The Second World War escaper’s D.C.M. group of four awarded to Fusilier J. Purvis, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers: having been taken P.O.W. back in June 1940, he made it to Switzerland on his third escape attempt in April 1943, but the arrangements for his subsequent journey through France to the Spanish border broke down and he was compelled to join the Maquis - and ‘took part in four battles against the Germans in the area of South-West Toulouse’ before finally reaching the advancing Allies in September 1944

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (4270748 Fsr. J. Purvis, R. North’d. Fus); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (4270748 Fus. J. Purvis, N.F.), together with his father’s Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (211364 Spr. J. Purvis, R.E.), good very fine or better (5) £3000-3500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Penhall Collection.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 26 July 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Following his capture at St. Valery-en-Caux on 12 June 1940, Purvis was transferred to Germany, where he was imprisoned at Stalag XXC, Stalag IXC and subsidiary working camps. When employed in the salt mines at Volkerode during September 1941, he made his first attempt to escape; with one companion he emerged from the mine-shaft, collected their hidden store of food from the baths, climbed through the window and over the fence. Although after three days’ freedom his companion was compelled through illness to give himself up, Purvis continued alone towards Switzerland. On the tenth day of his solitary journey, he was discovered by a hunting party and handed over to the authorities.

Transferred to Merkers in December 1942, he participated in a mass break-out but was re-captured within 48 hours. At the beginning of February 1943, Purvis planned an escape with another prisoner employed nearby. On 29 April 1943 the details were complete, and, whilst two other prisoners attracted the guard’s attention, Purvis climbed the 12ft. fence. In anticipation of being joined by his companion, he remained in the locality for three days, but on 2 May he hid in a waggon and covered himself with salt. Half an hour later the truck was sealed. After travelling thus no less than five days Purvis heard both French and German spoken, and getting out he discovered that he had reached Switzerland.

For fourteen months he remained there before he was evacuated to France. When the arrangements for the remainder of his journey broke down, he was compelled to join the Maquis. Before reporting to a British officer at Decize on 30 September 1944, he took part in four battles against the Germans in the area South-West of Toulouse. This solo escape into Switzerland by a private soldier was a first-class performance.’

Joseph “Joe” Purvis was born in September 1912 and joined the Territorial Army at Ashington, Northumberland, in April 1936. On returning to the U.K. after the above related adventures, he was transferred to the Army Reserve in November 1945.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including:

(i) The recipient’s Soldier’s Service and Pay Book, the latter section with last payment dated ‘in the Field’ on 30 May 1940, and, interestingly, the names and addresses of several French civilians inscribed at the back.

(ii) Four wartime photographs of British personnel at Stalag IXC.

(iii) The recipient’s forged “Carte D’Identite”, dated at Lyon on 10 September 1943, with portrait photograph; and a travel permit in the name of ‘Georges Mercier’ dated 17 September 1943; together with his Swiss refugees’ pass, with portrait photograph, dated at Berne, 7 September 1943, a carbon copy letter of warning from the British Military Attache at Berne about not revealing details of his escape in letters home, and a congratulatory letter from the same officer on his escape, dated 17 May 1943.

(iv) The recipient’s Certificate of Transfer to the Army Reserve, dated 10 November 1945, and his National Registration Identity Card, dated 15 May 1950; together with a letter and photograph appertaining to H.M. The Queen Mother’s visit to Ashington on 6 April 1979, when Purvis was among a group of ‘special local residents’ to be presented to her.

Provenance: Sotheby’s, 28 November 1985 (Lot 785).