Newark's Sam Derry: A humble gentleman who lived a life less ordinary

Sam Derry Close: A humble street sign in the heart of Newark that does little to alert people to its significance, but commemorates one of Newark and Sherwood’s finest.

Sam Derry was, by all accounts, a modest gentleman but he left a legacy of service and bravery.

Born in 1914, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Ironmonger Derry remains Newark’s most decorated soldier.

He was instrumental in supporting the safety and escape of more than 4,000 Jews and allied prisoners of war from Italy during the second world war.

This he did, hidden in plain sight, disguised as an Irish clerk, operating out of the Vatican, and assisted by a Catholic priest, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty.

When Sam left Newark’s Magnus Grammar School and entered the family plumbing business aged 17, that he would live a life less ordinary would likely have been a surprise!

His story is one of honour, courage and cunning.

Sam started his military career with a commission into The Royal Regiment of Artillery, aged 22.

Believing that service to his country was the greatest honour, the second world war saw Sam initially posted to France, before seeing action in the Middle East.

Following a successful campaign in Syria, he was promoted to Major and received the Military Cross for leadership and bravery.

While stationed in the Western Desert, Sam was captured by German forces, but managed to escape.

Evading capture and detection became a common theme for the remainder of the war.

Five months later, Sam was recaptured and transported to Italy where he was interned in a prisoner of war camp.

There, he was instrumental in leading the escape committee and oversaw the construction of escape tunnels.

In 1943, there was an effort to relocate all prisoners of war to Germany.

During this process, Sam once again escaped, this time from a moving train.

Bruised and battered, he survived and was smuggled to Rome, hidden in a vegetable cart.

Behind enemy lines, stranded allied soldiers were struggling to survive and evade detection.

Sam sought help from the Vatican and made contact with Monsignor O’Flaherty.

They founded an underground movement helping those at risk of recapture.

Following the liberation of Rome, Sam was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, was granted an audience with His Holiness Pope Pius XII, and was recruited by Winston Churchill to support the emancipation of troops, via the newly-formed MI9.

Sam later authored a book, The Rome Escape Line, relating his experiences during that time, which was subsequently adapted for the film The Scarlet And The Black, starring Gregory Peck.

Without Sam’s courage and bravery, lives and generations would have been lost.

Even upon returning to Newark in 1946, Sam continued his public service by volunteering and supporting the local community.

When, in 1963, he was the subject of an episode of the television programme This Is Your Life, many of those he served with and supported during the war were there to celebrate with him.

His life and achievements are now commemorated by a portrait hung in the council chamber of Newark’s Town Hall.

Sam Derry ­— a modest man with an extraordinary story.

Newark’s local hero.