大象传媒

This is my story about a tin of peas from the war that has just been returned to me!!!

When we first moved into Austria in 1945, the 220 Field Company Royal Engineers - 56th Black Cap Division (named after Dick Whittington and his cap!) into a field near Innsbruck; next to us was a "displaced person's" Camp, many of which we had seen ass we went throuhh the couihntry.

When we got there we had no water, so we went into the illage of Vols to see wheat we could find. I knocked at a door that happened to be Johann Schwarzenberger's house.

I've kept in touch with this family since 1945 to the present day, 2004. This was when I received a big parcel from the only one of the family left, Hans.

In the parcel I was surprised to find a big tin of peas that was tinned in 1942, that I had given to the Dad adn he had passed it onto the son!

There was also a letter that said:

"Dear Tom

I kindly remember teh two soldiers Toma nd Walter from England, and you have been regularly with us to get water from the kitchen and for a talk with my dear parents.

When I was a child, I was afraid of war with bombs, military police, arrests. You have brought us confidence and queit. The Americans had evicted us from our home till finally we found quiet.

Helga has told you the most important of me; I am now in old-age pension since seven years; I have a nice life companion; I often go up to the mountains by mountain-bike, per tour 1200 meters high; I also have bees like my father and I am happy and contented.

Now a surprise for you! I have got a tin can from my father, a tin of English Grown Peas - Chivers and Sons Ltd. dated July 1942!

This can of peas has been handed to us by you both, and is now a memory from 1945.

This can of peas I send it to you by mail in great respect to two people which have found a place in my heart.

My children, two women, 37 and 35 years old, they have no relation to this tin can. Also I remember, we have got a 3 Kg can of pineapple fruits at Christmas 1945. In my mindit still tastes very well.

Now, best wishes top you and your family, I thank God that I am able to send personal greets to you.

Hans Schwarzenberger
born: 1941 in Vols b.Innsbruck"

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