South Yorkshire Times, August 4th, 1951
“Comical Experience!”
Missing Wath Soldier Was Held by Jugoslavs
Interrogation and imprisonment by Jugoslav troops in Trieste is described by 20-year-old National Serviceman, Sergt. William Disley, in a letter to his family at 70, Chapel Street, Wath.
Sergt. Disley was reported missing a month ago and for three weeks his people knew nothing of his whereabouts. Last Thursday they were notified by the War Office telling them that William was safe and sound and since then they have received this letter telling them the whole story.
Out Sketching
Miss. Rose Disley, a member of Wath Grammar School staff, told the “South Yorkshire Times” this week that her brother had apparently been moved to a new part of Trieste. One day he went out sketching and unwittingly wandered into “No Man’s land.” He was challenged by a Jugoslav sentry and was going to “run for it” but heard the click of a rife and changed his mind. He was taken by Jugoslav troops to Communist Party Headquarters and interrogated for several hours.
The following day he was hand over to Trieste Security Police and from them back to the British Army.
A Mystery
Why three weeks elapsed before they were notified of his re-appearance, remains a mystery to Miss Disley and her mother Mrs. A. E. Disley. Miss Disley told us that she got the impression from his letter that her brother had no idea he had been reported missing; he just mentioned the incident in passing starting – “By the way I had a rather comical experience the other day….”
“I don’t think he realises what suspense and misery we have been through” his mother commented.
Sgt. Disley, an instructor in the Royal Army Education Corps, is a student of Leeds College of Art, where he studied for two years before call-up.
During his six months in Trieste he has done a great deal of sketching and has frequently been out on fishing trips at night to draw the fishermen at sea.
“When the Jugoslav’s found him drawing near the frontier they were very, very suspicious.” Miss Disley said “and didn’t know whether he was genuine or not.”
Now Sgt. Disley is on three weeks manoeuvres with the North Staffordshire Corps in Austria. He is due for a home leave in September.