224644 Gnr. Alfred Robinson British Army Light Anti-Aircraft Royal Artillery from:Liverpool My father Alfred Robinson joined the Royal Artillery (light anti-aircraft) in Liverpool on 22nd June 1939 and began service abroad as a gunner on 16th February 1940 to 31st May 1942 where he served in Egypt until he was captured and sent to Italy to POW Camp 54 (Passo Corese/Fara in Sabina, Rome).
He escaped from Camp 54 twice, but was recaptured. The second escape lasted three months. He and some other prisoners hid in a field at the back of a little farm. The lady of the farm, Mrs Martino, brought them food whenever she could. They were eventually recaptured and sent to Germany on 10th November 1943 to a POW camp. (I am still currently trying to research which POW Camp.)
My father remained in that German POW Camp from 11th November 1943 until 21st May 1945. He escaped once when his name was mixed up with a person (who was not at that camp) who had one leg and was being sent home. My father managed to get on the train and pass as a one-legged man for half a day, until one of the German officers realised he had two legs. Sadly he was taken back to the camp.
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