[3][5] He served in England until the outbreak of World War II where he was sent to France as a platoon commander participating in the defence of Calais.

His first escape attempt was participation in digging a tunnel which was discovered and for which he received six weeks solitary confinement.

He escaped in May 1941 with two other British officers; Major Ronald Littledale and Lieutenant Mike Sinclair, by hiding in a modified handcart carrying rubbish to a pit outside the camp.

They made contact with the Polish underground movement in Warsaw but, after the other two officers had moved on, Davies-Scourfield was recaptured in March 1942.

Davies-Scourfield was sent to Oflag IV-C at Colditz Castle and was rejoined by Littledale and Sinclair following their recapture months later.

On return to England he learned of his award of the Military Cross for his action in Calais and mentions in despatches[11] for his escape attempts and assistance in others.

[13] Gris' Military career continued, first in the War Office where his rank was substantiated to captain[3][14] then, in 1947, Palestine[13] during the final years of the British Mandate.

Between 1949 and 1951 he worked for Military Intelligence in Malaya during the communist insurgency, during which he was promoted to major and for which he was appointed MBE.

He was Chairman of the King's Royal Rifle Corps' Regimental Association and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire.