"I can prove I'm not mad...."

From The Herald, 29 March

Sanity clause
SQUADRON-Leader Eric Foster, who died aged 102 at the weekend, escaped seven times from German prisoner-of-war camps, thereby inspiring Steve McQueen's character in The Great Escape, Virgil Hilts. Eric's most successful escape was from Stalag Luft III. Having studied medical textbooks in the Stalag's library, Eric earned repatriation by faking mental illness. Unfortunately, on returning to Britain, Eric was consigned to an asylum. He soon proved his insanity was a ruse, however, being given a War Office certificate confirming the fact. He used to tell folk who argued with him: "I can prove I'm not mad – can you?"