Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Warrent Officer 2nd Class

Unit:

Light Aid Detachment, att. 25 Field Regiment, 7 Brigade, 4 Indian Division

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1944

Citation:
"Captured during the defence of TOBRUK, SEWELL was sent via BENGHAZI to MONTURANO (Camp 70).
Obeying the orders of the Senior British Officer, SEWELL did not try to escape after the Armistice until the Germans occupied MONTURANO Camp. When entrained for GERMANY, he succeeded in concealing a small saw and with this he cut a hole in the floor of the truck, enabling at least five P/W to escape. At first he had three companions, but later SEWELL travelled alone until he joined a rebel band at MATELICA. Soon afterwards, acting on instructions received, he proceeded to the FARINDOLA district, but unable to trace the route farther, he stayed in the mountains with three officer for three months.
After journeying to PEDASO to participate in an evacuation scheme he returned to the FARINDOLA area, ebing apprehended by Fascist Police on 5 Apr 44. Although he and another P/W were chained to each other, they managed to free themselves and escape through a window, braving the fire of their guards. On 14 Jun 44 SEWELL met British troops at PENNE."

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:-"