大象传媒

I was born in a village. My father was a farmer. There were six children in my family. The war started and my mother died of an illness in April 15th 1940. I was split up from my family. At this time I was only 16 and a half. 1943 a law was passed which told all young boys over 16 and a half needed to go into the army. I was sent to Germany for forced labour. In June 1943, all my friends and myself. Sent away from my hometown to Reble station there was hundreds of lads just like me there. I told Nana that I must go. She was broken hearted. She gad seen my mother go and now me also. My Nana gave me a case containing bread cheese for journey. The conditions on the way to Germany were terrible. We took many pit stops along the way to Germany. As we drew into Germany, We herd planes over head. The train stopped. We left again and we saw bombed train carriages. We saw Prisoners of war. I herd them screaming. Screaming for water.
Every station we saw, it was the same. We saw human remain on a train truck.
I got to my destination and I was chosen to help a farmer. He was a big frightening man. I was scared. I could not speak German so it made it even worse! At his home, there were many prisoners of war. I was so hungry. I ate and ate! The next morning I was instructed to milk a cow. The other prisoners were amazed when I started mucking out the cows bare foot. You see this is what I was used to at home on my farm. From this time on, this was my job. I would get 2 marks a week for my job.
In 1944, Germany pulled back in the war. I was instructed to go to the farmer. He told me I was going home! I was so relived! The next day the farmer put me on a train. I was on my way home!
However, when I got to Austria, the train stopped. We all had to get out. I was told that I must work in Austria because of the bombs. I was sent to a Factory to make things for the war. When bombs attacked, I would hide in a tunnel away from danger. I worked in the factory with people from all different countries. We would be watched over at all times. I was forced to work harder and harder. The war was coming to an end. I would write to my Nana. She got a letter saying I was in Austria. She wrote back. She was so pleased I was still alive. She sent me parcels but there was not much left because they had been searched. In 1945 War finished. Half past 8 in the morning. We were told we were free. Everywhere people celebrated! I got back on a train. The train I was on got bombed, many were injured and some killed! I was glad to get on another train yet again. The journey continued. At one point, I had my shoes taken off me. I had hardly anything.
At last I finally got home. There was such joy! It was a happy day! But the happiness ended when I was arrested for 3 weeks. I later was told to go into the air force. I refused. I escaped to Austria in 1946, and was held there by the British. I was there until 1948.
I got married and took my wife to the places I had been to. I took her to the farm in which I worked. I spoke to the farmers Grandson. I told him who I was. He told me I was the fist person to visit him from those in the war.
It was all over and I was able to get my life back. I will never forget the War and what happened me in it.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.