Sidney Feinson

Sidney Feinson
Sidney Feinson in Switzerland after a successful escape, 1944
Born	(1921-04-11)11 April 1921 East London, South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Unit	Umvoti Mounted Rifles
Known for	Escape from POW camp; Red Sock Friday
Battles / wars	Battle of Tobruk

Sidney Feinson (born 11 April 1921) was a South African soldier and World War II prisoner of war. His escape from a POW camp in Italy and the symbolic promise he made with two fellow soldiers later inspired the global remembrance movement known as Red Sock Friday.

Sidney Feinson was born in East London, South Africa in 1921. He volunteered to serve in the Umvoti Mounted Rifles regiment of the South African Army during World War II. Deployed to North Africa, he was captured at the Battle of Tobruk in 1942 alongside 97 fellow South African troops.^[1]

Feinson was imprisoned in a POW camp in northern Italy. After 12 months, he and two comrades escaped from the camp and made their way to the small village of Ferrera, Italy. Housed and fed with the help of the village priest and a local Italian girl, Giovanni Freddi, their journey toward the Swiss border included hiding in churches and homes of civilians who risked their lives to protect them from occupying German forces.

The experiences of Allied POWs in the region, including Feinson's story, are detailed in the book Prisoners of War in Lomellina by Giuseppe Zucca.^[2]

During their imprisonment, Feinson and his two fellow escapees made a pact: if they survived, they would wear red socks every Friday to remember one another. After returning home, they kept the promise for the rest of their lives. This act of remembrance became a symbol of enduring friendship and unity.^[3] Decades later, two South Africans, John McInroy and Ian Symons, adopted the tradition after hearing Feinson’s story. In 2007, they began wearing red socks every Friday and encouraged others to join. This grew into the Red Sock Friday Movement, a global tradition of wearing red socks as a gesture of friendship, remembrance, and solidarity.

The movement encourages wearers to dedicate the gesture to any meaningful cause or person—family, friends, fallen soldiers, or fellow survivors. It continues to expand globally, often used in schools, workplaces, running clubs, and community events.^[4]

Feinson’s story serves as a reminder of resilience, courage, and the power of human connection during adversity. Red Sock Friday is often seen not only as a wartime tribute but as a universal symbol of unity and remembrance.

• Shooops – Official Red Sock Friday Movement site
• Red Sock Friday – Runner’s Guide Blog