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We had two German POWs who used to work on the land. One was called Hans and our father said he was not a Nazi. He used to give him coffee and tea. We used to go and look for them to help them with the ditching. We could usually find them by the smoke from their bonfires. Hans would share his food with us and let us light fires. The other POW did not speak to us.

Hans carved us lots of birds. Made from one piece of wood, they had spread wings and tails, with each feather carved individually. He made the markings by charring the wood. He made a ‘clacker’ toy that represented four chickens with hinged necks stood on a board, pecking. By swinging the board the chickens dipped their heads and pecked. I still have the clacker board. He also made a windmill using two coffee tins one on top of the other with a little Dutchman figure who turned the sails.

Hans said he had a wife in Germany. After the war my parents heard from him once that he could not find his wife but did not hear again.

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