Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gunner

Unit:

65 Anti Tank Regiment, Royal Arillery

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1944

Citation:
"Bell was captured at GAZALA on 1 Jun 42, and at the time of the Italian Armistice was imprisoned at MONTURANO (Camp 70).
Forbidden by the Senior British Officer to escape, all the P/W were taken over by the Germans and entrained for GERMANY. Prior to transfer BELL participated in two escape attempts only to have his plans betrayed. When he was boarding the train, BELL succeeded in concealing two pieces of steel; with these he made a hole in the side of the truck, and as the train was slowing down at BOLOGNA, jumped into some bushes. Arriving at RIMINI on his was south, he met an Italian youth who escorted him throughout the remainder of his travels. A few days were spent with the rebels near SPOLETO before he set out with two companions to make two attempts to cross the lines. For eight months he made his headquarters at VENERE and an officer who also stayed in this village has commented on BELL's excellent morale.
Allied troops arrived on 7 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:-"