POWs camp Vercelli and escape to Switzerland

Hello Marco,

Thanks for your quick response. The new Italian website will take time as we'll need to get it translated, along with the associated documents, to see it it has any relevant information.

We have already sent the request form to the ICRC. It was one of Katrina's early suggestions.

So, it seems Brin was in one of the many PG 106 sub-camps. Determining who may have also been at his camp will be a challenge. On his POW Report he states he was camp leader at both 106/3 and 106/33. He states he escaped on 10.9.43 from 106/33 Vercelli P.M. 3200.

Also on his report he states that after his escape he made for Biella. Then via Scopella, Rinasco (?), then nr. Macugnage he crossed into Switzerland to the east of Mount Rosa. (I believe this isn't in your area of interest.) It took a month from his escape to reach Switz.

He indicates at the end of his report "Out of the 50 men in this camp over 30 reached Switzerland". Finding out some of the names of the 50 and the 30 would be fantastic.

Regards

Bob

 

Hello Bob,

How are you?
Thanks for sharing these details. One of my former prisoners was surely there: TX360 Loyal Walter Whyman, whose story will be described in my book. Unfortunately I have never heard of James Jones Brinley, nor read about him in my sources, but of course I'll keep this name in mind.

Yes, you right. It seems from your description that he followed one of the main escape routes, also intensively used by Jew families, through the Valsesia. When arrived in Macugnaga, a beautiful ski resort, you only have to climb up to the Monte Moro Pass,

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passo_del_Monte_Moro

and then you will safely descend in the Swiss Saastal - of course only in the very few summer months. Such passes were still not controlled by the Germans in the first weeks after the Armistice, but then they became unavailable for the escapers, both for the hard mountain conditions in winter and for the renewed military presence on the border.
Biella is my hometown.


Marco

 

Hi Marco,

My farther-in-law's name is Brinley James Jones (VX37427). He's listed on the document from Bamboo43 attached to the 2nd post on this thread. He's also on Bill Rudd's list with a 'd' added his first name, that is: Brindley. Bill's material shows Brinley went to the UK from Switzerland, rather than retruning home as most men did.

Also, thank you for the information about the area where Brinley was likely to have crossed into Switzerland; magnificant country. Certainly challenging if the weather isn't kind.

I looked up the digital record for your TX360 Loyal Walter Whyman. My conclusion from reading his Service and Casuality records is: it shows interment at Camp 106 P.M. 3100, the same as Brinley. (From my review of the digital records I can access this entry seems appears to have been used for all of the men.) However, we have some luck with his POW statement. It shows he was at 106/3 25.4.43 - 10.9.43 (the day of their escape). Loyal Walter Whyman and Brinley would have spent at least 3 months together at this camp. You views on these conclusions please.

Regards

Bob

 

Dear Bob,

I agree with your conclusions. I paid for the release of Whyman's record and therefore they're now available - an excellent service, I used it for many former Australian POWs as well as for three aviators, during the search for my previous book concerning Vickers Wellington LN466.
I am quite sure that your father in law knew Loyal Whyman. Unfortunately, I have not been lucky enough to locate his family.

Marco

 

Hi Marco,

From Whyman's record it's easy to see that he and Brin must have spent time together at Camp 106/3, the dates they both provide overlap. Brin's POW Record states he moved to Camp 106/33 and escaped from there. While Whyman's records states he escaped from Camp 106/3.
We can see from Whyman's Service Record he died 10.09.1972. Ancestry data I can access provides little to help locate Whyman and his wife Doris. I can see them in Tasmania in the years after the war, then I see them in Darwin in the middle 1950, then nothing. This is most odd.
From Katrina I have a list of names of some who were interned at Camp 106/3; Whyman is on this list. So I have some data and targets to work through to see what I can find of the time Brin spent in Camp 106.
Thanks for your comments to date and good luck with your own research.
I shall be in touch when I get more.
Regards Bob

 

You're welcome Bob,

I clearly remind that Whyman's family lived in Waratah, Tasmania, but my efforts to contact them were, unfortunately, vane. Maybe you'll have more luck.

 

Hi ,
I was literally just looking up any information related to my uncle - George Christopher Rea and found this page.
My uncle passed away just 2 years ago ( just 11 days off of 100 )
He was 2/28 Battalion AIF. Service number WX 6366. Captured at Ruin Ridge/ Alamain.
He was a Rat of Toburk .
Started as a POW Benghazi ( Lybia ) (2-8-1942 until 16-10-42) was in camp 75 ( 20-11-1942 until 25-1-1942).
Then in camp 57 - Grappignano (26-11-42 until 25-4-43 then transferred to Italy to a camp controlled by campo 106 Vercelli. He worked on a farm called "Lachele" near Ronsecca and San Germano ( I think ) and from there escaped to Switzerland. ( I think when guards did a swap over they left gates open and this was how he escaped)

He had photos very similar to the one you had in the search of him on skis. He could possibly be in the photo you have posted !

I would love to swap any info ....

 

My uncle esc led to Switzerland on the 8/9/1943

 

Hi Possumpit,

Would be please to start a conversation on this topic. Via email will be easiest, particularly for the transfer of information. Email address at the bottom of message.

I note you uncle is quoted on Bill Rudd's site. As well Katrina Kittel (posted on this thread) has been of great help during our research. Katrina has asked to be involved in the discussions.

