234809 Drvr. Ernest Argent British Army Rifle Brigade from:Ilford, Essex Ernie Argent was the driver of a Bren Gun Carrier and was injured in North Africa. He was in an ambulance which was stopped by a German patrol and they were captured. The German doctor treated his damaged hand and he was taken to the coast and put on a hospital ship bound for Italy.
The ship was torpedoed by a British submarine. As the ship listed the NCO tried to get the men to line up on deck, but Ernie and friends climbed over the railings and walked down the side and found some wreckage. He spent two nights clinging on until he was rescued by an Italian destroyer. He was taken to Campo 65 before being transported to Campo 63.
When the Italian Army withdrew from the conflict, the guards left the camp gates open and Ernie and his friend Mac walked out into the fields. They spent about 10 months working on a farm helping with the harvest and were hidden from the German patrols. When the Allies advanced into Italy, Ernie and Mac walked back to the lines and were in Naples for debriefing and new uniforms. They had not had boots for a long time and when he was in the showers a whole sole of hard skin fell off his foot! Back in England he was transferred to the RASC and was based at York.
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