SAFE IN ENGLAND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 119, 22 May 1945, Page 2

SAFE IN ENGLAND

PROMINENT RUGBY PLAYER

Advice has been received that Sergeant D. Flett, a former well-known Auckland footballer, and athlete, is safe in England after spending some years as a prisoner of war in Germany. Sergeant Flett, who left New Zealand with the Third Echelon, served in Greece with the 24th Battalion. Cut off in the evacuation of Greece in April of 1941, Sergeant Flett took to the hills with other New Zealanders, but, after 15 months, they were forced to give themslves up when the Italians held a group of friendly Greeks as hostages, threatening to shoot them if.they did not disclose the whereabouts of the New Zealanders. After their capture the New Zealanders were placed in chains in Greece, but later Sergeant Flett succeeded in escaping, only to be again captured after three months' freedom. He was then taken to Stalag VII.A in Germany and he remained there until last February, when he was transferred to another camp in GermanySergeant Flett was a prominent Auckland Rugby player prior to the war. and, while playing for Grammar Old Boys, he represented Auckland in 1937 and 1935. -showing fine form as a speedy wing-three-quarter. He was also a promising sprinter and competed with success at athletic meetings as a member of the Grammar Old Boys' Club. In 1938, he dead-heated with M. C. Baker In the final of the 100 yards Auckland provincial championship. He later played sound football for the Barbarians' Rugby Club. While a prisoner in Germany, Sergeant Flett organised and also played football as a means of keeping himself fit.