91�ȱ�

December, 2000

Dear Odim (Willie),
Greetings from Chepstow. My name is Marjorie. I am a member of The Chepstow Society, a local history group. We are collecting memories from people resident in Chepstow during the war years of 1939-1945. A book will be published, and distributed to all the local schools.

I have visited Kathleen, who showed me the photograph of your family. What a happy family! I also read your letter. I cannot speak German, so have asked a German friend to translate my letter to you. Kathleen is well, playing lot’s of Bridge and Whist. After Harry died, she moved into Chepstow, and now lives near her youngest daughter Jane, born after you returned home. Kathleen is looking for a photograph of the family to include in this letter.

I have visited Sam, who is well, but not able to walk far. He sends you his best wishes. He gave me memories of you walking from Bulwark to the farm at Newchurch, to help Kathleen and Harry.

I am writing to ask if you would send us your memories of Chepstow. How many years did you stay here? Did you arrive by train or lorry? How old were you? Did you have enough to eat? How many friends did you make? Did you receive news of home while you were living in Chepstow? Anything that would show the children of today how we all survived that terrible time.

The book is to go to the Primters sometime in January. We would be very pleased to include your memories in our book.

I wish you and your family a Happy Christmas.

15th December, 2000

Lieber Willi,
Grüsse aus Chepstow. Mein Name ist Marjorie und es wird Sie überraschen von mir ein Brief zu bekommen, aber ich bin Mitglied des hiesigen Geschichtsrerein (Chepstow Society) und im Augenblick sind wir dabei ein Buch zusammen zustellen, mit der Hilfe von Leuten in Chepstow und Umgebung die wärend der Kriegsjahre 1939-45 hier gewohnt haben. Wir wollen soviel als möglich, Erimerungen an diese Zeit sammeln um dann als Buch an die Schulen verteilen.
Ich habe vor nicht all zu langer Zeit Kathleen besucht und sie hat mir Bilder von Deiner Familie gezeigt was für eine glückliche Familie esist! Sie gab mir auch Deinen Brief zu lesen und hiermit werde ich auch ein paar Deiner Fragen für sie beantworten. Kathleen ist gesund und geht viel zum Karten spielen (Bridge und Whist) um Keine Langeweile zu haben. Nach dem Todihres Mannes ist sie nach CHEPSTOW umgezogen und lebt ganz in der Noihe ihrer jüngsten Tochter Jane, die nachdem geboren wurde als Du schon längst wieder zu Hause warst. Kathleen sucht für ein Bild ihrer Familie und ich werde es diesem Brief bei legen.
Ich habe Sam besucht, er ist gesund, aber lange Spaziergänge kann er nicht mehr tun. Er hat mir einige Erinnerungen von Dir erzählt unter anderem auch, wie Du von Bulwark nach Newchurch zue farm laufen muslest um Kathleen und Harry zu helfen.
Warum ich eigentlich schreibe ist, würdest Du so lieb sein uns einen kleinen Beitrag über Deine Erinnerungen und Erlebnisse in CHEPSTOW zu schreiben und uns zukommen zu lassen. Zum Beispiel: Wie bist Du nach CHEPSTOW gekommen mit dem Zug oder Lastwagen? Wo bist Du in Gefangenschaft geraten? Wie jung warst Du und wielange hast Du in Chepstow gelebt und gearbeitet? Hattest Du genug zum Essen? Hast Du Freundschaften geschlossen und wie viele? Hast Du regelmässig Post von zu Hause bekommen?
Lieber Wille, mit anderen Worten alles was Dir so durch den Kopf geht um den Kindern van heute zu zeigen wie es uns allen ergangen ist um diese schrcklichen Zeiten zo überstehen.
Das Buch soll im Januar 2001 zum Druck gehen und wir würden uns freuen, wenn wir auch Deine Erinnerungen an diese Zeit mit veröffertlichen könnten.
Du kannst ruhig alles in deutsch schreiben.
Vieleicht DRUCKSHRIFT!
Mit Dank im voraus wünschen wir Dir und
Deiner Familie ein frohes Weihnachfest
und glückliches neues Fahr.
Mit freundlichen Grüssen

5.1.01

Dear Marjorie,

Thanks Heaven that I can write this letter to England in german. Our exchange of mail to England was not very much.

