ESCAPE FROM FRANCE

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 86, 22 August 1941, Page 3

ESCAPE FROM FRANCE

New Zealand Sergeant Pilot

CABLES FROM GIBRALTAR

A prisoner of war in occupied France since last December, Sergeant Pilot CF. Scott, Geraldine, has escaped from enemy hands and is now in Gibraltar. Only two weeks ago his parents, Mr and' Mrs. John Scott, received a letter from their son in which he said that he was in hospital in Rouen with both his legs and one arm broken.

Sergeant Scott advised his parents that lie was safe and well in a cable message which they received today and he sent also the following message from Gibraltar to his cousin, Mr. S. J. Moore, Fendalton: “Escaped, -feeling fine, certain we shall win war. keen smiling, had lots fun, best love yen'' selves, folks and friends.”

On Christmas Day last year Sergeant Scott was reported missing on air operations, and three weeks later his parents were advised that he was a prisoner of war in occupied France and was wounded. Then news came from London in a letter Sergeant Scott had written to a friend in London that he was still in hospital and feeling very lonely, as all the New Zealand crew of his aircraft bad been moved from occupied France, presumably to a prison camp in Germany. He indicated that he hoped to reach England soon.

Sergeant Scott, who is 23 years old, was born in Geraldine and educated at Geraldine District High School and Timaru Boys’ High School. He attended Canterbury University College and the Christchurch Teachers’ Training College and was teaching in Dun edin before he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force last year.