John Lash was commissioned into the South Staffordshire Regiment on 22 October 1939 [1]. After volunteering for special service he joined No. 3 Commando and took part in the invasion of Sicily. He was taken prisoner of war at Catania on the 14th July 1943 [2], this date being specific to No.3 Commandos' operation at Malati bridge [more...].  He later escaped and rejoined British forces. He was subsequently appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) [3].

Captured in Sicily on 14 Jul 43. Taken via Capua to Campo 19 (Bologna) . This camp was taken over by the Germans after the Armistice and P/W were moved to Germany.  
Capt. Lash hid in the cookhouse room at Campo 19 with two other officers and stayed there until the Germans had gone.
They then escaped and made their way South, but near Minnochi* they were recaptured by Germans who took them to Ascali ** and handed them over to the Carabiniere. 
Capt. Lash arranged an ingenious escape with connivance of the Carrabiniere Colonel and procured a boat which took a party of 41 P/W to Termoli where they arrived on 16 Dec. 43.[2].