Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, 10th Indian Infantry Division, Indian Army

Awarded on:

March 1st, 1945

At the time of the Italian Armistice BASSETT was omprisoned at MACERATA (Camp 53).
On 11 Sep 43 he left with about 60 other P/W, bribing the guard to allow them to pass. After spending four months at MASSA FERMANA he joined a band of patriots, and on 26 Apr 44 was put in chrage of a small section, which under his leadership did good work against the enemy. On 16 May 44 he led an expedition to SERVIGLIANO, and after releasing 350 civilian internees, was responsible for feeding 122 of them for the following six weeks. When Allied forces arrived on 24 Jun 44 he was able to hand over captured German equipment and food.
The following extracts from the reports of two other escaped P/W in Italy testify to the good work done by BASSETT:-
"Truthfully speaking I have great respect for Sgt. BASSETT for his great display of courage and leadership which inspired great confidence in the Band.
"The English Sgt. Allen BASSETT has been known to do some good work for the Patriots, also gave ex-prisoners money. He was in Camp 53 before the Armistice."