257950 Sgt. Philip Oland Edwin Randell MM.British Army 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery Philip Randell was captured at the Battle of Sidi Rezegh in North Africa where he had taken part in the VC winning action conducted by Second Lieutenant Gunn (and is mentioned in that citation). He was imprisoned at Campo 53 at Macerata.
When the armistice with Italy was announced British prisoners were ordered not to escape. On 15th of September 1943 the Italian guards had deserted and Randell escaped through the wire with another PW. They travelled south but were recaptured near Campo Di Giorno and were imprisoned there. On 7 October they escaped again, this time by climbing into a building used by the German guards and walking out of the front gate, whistling a popular German tune. They travelled south again and made contact with British forces after crossing the Trigno river, around 300km away from Macerata.
He was awarded the Military Medal for this action.
He survived the war and later joined the RAF Regiment, retiring as a Squadron Leader, having served in Kenya, Aden and Germany.
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