Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance-Corporal

Unit:

Headquarters, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, British Army

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1944

Citation:
"SHAW was captured near FUKA on 29 Jun 42, and was sent via BENGHAZI to MONTURANO (Camp 70).
Obeying the orders of the Senior British Officer, SHAW did not try to escape after the Armistice until the Germans had taken over the camp. Entrained for GERMANY on 25 Sep 43, he scrambled through the barless ventilator of the truck near PESARO. In so doing he injured himself, but after hiding in a cane brake was found by an Italian woman. He stayed in PESARO until the middle of Jan 44, when he journeyed south, joining a rebel band at ROYTE. Two months later it was arranged that SHAW should be included in a party of P/W to be escorted through the lines. When the guide falied to arrive and SHAW unsuccessfully tried to obtain another, the party proceeded to MONTE CESCINSIONE. Here they received help and for three days were guided towards Allied lines.
They were successfully concealed until British forces arrived on 14 Jun 44."

This citation was one of a batch which was preceded by the following text:
(1) After the Armistice with Italy, the Senior British Officer forbade escapes by P/W and posted armed British pickets to support the Italian guards. He stated that if the Germans approached the camp, P/W would be marched out and dispersed in parties of 50, while the Italians held up the Germans.

On 15 and 16 Sep 43 the Italian guards deserted and the situation in the camp became somewhat confused. A number of P/W escaped, having been told by the Senior British Officer that it was no longer a court-martial offence to get away, but a large majority remained and were captured by jumping from trains in which they were being transported to Germany by the Germans.

(2) I recommend the following other ranks for the awards shown, brief particulars being given in the enclosures stated opposite their names:-"