Jack Simmonds, who has died aged 99, was a 20-year old Whitley pilot shot when he was shot down over Holland in July 1941.  He spent the next four years as a POW and was involved in a number of escape attempts from the various camps he was incarcerated in.  He eventually ended up Stalag Luft III where he assisted in the successful “Wooden Horse” escape.  In late January 1945 he was in the column that was forced to march westwards on the “Long March” when severe weather conditions were experienced.  He remained in the RAF post-war and served in Palestine when he survived the terrorist attack on the King David Hotel , which resulted in the loss of many lives.  He converted to the Sunderland and landed his big flying boat on the River Thames near Tower Bridge.  He later served in Cyprus.

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