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Bill especially mentions Arthur Weston who made thousands of artificial legs for the POW unfortunate enough to need his services. Arthur was also especially helpful to many relatives and friends in assisting them during pilgrimages to the cemeteries in search of the resting places of their loved ones.

It is also good to know that courage from ordinary civilians is remembered. Bill reminds me of a ´óÏó´«Ã½ ‘Heart of Gold’ programme featuring a French family who helped an RAF crew from their burning aircraft.

There were many characters that Bill encountered or got to hear about in his own war. One of these was Gordon Rolls who won and lost a fortune gambling his inheritance but also showed great courage and compassion to a dying comrade on the terrible Death March 700 miles across Europe.

Looking back on his experiences one thing which comes over very clearly from speaking to Bill is the value and importance to him of the comradeship that was forged through such terrible adversity. Although many of those who survived are no longer with us their courage fortitude and continuing valour against such terrible odds must always be remembered with pride and thanksgiving by thier country. For it is on their sacrifices that is based our present and future.

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