ANZAC POW
By
William (Bill) Anthony Cole RUDD, VX39694, 2/7 Field Coy RAE 9 Division, DoB 7 December 1917.
Bill Rudd was captured by the Germans at Ruin Ridge, El Alamein, on 28 July 1942, along with many others, about a battalion quickly became POWs. He escaped from an Italian Camp in Italy and, with others, made his way over the Swiss Alps to freedom.
May I suggest you have a read of his great website - it has a wealth of information about some of our Rat POWs.
Also, a great interview with Bill RUDD OAM.
( http://australiansatwarfilmarchive.unsw.edu.au/archive/200-william-rudd )
Some years ago I had the privilege of having met Bill RUDD OAM - Although Bill was not a Rat of Tobruk, having disembarked in the Middle East 25/09/1941 and his Unit 2/7 Fld Coy left Tobruk 27/09/1941, I invited him down to Tobruk House to meet up with some of the Rats of Tobruk Veterans, who also Served at El Alamein. I found him to be a wonderful Gentleman, as they all were.
Owen Carlton.
