POW and Escapee Lt The Earl Of Cardigan RASC

Discussion in 'Sub-forum: The build-Up - 1933-1940' started by researchingreg, Jan 29, 2022.

  1. researchingreg

    researchingreg Well-Known Member

    Lt Chandos Sydney Cedric Brudenell-Bruce The Earl Of Cardigan RASC was at Dunkirk and served in 6th MAC RASC along with my Father In Law 2nd Lt Edward Lynch, they were both in charge of Ambulance Convoys ferrying wounded from 10 CCS Crombeke to Dunkirk, Edward Lynch came back to England on a Hospital Ship on 26 May 1940, However the Earl of Cardigan was captured at 10 CCS Crombeke by a German Armoured Car Crew on 29 May 1940..

    The Germans kept him and other members of 6th Mac captured with him in the region of France and Belgium, probably to help with wounded, however on 20 June 1940 the Germans decided to send him to Germany in a Lorry with other prisoners from Lille with just one driver and one armed guard. The Earl decided to escape he managed to jump off the back of the lorry and hide in under growth for 6 hours until it was dark. He managed to find a cafe and got help from a Belgian resistance man. He then spent 25 days travelling by foot to unoccupied France near Chalon sur Saone and got a train to Lyons where he managed to get money from the American Consul and headed to Marseille by train. He was asked for his ticket by train inspectors, but passed himself off as an American and got away with it. He went to the American Consul in Marseilles and stayed in a Hotel with their help whereas other escaped prisoners were held in a fort.

    He bought himself a bicycle in Marseilles and cycled to Spain. 2 months after his escape he was arrested and taken to a gaol in Figueres in Spain, where he was contacted by the British Consul. He had food but was badly treated by the Spanish. A Major Hubbard from the British Embassy Madrid, managed to get the Earl and 30 other rank prisoners by train to Madrid. He then went by train to San Roque and then went by car to Gibraltar and was repatriated to England by 27 October 1940
     
  2. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    With no prior knowledge, I bought a copy of his story of his escape, I Walked Alone, at a library book sale. A good read!
     
    bear.cub likes this.
  3. Slade

    Slade Member

    You may also be interested in a book I have just written 'From a Hard Place to a Rock', published by Troubador June 2022, about his time in Gibraltar. My father Capt Chris Waters RE was captured at St-Valéry and escaped from a line of march. With a fellow officer he made his way through France and over the Pyrenees, only to be captured by the Spanish and held by the authorities until the British Consul arranged their release along with many others, including Cardigan. The book covers the story of Dad's escape using a journal that the two men wrote whilst held by the Spanish, that of his cousin who was shot and captured at Robecq and other servicemen they met during their escape, detailing where and how they all met up. Sadly a Vichy bombing raid on Gibraltar, which Cardigan briefly alludes to, prevented some of their party completing a home run.
    From A Hard Place To A Rock - Troubador Book Publishing
     
    bear.cub likes this.
  4. bear.cub

    bear.cub Active Member

    Very interesting, can I ask if the route over the Pyrenees has been retraced?
     
  5. Slade

    Slade Member

    In 1969 my parents retraced the road route dad and Dennis Lennon, his fellow escapee had taken through France and Spain. However towing a caravan meant they had to cross into Spain by road. As far as I know none of the routes over the Pyrenees taken by escapees included in From a Hard Place to a Rock have been retraced. It would be fun/arduous to attempt but difficult to follow given the scant information that has been handed down.
     
    dbf and Chris C like this.
  6. bear.cub

    bear.cub Active Member

    Over the last few years I’ve spent a bit of time retracing and walking escape/evasion routes in the Pyrenees. 2023 hopefully will result in validating about 4-6 routes on the Mediterranean side. The principle Comete routes have been retraced by an organisation. I have a copy of your book on the way and I’ll see if I have any of the MI9 reports to try to piece together a route if you wish?

    The Earl of Cardigan’s book give some very good clues as to where he crossed.
     
    dbf likes this.
  7. Slade

    Slade Member

    That would be very interesting, thank you. Start and end points are given, but as they all crossed on dark nights there are few other clues. However the experience you have already gained could help you to fill in a few gaps. The escapees I have written about were among the earliest to cross the Pyrenees before any organised routes had been established. With three different routes taken it may be their feedback could have been of help when planning later routes. Interestingly two of the men had spent a day or two at Bélabre with Ian Garrow, Fitch and Sillar, all making their escape on the same day.

    I hope you enjoy reading my book and find some new and useful information. Cardigan's book is excellent and I too found it a fascinating read. For obvious reasons a copy has been held by the family for many years. Have you also checked out the website www.conscript-heroes.com?
     
    dbf likes this.
  8. bear.cub

    bear.cub Active Member

    The book has just arrived, after a 10min scan, may I say congratulations, lovely book! Wonderful detail! I’ll drop a private message.
     
  9. Slade

    Slade Member

    Thank you. I have read your messages in the wrong order - sorry. I hope you enjoy your read and look forward to continuing this conversation.
     
    bear.cub likes this.
  10. bear.cub

    bear.cub Active Member

    I’m off to the Pyrenees quite soon to do some research.
     
    Chris C likes this.
  11. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Good luck! Has your research to this point been fruitful?
     

Share This Page