Orders, Decorations and Medals

An exceptional and rare “L” Detachment S.A.S. escaper’s M.M. group of eight awarded to Private J. E. ‘Lofty’ Bowman, Royal Army Service Corps, who, prior to his escape, identified the notorious stool-pigeon named Schurch, who was subsequently convicted and executed for his treachery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (64096 Pte., R.A.S.C.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (64096 Dvr., R.A.S.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France & Germany Star; Defence & War Medals, mounted as worn, together with his Regular Army Certificate of Service; seven original wartime photographs and one of him in civilian dress wearing his medals; two Military Airgraphs sent in January and October 1942, one giving his address as ‘“L” Det., 1st S.A.S. Regt’, the other as ‘“B” Squadron, 1st S.A.S. Regt’; Cable & Wireless Telegram to his girlfriend, dated 20 Oct. 1942, giving his address as ‘L Det 1 SAS Regt CTC MEF’; two POW post cards; two post cards and one letter from listeners of the Vatican Broadcast to his family advising that Parachutist Bowman is P.O.W. in Italy; Army Form B. 104-83A advising transfer of Bowman to another P.O.W. Camp in Italy; two Post Office Telegrams, one advising that he is in Allied hands (June 1944), the other concerning his arrival at Glasgow (July 1944); forwarding letter for Palestine medal; named Buckingham Palace letter for M.M., and an immediate post-war old commrades S.A.S. blazer badge, generally very fine or better and an exceptional group to an original member of the S.A.S. (8) £3000-4000

See Colour Plate V

M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.’

The recommendation for Bowman’s award appears under the heading: ‘Escapes from Camp 70 (Monturano), Italy. Recommendations for Awards. (1) After the Armistice with Italy, the Senior British Officer forbade escapes by P/W and posted armed British pickets to support the Italian guards. He stated that if the Germans approached the camp, P/W would be marched out and dispersed in parties of 50, while the Italians held up the Germans. On 15 and 16 Sep 43 the Italian guards deserted and the situation in the camp became somewhat confused. A number of P/W escaped, having been told by the S.B.O. that it was no longer a court-martial offence to get away, but a large majority remained and were captured by the Germans when they arrived. A number of P/W escaped by jumping from the trains in which they were being transported to Germany by the Germans.

(2) I recommend the following other ranks for the awards shown, brief particulars being given in the enclosure stated opposite their names:- (a) Recommended for M.M. - 3 names including 64086 Pct. Bowman, John Elliott, “B” Sqn., 1 S.A.S. Regt.’

Unfortunately the enclosure mentioned above no longer exists in respect of Parachutist Bowman. However, information of even greater significance was unearthed from previously secret files held at the Public Record Office in the way of a statement given by Bowman to an M.I.9. intelligence officer after his return to England:

‘Statement by 63096 Pct. Bowman, John Elliott, B Sqn., 1 S.A.S. Regt.
Pct. Bowman saith:-

I was captured at GUSSABAT Nr. Tripoli on 21 December 1942. I was removed to TARHUNA camp next day, where I was locked alone in a cell. I was at the time unwashed and bearded.

An individual then entered my cell dressed as a British Captain. I at once recognised this man as Driver Schurch whom I had known at SARAFAND, Palestine in 1937. His nickname was “Issy” and his unit, which was also mine, was 14 Coy, R.A.S.C. The first two figures of his regimental number were “61”. Since I was bearded Schurch did not recognise me. He proceeded to ask questions of a military nature. I then asked him to identify himself, whereat he replied “I am a captain in the “Long Range Desert Group”. I then asked him how he had been employed, to which he replied that he had been dropped by parachute near HOMS, with a Trans Jordan Arab and a Wireless transmitter set. Schurch then asked me whether I knew Captain MALONEY. Maloney was an officer in my regiment (1 S.A.S.), and I knew he was at that time employed on a special mission. I did not know whether he had been captured or not. I then remarked to Schurch “How are you going on Issy”? He recognised me at this moment and called in the Italian sentry and asked to be taken to the lavatory. I went with him. On return to the cell I was in front of him. On being in the cell about two minutes, the Italian sentry opened the door and told Schurch that he must come and sign some papers. He left at once. After a few minutes he returned, and I satisfied myself by questioning that he had never been a parachutist. The Italian sentry returned soon after and said “Captain Schurch, we have found out you are a British Secret Service agent and you have to be flown to Italy tonight.” He left at once, saying to me “If we meet in Italy, I’ll get you a job as my batman.” He was well furnished with an Italian brand of cigarettes, which I came to know later were of the highest quality. When he had asked me if I knew Captain Maloney he said he asked because he had to contact him.’

Theodore John William Schurch was convicted on nine charges under Section 1 of the Treachery Act 1940, sentenced to death, and executed on 4th January, 1946.

The following details are taken from an accompanying obituary notice: ‘Members of the Farnsfield branch of the Royal British Legion formed a guard of honour at St Paulinus Church, New Ollerton, for the funeral service of Eighth Army and Special Air Services veteran Mr John Elliott Bowman (67), of 26 Yew Tree Road, New Ollerton, who died at his home recently. Mr Bowman was born in Northumberland and educated at Smith’s College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He lived in the Ollerton area for 31 years, where he worked as a foreman for Fletchers Civil Engineers at Boughton before retiring in 1959 due to injuries sustained in a motor cycle accident. Joining the Army in 1937, Mr Bowman served with the 8th Army and later the SAS in Palestine, Italy, France and Germany, and was awarded the Military Medal before his discharge in 1946.’ Sold with further details including photocopies of three illustrations taken from This is the S.A.S. by Tony Geraghty in which Bowman has been identified by his son.