Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance-Sergeant

Unit:

2nd Battalion Camerons, 4 Indian Division

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1944

COCKBURN and TOWERS were captured in N.AFRICA during Jun 42, and at the time of the Italian Armistice were imprisioned in Camp 70 (MONTURANO).
After the Germans had taken over the camp several P/W, including COCKBURN and TOWERS, began to dig a tunnel. Although unable to complete it, six P/W under cover of a fatigue party concealed themselves in the tunnel, and their companions camouflaged the entrance. The next day they emerged to find all the P/W had been removed and no sentries posted. Outside the camp they split into three parties; COCKBURN and TOWERS went to RAPUGNO, were they stayed until Apr 44. During this period they made several attempts to reach Allied hands. In Apr 44, having made their own way to PENNE, they joined a party, but this was scattered by a German patrol on the MAIELLA and both COCKBURN and TOWERS were taken prisoner. Whilst the R.A.F. were strafing the road at PENNE S. ANDREA, Towers broke away and three days later met British troops at CASTELLEONE. During another R.A.F. attack Cockburn escaped from GIULLANOVA, and reached Allied lines at GUARDIA VOMANO on 15 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:-"