Award MiD Cpl. J. Munro, 2nd Bn Seaforths (Escaper & Evader, France 1940)

Award: Mention in Despatches

Account of Escape of
Cpl. J. MUNRO, 2nd Bn Seaforths, 51st Division​

Captured: 13th June 1940
Escaped: 21st June 1940
Left Lisbon on 16th August 1940
Arrived at Liverpool on 3rd September 1940
Private Address: Bermoor, Dunoch, Argyll
Length of Service: 9 years as a Regular
Previously employed in Forestry Commission

PRIOR TO CAPTURE

At about 3.20pm on 12th June 1940, my Company was South of ST. VALERY and was completely surrounded by German tanks. One German tank, showing a white flag, approached close to us and demanded our surrender which on our refusing to do withdrew again. The tanks then resumed their assault on us.

We made our way back under fire to the sea but as this was bounded by a high cliff we could not get away. Some of us were rounded up by the Germans but fifteen of us made off into some high clover and spent the night hidden in it.

CAPTURE

During the night we made our way down to the beach and into a cave where we slept but were woken up in the morning by Germans and taken prisoner (13th June). At a small village immediately South of ST. VALERY we were put into a lorry and taken to a large farm about three miles away. Here we rejoined some of the rest of our Company who had been taken prisoner on the previous day.

Other prisoners identified were:-
Sgt. Ruddick, A Company (Wounded slightly in face)
Cpl. McNeill, No. 4 Platoon
Pte. MacDonald, No. 4 Platoon
Pte. Speight, No. 4 Platoon
Pte. Brown, No. 4 Platoon
Sgt. Major. of A Company
RSM of 4th Bn Seaforths
Pte. Fraser, No. 4 Platoon

No food was provided but some of us volunteered and were allowed to return to ST. VALERY, under escort, to bring up supplies from our own ration wagons. These rations arrived at about 9am. Our examination was cursory and we were only made to give up ammunition.

At about 10.30am we started marching. One of us who could speak German was told that we were making for Germany and that no one would be shot. When we left the far, we were about 200 but during the day the column grew to over 3,000 British besides twice that number of French.

We carried on without a halt or food until 6pm. Our general direction was East but as we were taken by side roads, it was hard to make out where we were going. We were lodged in a n open field where our Tank Corps warders handed us over to the Infantry. We were given German rations consisting of salted fish and their grey bread. A pump outside the field served to supply a certain amount of water but unfortunately gave out before everybody had had a drink.

At 8am on 14th June, the greater part of my Battalion, together with some French prisoners were marched away. I was left behind and this was the last I saw of my Battalion. We were marched off at 9.30am. During the day we were given and half from 12-12.30 received no food and continued our march until 5pm. No straggling was allowed and the whole column had to march in close order in threes.

Our march continued in this way until 20th June and on one of these days we passed through ABBEVILLE and by a hospital there I recognised Colonel Barclay, C.O. of the Battalion (he was slightly wounded in the face) and Major Fraser, Commanding A Company. I had no opportunity of speaking to them as the column was pushed on without a halt.

During our march, those of us who fell out with bad blistered feat were brought up by the Germans in lorries and taken on ahead to that night’s destination. Our rations were varied slightly with a very weak soup and occasionally a small bit of boiled meat.

ESCAPE

On the morning of the 21st June we started off as usual. The night before Pte. Sutcliff, of A Company, Pte. Perry, of M/T, and I had discussed escaping but we were too well guarded at hat time to make the attempt.

About two hours after marching off we were halted and where I stood, with Ptes. Sutcliff and Perry, there was a high hedge which seemed to me a good spot to get out of the column. I told them they could follow me but they did not do so. As soon as I got through the hedge, I lay down and waited for the column to pass.

A little while later, some inhabitants of a nearby village were passing by and I called out to them. They realised that I was an escaping British soldier and gave me to understand that they would fetch me some civilian clothes and food while I waited there. They did this and advised me not to move until nightfall. I had about 300 frs. and some cigarettes on me.

I started off at about 9pm but did not get very far as I was challenged by a German sentry who, fortunately, did not catch me. This decided me not to go any further that night as there was obviously a curfew.

My direction for the next two fays was towards ABBEVILLE and on the 24th June I came up to an aerodrome which appeared to be deserted but had four fighter planes in a canvas hanger. I found a cold chisel and hammer and did considerable damage to the engines. I also punctured all the petrol tanks.

On the 25th June, still some distance from ABBEVILLE, I met four other escapers (Pte. Duckett, Pte. Wakeling and two others, all of the R.A.S.C.). That night we stopped in a deserted house and were supplied with food by the villagers. We stayed there for two days.

On the 27th June, having decided that five was too large a party to go together, two of the party set out on foot and Duckett, Wakeling and I, who had found bicycles, rode off heading for the Coast. That night we rode through ABBEVILLE and across a wooden bridge recently erected by the Germans. We passed a sentry on the bridge but he took no notice of us.

By about the 29th June we reached the Coast just South of ST. VALERY where were told that there were no boats available and were advised o try further South. We took the main road and after several days cycling, reached BORDEAUX, travelling by day and stopping in farms at night where we invariably received food.

Here we stayed for two days in an unfinished house with some Belgian refugees. We found the American Consul who gave us 50 frs. and sent us on to an American Clergyman who gave us another 100 frs. We bought some identity cards in a Stationer’s shop and Wakeling, who was a carpenter by trade, made a rubber stamp. One of the refugees filled in the cards for us (On my own card, I was put down as deaf and dumb).

From BORDEAUX we made eastwards to LA REOLE and just before reaching this village, passed the frontier into occupied France. At LA REOLE we went to a French Air Force Depot where we were given food and then …over to the French Military Authorities. These people took us to a…Hospital Camp in a farmhouse. Here we fond a Private of the R.A.O.C.(?)…had been wounded but was then recovering. The next day this R.A.O.C. Private, Duckett and Wakeling were helped out by a French Air Force officer but I remained behind as I had been wearing gum boots and my feet were in a bad way.

I stayed in this hospital camp for the next ten days. During my stay an English-speaking Frenchman came in and gave me 100 frs. to pay for my train fare to PERPIGNAN. I left the Hospital Camp unmolested, made for the railway station, bought my ticket and boarded the train. The journey took 4-5 hours and I reached PERPIGNAN late that night. While on this journey, I studied the map in the compartment and took note of the route to Spain.

From PERPIGNAN, I walked to CERBERE which is on the frontier. During the course of my walk, I met an Englishman who refused to give me his name but handed me a 1,000 fr. note. While passing through PORT VENDRES, I met Major J.R. Johnson, of 1st Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers and Captain H.B. Trythall, Royal Artillery, who were interned in a camp there and at that time were on fifteen days parole.

I reached the Spanish frontier and managed to get across. From Spain I went to Portugal and embarked in LISBON on 16th August, on the SS ALCA which brought me to LIVERPOOL on 3rd September.

Interviewed by M.I.9. on 4th September 1940.

WO 373/60/314

WO 423/663974