His captors had recognised the wings after he had leapt from a burning SAS jeep, packed full of explosives, at Benghazi in September 1942 – a third, failed SAS raid attempt. He was one of the very first Rogue Heroes, the daring men recruited by SAS founder David Stirling into his elite regiment in the Second World War.

Near the river in a small settlement, the shifta had commandeered a couple of thatched huts and lain up for the night.Ms Almonds-Windmill said: "He had assaulted an Italian officer in the escape and was under sentence of death. After a walk around, he telephoned the commandant, reported that there were no Germans in the area, then told him that he was going home and made for the mountains.

Mr Almonds' daughter Lorna Almonds-Windmill wrote to the Telegraph following the article about the compass: "My father was the only member of 'L' Detachment 1st SAS to keep a contemporaneous diary and he lived to the age of 91. Such methods of interaction enabled him to make the most of his considerable powers of oral persuasion and personal charm. Major 'Gentleman Jim' Almonds, who has died aged 91, was the oldest surviving member of the original complement of the SAS; he was subsequently commissioned in the field after winning the MM twice and twice escaping from a PoW camp. The Jerry cans were hit by the sea each time and lost from view but then the air inside them pulled them back to the surface. The moon had not risen and the stars of the immense desert night gave little light, cloaking their clandestine mission.The “Gentleman” tag came later because, although 6 ft 4 ins tall and fearsome in battle, he was gentle, calm and thoughtful in the company of his comrades. After intensive training in Scotland, Almonds went to Egypt as part of "Layforce" but the brigade was subsequently disbanded, and part of No 8 Commando joined the besieged garrison at Tobruk. Indeed, if ever there was proof a professional soldier can be both ruthless killer and possess great compassion, Sergeant (later Major) Jim Almonds was that rare example. Earlier that day, he had agreed with Duncan Cumming, Britain’s Chief Administrator running Eritrea, to catch the shifta and retrieve fifty stolen cattle. Mr Almonds, born and bred in Stixwould, near Woodhall Spa, was one of the original members of the fledgling Special Air Service (SAS), who unleashed guerrilla war on enemy airfields and ports.