大象传媒

"This story was submitted to the site by the 大象传媒's Peoples War Team in the East Midlands with Betty Edmonds permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions"

I was about 6 years of age. Christmas was a very special time and my Mother saved rations and coupons for Christmas Cake and a Pudding which I helped to mix and put in 3 silver three penny bits. Some how we always had one each!

Prisoners 鈥� usually Italian I believe and a few German were under guard in quarters in Sherwood Forest. Dad was serving in the NFS. I don鈥檛 know how arrangements were made but trusted citizens were contacted via NFS. On Christmas Day two soldiers would arrive in the morning bringing three 鈥減risoners鈥�. They were always family people, kind , thoughtful and had good manners. They were always family people, kind, thoughtful and had good manners. They played with me, told me stories of their homes and we laughed a lot.

We sat round a cheery coal fire in the front room (we usually only had a fire in the dining room).

We shared a wonderful Christmas dinner. Dad always made a table decoration out of cotton wool and hid a few sweets in parcels in it. We each pulled a string and had a present. The guests always brought presents. I remember a hand painted tile for Mum and Dad, a wobbling wooden duck for me; a home made puppet (from a sock). Dad had a hand made cigarette box. Our guests were given socks, gloves and on one occasion a guest said he missed his wife s linen so Mum made him two pillow cases from an old sheet and embroidered them.

After dinner we played games in the front room 鈥� card games, magic puzzles such as saucers and photographer (I鈥檝e tried these with children in school and they are fascinated). The Kings speech was a must on the radio.

We also sang carols round the piano. One guest was brilliant and he and dad played duets.

I recall hugging one guest as he stood by our Christmas tree in the hall, crying as he said his families names. Mum asked if they had photos and all had so we put the pictures on the tree and sang a carol 鈥� it was wonderful.

Tea time was supper. Sandwiches, home made buns, Christmas cake, jelly.

At 6.00pm (Dad told me), the escorts arrived. They were given a glass of sherry 鈥� guests too and wished happy Christmas and a blessed new year.

I鈥檝e often wondered what happened to our guests. Each year they made Christmas special. They too had loved ones 鈥� even in wartime. We shared what little we had and celebrated the true meaning of Christmas. Where are we now 64 years later?

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