Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Alexander and Margaret Jane Cargill, of Red Hill, Queensland, Australia.

HIS DUTY FEARLESSLY AND NOBLY DONE. EVER REMEMBERED

EXECUTED FOR SAVING MATES
News has been received of the execution by Italians, in Yugoslavia of Gunner C. E. Cargill, formerly of Claremont Street, Ithaca, who was shot because he refused to divulge information regarding his comrades. Gunner Cargill left Australia in May, 1940. and served in Greece with the First Anti-Tank Regiment of the Sixth Division. He  was taken prisoner in May, 1941, and on December 17 that year, with Sergeant John Denvie, D.C.M. of the N.Z.E.F., escaped from his prison camp in Austria. The two joined the Yugoslav guerillas and  in February, 1942, while suffering from frostbite, after an all-night action, Gunner Cargill was captured by the Italians. He was subsequently executed at Buranica Bridge, in Slovenia. Retreat Located.  Sergeant Denvie, since returned to New Zealand, has written Gunner Cargill's father, Mr. A. Cargill, describing the circumstances under which his son was captured by the Italians. As he was suffering  acutely from frost-bite he was ordered to remain in the guerrillas' retreat while the remainder of the force went into action. In the meantime the retreat was located by the enemy and Cargill captured.  "He was shot because he refused to divulge  information regarding his comrades", said Sergeant Denvie. "He was one of those whose bravery should have been adequately rewarded try. Gunner  Cargill's mother died some months ago.

DIED WITH HIS CHIN HELD HIGH
Mackay Gunner Fought With Guerillas REFUSED TO BETRAY COMRADES
Confirmation of the gallant death of Gunner C. E. Cargill after his remarkable escape from a German prison camp to join Yugo-slav guerillas has been received by his rela-tives in Mackay. Gunner C. E. Cargill, younger brother of Mr. George Cargill, of Mackay Post Office staff, enlisted in the first week of the war at Townsville and was in Mackay a week later when his attestation was affirmed. He left Mackay with the first AIF draft from this city in October, 1939, and served abroad with the first con-tingent to fight overseas. He was captured by the Germans in Greece, but escaped, and no official word of his fate was obtained until Mrs. G. Cargill heard of the exploits of Colonel Denvir, of New Zealand, who had escaped with Gunner Cargill, and after serving with the Yugo-Slavs is now back in New Zealand. Mrs. Cargill wrote to Colonel Denvir and received the following reply: Dear Madam,— I regret to inform you that the photo is without doubt my well-remem-bered comrade, Colin Cargill. Colin and I escaped together from prison camp and eventually found ourselves In the mountains of Yugoslavia. In those days things were very bad indeed for the British Armies, and we were faced with the alternative of sur-rendering to the Germans or con-tinuing the fight with the guerilla forces then being formed. The winter of 1941 was the worst experienced for many decades, and naturally we were feeling the cold very much. Colin was suffering from frost-bite effects from an all-night action in which he won the admiration of everyone who witnessed his daring. In the following action Colin, whose feet and nose were giving him trouble, was ordered to remain at the mountain retreat, while we went into action. Before leaving I gave Colin a piece of paper with my name and Army number in case anything hap-pened to me. The next news I had was that the Italians had raided the hills where Colin was. and killed or captured the biggest part of the garrison. Knowing that the sentence for a prisoner of war taking up arms was death, Colin refused to give any information regarding my whereabouts, and was, shot with several others at Buronica Bridge in Slovenia. My Information came from soldiers who were in the action. My next proof came from a Slovenian who was stationed in Syubljana and acted as inter-preter to the Italians. He located me and told me that my comrade, John Denvir, had been shot by the Italians. I could not under stand this until I remembered giving Colin my name and address. I then realised the sad truth. My people were informed by the Italians and Germans that I had been shot, but Instead it was my friend. To say that I missed my friend is not enough, as only soldiers who went through what Colin and I went through can know what it means to lose a friend, an undying comrade. When I left Europe, Buronica was still in the enemy's hands, but I left instructions that immediately it was possible word was to be sent to me as to where Colin was buried. I would have liked to pay my last respects to a soldier who made the supreme sacrifice, and in doing so refused to betray his friends in any way. I myself feel that the Australian Government should be made to recognise the exploits of this soldier who refused to surrender in spite of German prison camp and frost bite, and surrounded on all sides by the then victorious Huns; he carried on the fight for liberation. I wish I could have held out some hope for you but in view of all I know thought it better you should know the truth I am returning your photo herein, and if ever any word reaches me of Colin's resting place I will let you know at once.

CARGILL.— QX1679, Gunner Artificer Colin E. Cargill, 1st Anti-tank, 6th Div., escaped P.O.W., Germany, December, 1941, believed killed, dearly loved youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. A. Cargill, Claremont Street, Red Hill.