Do you speak and write German? How old are you, and do you live in Chepstow?

Kathleen, only writes a few lines. I am 87 years of age and I can hartly write, so excited I am. It was my most beautiful Christmas present.

It is very difficult for me to write for you over there in an understandable sequence because, my mind if sometimes wandering off. Beside this I have lost my left side, sight and hearing.

Old memories! Oh yes - Oh yes. I have also lots of questions for Chepstow, most good once, because we were treated like human beings.

I came to England around the end of April 1946. Before that time I had 9 months on P.O.W. camps in France and Belgian.

I was taken Prisoner on Sunday 3rd Sept. 1944 with six healthy and one wounded comrades, between the french and belgian border ( Maubeuze). We left circa 300 dead comrades behind. It was very nice weather. I felt on pulse and heart to make sure I am still alive. First we thought we were taken by terrorist, but it was the 3rd U.S. Tank Army under General Patton.

Then passing through Paris, 6 km north to Charbess for four weeks and than to Cherbourg. Only hunger and lice. Altogether for 12 weeks we stood in the open air with only one blanket. No spade, no loo. Daily 9½ biscuits. On Christmas 1944 did we got tents.

In March 45 we were shipped to U.S.A. 21 days at sea below the deck. Halifax - Boston - up to Missippi, Grenada. Camp McCain! It was very hot there. Back to Ohio (Daiton) camp Petry.

March 46 to Belgian (for 2 months) to Brussel, Antwerp to England. Via London by train overnight to Chepstow. In Chepstow onto the Racecourse. It was I guess May 46. I presume the Racecourse is the 2nd biggest in England? After a fortnight or so up to Bulwark.

Practicly seen was my first job on the New (Kathleen says it is New House Farm) House Farm in Llansoy. I was the first P.O.W. in the village they were all afraid of me. For the first 7 weeks I had only rape (swede, beet leafs and kale) ‘Lots of stones and little bread’ ( a german classical expression first used by a past Emperor), but very good weather.

Only for myself and only for myself did I sing old nazi/mililtary songs when above the 4 engine bombers Liberators e.g. crossed the sky’s.

The Cale’s were good people, but pious. Whilst I was staying there I caught with help of the bitch in bracken, perhaps 100 or more rabbits, of which “he” sold a lot of it.

Particularly nice were the Sundays. In Chepstow there is a little chaple (only a little colourful church) (Gunter thinks the old Roman Catholick Church in Welsh Street). Whenever we went to the service around 20-30 men, we marched on the pavements with our stud fitted shoos through Chepstow clatter, clatter we wake up the inhabitants.

On Mothersday did we sing the song (To the well being of tomorrows youth guided by the Mothers hand).

Once was the Bishop present and we served as altar boys. (It was all in Latin so it did not matter).

In Beachley (Cadets the) did we lay a comrad to rest (Joh Brand) in winter 46-47 snow clearance.

From Easter 47 Newchurch West to Harry Park. Evening work. Whitsun marched to foot from Bulwark to Newchurch. I left at 6.30. How many miles is it?

I got five shillings. We used money to send a parcel (cacao, tea, coffee, to...... Henry Park give me ..........one packet of Woodbine, plenty food.

In October changed the camp, because we had to build a new bridge over the ..... I came to Droitwich than to Worcester hostel Wilfield. I have been in Malvern working in Pielks Quarry. Saterday’s shopping in Worcester by Woolworth or second-hand shop (cotton, silck, needles, zip and buttons etc.)

On Saterday afternoon I stood on top of the hill in Worcester.

Suddenly, a heavy church-bell started to ring I nearly fell. Sounds of the 91�ȱ�land.

Malvern is a wouderful area (7 hills) we could see Malvern from Worcester. Hostel (Witfield) was only one house. I slept upstairs. If I sat on my bed my head touched the beams. Lots and lots of apples in bed.

On last days of Nov 47 back to Droitwich, on Dec 19th 47 I was home again.

NB All letters translated by a German resident in Chepstow for over 40years.

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