Escapee from Italy

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by Skip, Jan 22, 2011.

  1. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Hello dbf or Martin14,

    Do you, or anyone else for that matter, have a MI9 report for Cyril Richardson's escape from Italy? Cant seem to find it.

    Cheers

    Skip
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Skip,
    No sorry I don't and I would imagine that Martin doesn't either. I only asked for a photo from him for my commemorative site.

    Just checking - where have you looked for report - TNA?
    ADM199 would be the one to ask about these matters; I can move query over to POW section if you want.
    Regards
    Diane


    Name:RICHARDSON, CYRIL SIDNEY MALCOLM
    Initials:C S MNationality:United Kingdom
    Rank:Guardsman
    Regiment/Service:Coldstream Guards
    Unit Text:3rd Bn.
    Age:26
    Date of Death:21/10/1943
    Service No:2657262
    Additional information:Son of William George and Kate Richardson, of Horsham, Sussex.
    Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference:Grave 82A.
    Cemetery:VEVEY (ST. MARTIN'S) CEMETERY
     
  3. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Diane - that would be great - not worked out how to do that myself yet!

    Much appreciate the reply. I have looked at WO 208/3344 which covers MI9 debriefs 201-400 and will have look at 1-200 (3343) and 401-853 (3345) but not sure if there is an easier way of doing it rather than trawling through so many files.

    All the best,

    Skip
     
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  5. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Not sure Diane. What I do know is that 'Lofty' Richardson joined the LRDG mid 1941 serving in G1 patrol and was taken prisoner by the Germans on 17/12/41. After being imprisoned at Barce he was transported to PG59 in Italy. He escaped on 11/09/43 with John 'Tam' Pratt, also of the LRDG, crossing into Switzerland on 28/09/43. He died of pneumonia a month later.

    Diane - thanks for moving this across.
     
  6. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Skip,

    You probably have this already, but attached is his entry from WO392/21 a list of Allied POW's to the Italians, August 1943. He is stated present in Camp 133, which is only designated as a 'Working Camp'?

    As Diane says, ADM 199 is your best hope for detailed info.

    Steve.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Steve - many thanks for that. Didnt know that he was in Camp 133 so it's extra information and much appreciated.
     
  8. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    133 was not a work camp itself it was an administration centre at Montelupone for 9 work details in June 1943. It was proposed to expand this to 19. Agriculture was the work.

    Major De Nicola was Italian Officer Commanding.

    Escapers Reports were made by the man himself, so if he was killed before getting back to Allied Lines there will be no Escapers Report I'm afraid.
     
  9. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Photograph of Richardson here;-

    http://www.specialforcesroh.com/gallery/file9879.jpg

    As Brian said if he died so soon after reaching safety then there will be no escape report but if he escaped with John 'Tam' Pratt try looking to see if he made one the report (if made) should mirror Richardsons attempt ..should`nt it?...or have I missed something?


    Jim
     
  10. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Thanks once again ADM199 - the extra detail about 133 is invaluable as the net only lists it as being at Novara. Richardson made it into Switzerland but I wasnt sure if he would have filled out a report on arrival rather than have to wait until he reached the UK. As it sounds that he probably didnt I guess that finding the report of John 'Tam' Pratt, LRDG, might be the way ahead in case he describes Richardson's escape. Is there any way I can narrow the search for this rather than trawl through all of the 3343-45 files at TNA?
     
  11. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Thanks Verrieres - we must have been thinking the very same thing at the same time!
     
  12. martin14

    martin14 Senior Member

    As was previously mentioned, I have only a picture of his final resting place,

    but it seems other members of this forum are doing their usual wonderful job

    of pitching in and helping out. :)
     
  13. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Yes - can second that; been very impressed by this forum. Thanks very much for al the responses.

    Just found a very useful website listing MI9 reports in their respective WO 208 files:

    Index to TNA WO208 - Escape and Evasion Reports
     
  14. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    Always be careful of using what you find on the internet. Go to original sources to check the accuracy. That's where what I have posted comes from.

    Escapers into Switzerland were debriefed after they reached their internment Camp.
    The report will say date arrived in Switzerland but this is not accurate as it is the date interrogated.

    T/229219 Dvr Tom Pratt is much easier:- WO 208/4266 is the File you need.
    The Reports are in Alpha so will be easy to find.


    Thanks once again ADM199 - the extra detail about 133 is invaluable as the net only lists it as being at Novara. Richardson made it into Switzerland but I wasnt sure if he would have filled out a report on arrival rather than have to wait until he reached the UK. As it sounds that he probably didnt I guess that finding the report of John 'Tam' Pratt, LRDG, might be the way ahead in case he describes Richardson's escape. Is there any way I can narrow the search for this rather than trawl through all of the 3343-45 files at TNA?
     
  15. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    The index only tells you what the Research Guide and Catalogue on TNA Website show you.
    Why someone has bothered to duplicate the information is surprising.

    It seems to have sent you to the wrong group of Files. The Forum is the place to ask for this kind of information.

    Brian

    Yes - can second that; been very impressed by this forum. Thanks very much for al the responses.

    Just found a very useful website listing MI9 reports in their respective WO 208 files:

    Index to TNA WO208 - Escape and Evasion Reports
     
    dbf likes this.
  16. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Skip,

    Simply for interests sake!:)

    Here are the entries for the name Pratt. There is one J. Pratt from the Scot's Guards, might be a candidate?
     

    Attached Files:

  17. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Brian and Steve - many thanks for the replies and the very useful info. I am back at the TNA, touch wood, on Monday and will follow up those files. Thanks Brian for locatimng Pratt. Steve - I will try and copy all of WO 392/21 so that you dont keep having to come to my rescue!

    All the best,

    Skip
     
  18. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Skip,

    It's no problem for me, if you want the small amount of detail from these files in regard to any other POW, then just ask.

    Good luck on monday.

    Steve.
     
  19. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    Not a problem Skip, I have every list in WO 392 from 1 to 26.

    Copied them myself in black and white.
    Also have the three Published Volumes.

    Brian
     
  20. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Cheers Steve,

    Others that I am looking for are:

    Alexander Westwater 1 SAS [876932] later KIA with 26FRA

    Sgt Robinson 2 SAS

    Sgt Stoke 2 SAS

    Pte Leonard William Curtis [6025725] Essex Regt + 2 SAS. Arrived Canadian lines in Italy 30/10/43 with Sgt Robinson, Sgt Stoke having been left at a farm to recover. Curtis later killed when his aircraft crashed in France during Operation Rupert

    Sorry for lack of numbers of Stokes and Robinson but not known.

    All the best

    Skip
     

Share This Page