大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by volunteer from The Chepstow Society on behalf of Herr Wilham Schomaker and has been added to the site with his permission. Herr Wilham Schomaker fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Old memories! Oh yes - Oh yes. I have also lots of questions for Chepstow, most good ones, 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 POW camps in France and Belgium. I was taken Prisoner on Sunday 3rd Sept. 1944 with six healthy and one wounded comrades, between the french and belgian border ( Maubeuge). 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 terrorists, 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 twelve weeks we stood in the open air with only one blanket. No spade, no loo! Daily nine and a half biscuits, on Christmas 1944 did we get tents.

In March鈥�45 we were shipped to U.S.A. 21 days at sea below the deck. Halifax - Boston - up to Mississippi, Grenada. Camp McCain! It was very hot there. Back to Ohio (Daiton) camp Petry. March鈥�46 to Belgium (for 2 months) to Brussels, Antwerp to England. Via London by train overnight to Chepstow. In Chepstow onto the Racecourse. It was I guess May鈥�46. I presume the Racecourse is the second biggest in England? After a fortnight or so, up to Bulwark.

My first job was on the New House Farm in Llansoy. I was the first POW in the village they were all afraid of me. For the first 7 weeks I had only rape (swede, beet leafs and kale) 鈥楲ots of stones and little bread鈥� ( 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 four engine bombers Liberators crossed the skies. The Cale鈥檚 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 鈥渉e鈥� sold a lot of it.

Particularly nice were the Sundays. In Chepstow there is a little chapel (only a little colourful church) (Gunter thinks the old Roman Catholic Church in Welsh Street). Whenever we went to the service around 20-30 men, we marched on the pavements with our stud fitted shoes through Chepstow clatter, clatter we wake up the inhabitants. On Mothers Day did we sing the song (To the well being of tomorrow鈥檚 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 (Apprentice College) did we lay a comrade to rest (Joh Brand). In winter 46-47 snow clearance.

From Easter鈥�47 Newchurch West to Harry Park. Evening work. Whitsun marched on foot from Bulwark to Newchurch. I left at 6.30.am, how many miles is it? I got five shillings. We used money to send a parcel (cacao, tea, coffee). Harry Park give me packet of Woodbine, plenty food.

In October changed the camp, because we had to build a new bridge. I came to Droitwich then to Worcester hostel Witfield. I have been in Malvern working in Pielks Quarry. Saturdays shopping in Worcester in Woolworth or Second-hand shop (cotton, silk, needles, zip and buttons etc). On Saturday afternoon I stood on top of the hill in Worcester, suddenly, a heavy church-bell started to ring I nearly fell. Sounds of the Homeland.

Malvern is a wonderful area (seven 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 under bed.

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

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