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Private Laurence Arthur Coe DCM: dental technician to prisoner of war escapee

British Dental Journal volume 230, pages 483–485 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Private Coe of the Army Dental Corps is thought to be the first soldier in the British Army to escape captivity in the Second World War and achieve the 'home run' back to the UK. He was captured near Dunkirk on 30 May 1940 by the German Army and was transported to camp Stalag XXA (Thorn) in Poland. He successfully escaped from the prisoner of war camp and made his way back to the United Kingdom. King George VI thought the escape a fine performance on the part of Private Coe and awarded him the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Key points

  • Private Coe enlisted in the Army Dental Corps then deployed to Europe with the British Expeditionary Force, in 1939.

  • He was captured in May 1940 and is considered to be the first British prisoner of war to escape back to England during the Second World War.

  • He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and his escape route was used to insert agents into Nazi-Occupied Europe.

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References

  1. The National Archives. WO 373/60/593. Recommendation for Award for Coe, Laurence Arthur Rank: Private.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lance Corporal Royal Army Dental Corps, Dental Nurse, Dental Centre Wellington, London, UK

    Dawn White & Edwina Banks

Authors
  1. Dawn White
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  2. Edwina Banks
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dawn White.

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Cite this article

White, D., Banks, E. Private Laurence Arthur Coe DCM: dental technician to prisoner of war escapee. Br Dent J 230, 483–485 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-2740-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-2740-6

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