I look forward to your email.

Regards Bob Kerr
( ferniehurst47 (at) gmail (dot) com )

 

Hi, I believe that my father Fred W Price was in Campo 106/1 Vercelli and entered Switzerland on Sept 24 1943. I believe that he escaped and crossed into Switzerland with Sydney Shove and Merv Quartermaine. Dad was also captured at Ruin Ridge as far as I know. He was in the 2/28. I would love it if anyone could give me further info on this.

Thanks, Jenn.

 

Hi Katrina, I believe my father Fred W Price, was also in 106/1, escaped at the Armistice, crossed at the Moro Pass, and entered Switzerland on Sept 24, 1943. He travelled with mates Syd Shove and Merv Quartermaine, and were guided and hidden by locals. I would love any further info on him.

Thanks Jenn.

 

Hi - I have been researching the history of my relative - John Thomas Clark - 37158 - who escaped from Campo 106 - and hid out in the area until he was killed, along with two others, George Batt, and Douglas Smedley on the 23rd of April in 1944 by Italian fascists, is what was classified as a war crime.

In particular I am after of photo of John and wonder whether there might be one out there.

 

Hi Mike

On Ancestry there is a family tree but no photos:

John Thomas Clark
1908–1944
BIRTH ABOUT 1908 • Waitotara, South Taranaki, Taranaki, New Zealand
DEATH 24 APRIL 1944 • Italy

Fact Details
Service Number: 37158 First Name: John Thomas Surname: Clark Rank: Private Nationality of Force: New Zealand Force: Army Unit: New Zealand Infantry, 25 Battalion


TD
For reference: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/26740025/person/27125560776/facts


edited to add:
There is always the chance of a photo in his service records - link - War Service Records - Archives New Zealand. Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

 

Thanks - yes - I have those records, but alas no photo. He is in my family tree I have on ancestry as well. I am hoping someone out there has one - either from his POW days - or in his service/ training time perhaps.

 

Hi. My father, Fred Price was also at 106/1 and escaped through the Monte Moro Pass. I believe he entered Switzerland on October 26, possibly with Syd Shove and Merv Quartermaine . I am hoping to visit Northern Italy and Switzerland next year and was wondering if anyone can give me further information.
Cheers, Jenn.

 

Hi Possumspit.
My father Fred Price was also in 2/28 and captured at Ruin Ridge. According to the information I have found he was at Grupignano from27/1/43 until he was sent to106/1 (a farm near St Germano) on 10/4/43. He escaped from there crossing into Switzerland via the Monte Moro Pass on 25/10/43. I am hoping to visit northern Italy and Switzerland next year and would love any information you could give me.
Cheers, Jenn.

 

Hi Marco. I am pleased to say that we have found my father's (Fred W Price of the 2/28) war diaries and now know that he was sent from Bari to Grupignano. (Campo 57) He was there from 26/9/1942 until 10/4/1943. He was in the hut from which a tunnel was built. He was transferred to Vercelli (campo 106/1)on 10/4/43 and worked on a rice farm near Sali owned by Luigi Bondrano(?) until 19/6/43 when he was transferred to a government farm in Vercelli which provided produce for the silk factory (eg potatoes).He was there until 10/9/43 when he escaped. With others, he followed the river via Lenta, Sarravallie (where he stayed in a house where he danced, listened to the bbc and drank copious wine with 2 pretty signorinas) train to Varallo (hidden in church), Fobello, Bannio, to Monte Moro Pass. He entered Switzerland at 1.15pm on 24/9/43 and then to Almagell, Sans-Fee (?), Brig (where he registered). On 30/9/43 he was sent to Turbenthal, where they were billeted in the gymnasium. On 6/1/44 he went to Adelboden where he was billeted in a chalet opposite the Grand Hotel. On the 20/3/44 he was returned to Turbenthal until 17/5/44 when he was moved to Wald. Unfortunately the diary ends on 24/5/44 although I believe he left Switzerland in November and returned to Australia via Italy and London.

I am planning to visit Switzerland and Italy in May next year, and would really appreciate any help or information anyone could give me on how I can visit these places where my father was during the war, I am a 70 year old woman, and would like to know if it will be safe for me to travel alone on trains in northern Italy.

I would also really like any further information anyone could share with me about my father's experiences.

Thanks, Jenn.

 

So pleased to know that you've found the diaries.

Are you planning to visit both Grupingano and Vercelli? I travel around alone on Italian trains quite often and have never had any problems but when you travel from Italy to Switzerland you should avoid the overnight sleepers. Where are you planning to fly into?

Regards,

Vitellino

 

I am planning to travel by train from Paris to Turbenthal then to Spezia and bus to Aedelboden. Then take the Bernini Express to Torino and then train to Vercelli and then to Grupingano. I have cousins who have recently travelled by train in Switzerland and said that train is quite safe there but I was wondering about northern Italy. Do you know if I will be able to find and visit the places relevant to my father's experience in and around Vercelli? I have read that there is a museum of sorts at the camp at Grupingano.

Thanks.

 

There shouldn't be any problems between Switzerland and Torino provided you don't travel overnight.

I think you should contact the mayor of Vercelli who will almost certain arrange for someone to take you to see whatever is still at San Germano. I will translate the letter for you. You could consider something similar where Grupignano is concerned.

Regards,

Vitellino