Timandra Slade

I was born in London to an Australian mother and was adopted as a baby into a fascinating and well-connected military family. In a house clearance following my mother's death I discovered a briefcase containing details of my father's extraordinary wartime escape after he was captured following the surrender of the 51st Highland Division at St-Valery: his original journal, maps, sketches and photographs. My uncle was also captured having been shot at Robecq near St-Venant. He managed to escape from hospital with a fellow patient, meeting up with his cousin in Spain. Inspired to further research, in tribute I have brought their stories to life. I have followed the routes that were taken, found family members who shared all or part of the journey and hopefully, strand by strand, allowed the story of these remarkable men to make its escape once more.