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.

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/