R L MacGregor (3)


Flown to a POW camp in Bari, he was subsequently transferred to PG5 at Gavi. This camp was only available for accommodation if you had made at least 1 other escape, so it is likely that Robert tried to escape from his Italian camp too.


On the Italian Capitulation in September 1943, Robert and his RAF campmates were transferred to Stalag Luft 3 in Sagan. Robert was not one of those who got away in the great escape in March 1944, but would probably have been involved. He ended the war at Marlag Nord.


This is where RAF colleagues might be really amazed..…


At the end of the war, Robert reverted back to the Army and in 1946 was officially promoted to Captain in the Northumberland Fusiliers.


Robert went to Korea as a Major in the 1st Battalion of the RNF. On January 3rd 1951 whilst at the Imjin River, Robert placed his company so well on a hill that the overwhelming Chinese attacking force was unable to dislodge them. The company later withdrew without a single man having been killed.


For his actions in Korea and specifically on 3rd of January, Robert Leith-Macgregor was awarded the Military Cross. This makes him unique as he is the only man to be awarded the DFC in WWII and the MC in Korea - this combination of medals is extremely rare anyway.


Robert retired from the army in 1962 as a Lieutenant-Colonel and passed away on 14th November 2008.


             -  Rob Pinnell




Subsequent to this article, Rob Pinnell was also able to obtain Robert Leith-MacGregor’s MI9 POW debrief forms, which give details of his escape in North Africa and his subsequent torture and deprivation of food and water. These unique historical documents can be viewed on the next page.

R L MacGregor Page  1  2  3  4

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