Sgt. Laurence “Laurie” Sidney Barker, Royal Canadian Air Force

I received a note from Michael Laurence Barker of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on December 24.

He wrote, “I am the nephew of a Canadian POW who was, I believe, held at Servigliano, at least for part of his time as a POW.

“He escaped from prison camp and travelled with seven others before being discovered in a barn by the Nazis, near Pito. The Nazis set the barn on fire. When the men ran out, all, but for one, were shot. The date was March 11, 1944. The one man who escaped told the sad story to the families of the other seven men. I do not know his name.

“Laurence was buried locally by Pito villagers. Presumably the others were buried there as well.

“Laurence was later re-interred at Ancona War Cemetery.”

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