大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Pauline Day on behalf of Mary Gladwin and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

My story of the war is on a much happier note of how Fritz Stodiek came into our lives.

Fritz was taken prisoner of war when he was eighteen years old and eventually arrived at Spring Hill Camp, which is about 1 陆 miles from Chipping Campden where we live. He came, along with other prisoners, to work on our farm. There was G疟nter, 鈥淟ittle鈥� Walter, so called because he was quite small in build and my husband鈥檚 name was Walter, too and of course, Fritz.

They were good, hard-working men and later on, because of their good behaviour, were allowed to live in our cottage very near the farm yard. They were happy and content and fared well. They even 鈥渂aby sat鈥� for our family of three. When they returned home, they all corresponded from time to time. Our children were so pleased that 鈥淟ittle Walter鈥� sent them a collection of small toy animals.

In 1969, the very day man landed on the moon, there was a big surprise for us when when two visitors came to our door, Fritz and his son, Friedhelm! It was wonderful to see them. They had arrived with excellent camping gear quite independent of any hospitality we wanted to offer. A truly memorable occasion 鈥� friends from Germany to enjoy and later to watch together, man landing on the moon. I remember Fritz saying he wanted to show his son the hut he shared with other prisoners and moreover, to meet again friends he had worked with. I especially remember his telling me of his love for Campden.

When he returned home from England, he met his lovely wife, Analeise. Her home was near the Russian/German border and when the war switched to the Russian area she, along with thousands more, had to walk the trek seeking refuge, eventually arriving in Westphalia near Eggeberg, where Fritz lived. It was their good fortune to meet. They married in 1954 and have two sons and a grandson.

My family were so proud of Fritz 鈥� when my husband died in 1992,he came by plane to the funeral, such was the respect he had for my Walter - a kind and just man. Over the years, we have kept in touch and exchanged visits.

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