Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Second World War escaper’s M.M. group of seven awarded to Corporal J. Lane, Royal Signals, attached 2nd Armoured Division, who made a successful bid for freedom from Campo 78 at Sulmona in 1943

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2319057 Cpl. J. Lane, R. Signals); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (2319057 Sgln., R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, the second with minor edge bruising, otherwise good very fine or better (7) £1600-1800

M.M. London Gazette 15 June 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘Captured near Fort Mechili [in North Africa], Corporal Lane was sent to Campo 78 at Sulmona. An escape from this camp was organised by the Senior British Officer after the Armistice. Corporal Lane was recaptured by the Germans two days later. After six days he was taken to the station and put on a train for Germany. Railway officials, however, arranged for the train to slow down at a certain point, and Lane, and four others, jumped off. They crossed the mountains with guides and met up with our forces on 13 November 1943.’