Captain Christopher Gerald Lea

Unit : Lancashire Fusiliers, attached to X Troop, 11th Special Air Service Battalion

Army No. : 73126

Awards : Military Cross

Captain Lea was captured near Calitri, Italy, on 12 February 1941. In December of the same year he and another officer made an attempt to leave Sulmona disguised as electricians. They had climbed over the inside wall and had entered the Italian section of the camp when a sentry became suspicious and fired, hitting Captain Lea in the leg. His companion, however, reached Como before he was arrested.

Throughout his captivity Captain Lea participated in numerous tunnel schemes, none of which were successful. He also communicated secretly with the War Office.

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