Beschreibung:

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 Footnote 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