Dvr. A.J.M. Ballard, 1 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers (Escaper & Evader)

1876432 Dvr. A.J.M. Ballard, 1 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers missing 20th June 1942 Tobruk taken prisoner

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Evesham Standard & West Midland Observer 21st October 1944

POW - Escape via Switzerland WO 208/4368

 

An interesting story.

Driver Ballard was registered as having been held in PG 53 Macerata before being sent north.

He worked in the rice fields, so his work camp was either attached to Vercelli (PG106) or Mortara (PG 146) from where a considerable number of prisoners managed to cross into Switzerland in the months following the Armistice.

It is also interesting to note that he was helped by 'an Organisation' and that he had to avoid the 'false organisations'. The only organisation of any importance or standing was that headed up by Giuseppe Bacciagaluppi, but there is no record of him being helped by them. (All those helped compiled a slip or 'formulario' which had to be handed into the guide shortly before crossing the border).

Researcher the late Brian Sims discovered that he had crossed into Switzerland on 28 November 1943. Here is a transcript of what is on findmypast:

1876432 Driver A J H Ballard Royal Engineers
POW - Escape via Switzerland – report WO 208/4368
Date of capture 21-06-1942
Interviewed in Switzerland 28-11-1943

This report has to be ordered from TNA and cannot be downloaded.

Regards,

Vitellino

 

I've found out quite a lot more about the group he crossed into Switerland with. Will post it later.
EDITED
Nineteen people were interviewed in Switzerland on 28 November.

Ten are known to have crossed with the help of Bacciagaluppi's organisation. (Evidence Bacciagaluppi's list and the WO 208 Switzerland series) The others probably made their own way in smaller groups.

Stanley Boyd, who passed into the Canton Ticino with the help of the organisation, had been in PG 53 like Ballard before being sent north to PG 146/24 S.Angelo in Lomellina.