after Indian Independence; the latter event had seen him transferred to the specialist list of the British Army. Bampfield died at Rustington on 11th August 1964, two days before his 66th birthday. ↩︎
Trestrail, Simon Anthony CunninghamDownload
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