22 Facts About Oliver Philpot

Oliver Philpot wrote the book Stolen Journey, in which he recounts daily life as a prisoner in various POW camps, ending with his escape via the Wooden Horse and his return to England.

Oliver Philpot was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, the son of an expatriate London engineer.

Oliver Philpot was educated, first at Aymestrey School near Worcester, then at Radley College between 1927 and 1932 and then studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Worcester College, Oxford University.

Oliver Philpot was confirmed in his rank on 15 January 1941 and later in the same year was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Promotion to Flying Officer soon followed and it was Flying Officer Oliver Philpot who took off in Beaufort O - Orange for an attack on a German convoy off Norway on 11 December 1941.

Oliver Philpot was suffering from the effects of the two days in the dinghy and was at first sent to a German military hospital in Oslo.

On his return to Sagan, Oliver Philpot was returned to the east compound, where he had previously been held; in the interim period, most of his friends had been moved to the north compound.

Oliver Philpot returned with the bags while Codner remained in the tunnel all day to continue the digging.

Oliver Philpot made his way to Sagan station, where he caught the train to Frankfurt.

The next day, Oliver Philpot spent the day around the Swedish dock and in the evening managed to smuggle himself onto a Swedish ship called the Aralizz.

Once the ship was at sea, Oliver Philpot again made his presence known to the captain, who took a different attitude now the ship was no longer in port.

Williams, Codner and Oliver Philpot were the only three men to escape from the east compound at Stalag Luft III and regain their freedom.

Oliver Philpot returned to the United Kingdom on a BOAC flight just before Christmas to be reunited with his family.

Oliver Philpot did not return to operational flying and after debriefing by MI9 he was posted to the Air Ministry as a senior scientific officer.

Oliver Philpot was awarded the Military Cross on 16 May 1944.

Oliver Philpot was Chairman of Robert Windsor Ltd in the late 1960s.

Oliver Philpot served as chairman of the RAF Escaping Society.

In 1950 Oliver Philpot wrote an autobiography of his experience as a prisoner of war and escapee.

Oliver Philpot titled the book Stolen Journey, and it was illustrated by Ronald Searle.

Oliver Philpot was an active member of London Rowing Club, Putney, London.

Oliver Philpot rowed the Boat Race course from Putney to Mortlake until his 70s.

Oliver Philpot's ashes were scattered on the Thames at Putney.