Paul Royle, one of the two remaining survivors of World War II's famous prison break, died in a Perth Hospital following surgery for a fractured hip. The 101-year old Royle, is one of the few survivors of the 'Great Escape', as it was called, the prison break from the Stalag Luft III, a German prisoner of war camp in Poland, according to ABC news. A total of 76 men actually broke out, but 50 were quickly recaptured and upon Hitler's orders, executed.
The men dug a 110-meter deep tunnel under the camp in March 1944, finding freedom on the other side. They took the dirt from each dig out in their pants leg and deposited it about the camp in areas that match the color, according to The Huffington Post. This was primarily Royle's role.
Former RAF Flight Lieutenant Royle was one of the few survivors, as was Dick Churchill, the only remaining living member of the legendary prison break. Churchill is 94.
Royle's freedom was brief; he and his companion were recaptured and taken to a local jail in a German village. Royle returned to the prison he had escaped from, and met an Australian fighter pilot named Paul Brickhill.
Royle spent just shy of 5 years as a prisoner of war during WWII. He was a pilot in the Royal Air Force and was shot down on May 17, 1940, and liberated from the prison camps by British troops on May 2, 1945.
His friend Brickhill is credited with writing the book, The Great Escape, telling the story of the prison break. The book was turned into a movie, starring Steve McQueen.
Royle's son, Gordon Royle, recants this last story from his father: "I called Dick Churchill yesterday and said 'I'm bringing you the news that you're the last one,'" Gordon Royle said. "He was sad but stoic."
Royle is survived by his second wife, according to the Inquisitr, and five children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
