Escape and return to duty Roy Farran

major-general john charles jock campbell on being presented victoria cross commander-in-chief general sir claude auchinleck. campbell newly promoted commander of 7th armoured division, , killed in staff car driven roy farran.

after being captured, flown hospital prisoners of war in athens treatment, , august able walk aid of crutches. made several unsuccessful attempts escape, , succeeded when sentry became distracted; farran able crawl under wire , make way unseen nearby ditch. moved between series of houses, able link number of friendly greek civilians , 3 other escaped australian , british prisoners, , lent money hire caïque sail port of piraeus british-held egypt. group hoped make in 4 days, storm pushed boat off course. boat ran out of fuel after 2 days, , farran created ad hoc sail blankets; water supplies ran out shortly after, , farran forced knock out 1 man became agitated result. fortunately 1 of prisoners, sergeant wright, able make crude water distiller produced enough drinkable water party survive. after 10 days adrift, boat spotted royal navy destroyer 40 miles (64 km) off coast of alexandria. farran awarded bar military cross result of leading greeks , prisoners freedom.

in january 1942, farran appointed aide-de-camp major general john jock campbell, newly promoted commander of 7th armoured division , recipient of victoria cross (for actions in november 1941).

on 26 february 1942, driving campbell in staff car during inspection of forward fighting area around gazala when lost control of car on road of freshly laid clay. car overturned, throwing farran out killing campbell in process , knocking other occupants unconscious; later admitted that, during time awaited rescue, had contemplated committing suicide. when new divisional commander appointed, farran remained divisional staff.