Award MiD Sgmn. Cyril Hugh HEATON, 1 King's Dragoon Guards (Escape & Evasion, Italy)

ESCAPES FROM CAMP 53 (MACERATA), ITALY​

(1) After the Armistice with Italy, P/W in this camp were ordered by the Italian Commandant and the Senior British Officer to remain. The guard was doubled and sentries told to shoot at any P/W trying to escape.

On 14th September 1943 all Italian guards vanished and conditions became confused. Some P/W escaped with Red Cross parcels which the Senior British Officer had issued, but a cordon of British guards was posted round the camp and most of the P/W remained.

On 16th September 1943 the Germans arrived and took over the cam and about six-sevenths of the original number of PW. Some P/W escaped from trains in transit to Germany.

Award Mentioned in Despatches Sgmn. Cyril Hugh Heaton, 7 Armoured Division Signals attached 1 King's Dragoon Guards (2581777)

WO 373/63/236


Liverpool Echo 12th July 1944

Liverpool Echo 28th August 1944

 

Very interesting indeed. ''On 17th June 1944, whilst accompanying his captors on their northward retreat, he escaped from the column near LATERINA. ''

This doesn't tell the full story. 17th June was the date of the Death March from Laterina to the railway station where the prisoners were to be entrained fpr Germany.

Hence, I assume that Sgmn. Heaton had been recaptured near Aquila and sent from there to Laterina PG 82, which had been operating as a Dulag (transit camp )since February 1944. He was one of the fortunate few who managed to escape form the march without being shot. I will add him to my website.

Vitellino

 

Hi, I've just been looking through my files for this chap Heaton.

In the 1KDG diaries covering 1th-6th of June '42, the notes for 'A' Squadron & Echelon have bits going on around Hacheim on various days, but sadly no captures mentioned. Interestingly though for the 6th, they say how gunfire was heard, and that the enemy attacked Hacheim unsuccessfully...

Unfortunately the overall Regimental diary for May and early June was lost due to enemy action, so I can't check through that for him.

Sounds like he had a real adventure though - thanks for posting this.

Cheers
James