Our series on The Long March @80 continues…read about The Long March below.
William Shorrocks Butterworth, known as Peter, was an 826 Squadron Albacore pilot who was shot down over the Island of Texel on 21st June 1940 in L7089.
The Observer, Sub Lt Victor Dyke was killed. The Air Gunner, Leading Airman Robert Jackson was in six POW camps throughout the war and died on 18th January 1945. It is not known if he died on The Long March.
During his time as a POW, Peter was involved in escape activities and took part in three escapes.
Butterworth was one of the vaulters covering for the escapers during the Wooden Horse Escape at Stalag Luft III. He auditioned for the film in 1949 but “didn’t look convincingly heroic or athletic enough” according to the makers of the film.
He was also a leading light in the camp theatre at Stalag Luft III where he was a well-known comic actor along with the script writer Talbot Rothwell. He shared a room with amongst others, Lt Rupert ‘Pud’ Davies an 812 Squadron Swordfish Observer, later a famous actor.
Peter took part in The Long March of 1945. He was gazetted for his services as a POW.
After the war he became best known as an actor in the ‘Carry On’ films written by Rothwell.
The Long March…80 years ago
In January 1945, thousands of Allied Prisoners of War were force-marched west, away from the advancing Russians. Over 10,000 were evacuated from Stalag Luft III, and marched 60 miles to Spremberg in Germany, in temperatures of –25 °C.
They included FAA aircrew who had been captured from the Mediterranean to Norway.
Many POWs died from cold, maltreatment by their guards, and fire from strafing Allied aircraft. Frostbite and dysentery crippled many others who had to carry their personal possessions and food.
From 24th to 26th January 2025 this march will be re-enacted by military personnel and families of original marchers who will follow the same route and visit the farms, stables, factories and churches where the POWs slept.
Many of the POWs were eternally grateful to the Red Cross and the Order of St John, for the support that they received throughout their incarceration in the form of food parcels, clothing and mail from home. This amalgamation still exists as the ‘St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service’, commonly known as the DMWS.
As a Royal British Legion Standard Bearer, James Castle has decided to complete the 60 mile walk from Stalag Luft III to Spremburg, while carrying the flag of the DMWS on a ceremonial pole. Through various ventures he has raised over £25,000 for charity, and he would like to raise awareness of, and support the DMWS by marking their involvement in the Long March of 1945.
Any help that you are able to give will be very gratefully received. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/dmwsthelongmarch?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL