Single to Rome

Flight Lieutenant in RAF, Eric (known as Garry) Garrad-Cole MC (1917–2003) was shot down in a Blenheim in North Africa in July 1940. Taken to PG 78 Sulmona from which he escaped in January 1941 with two others. Recaptured. December 1941 moved to PG 27 San Romano (where met A. Deane-Drummond, see 'Return Ticket'), then to PG 35 Padula (where was involved in an escape attempt with George Millar, see 'Horned Pigeon') and finally PG 29 Veano. Escaped from there at the Armistice just before Germans arrived. Teamed up with Captain Bransom-Richards and walked south. Recaptured (but 'Branny' escaped and subsequently blown up in minefield), but with Major Hugh Fane-Hervey jumped near Orte from train taking him from Frosinone to Germany. In December reached Rome. Sheltered there by O'Flaherty's organisation until liberation. See also Sam Derry, 'The Rome Escape Line', John Furman, ‘Be not Fearful’ and William C. Simpson, ‘A Vatican Lifeline’. Garrad-Cole mentions his role in sealing the exit route of the escapers from PG 35 in Sept 1942 recounted in the 2019 edition of Medd and Simms, ‘The Long Walk Home’.