In Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, Methodist minister, Mr Howe, asked his congregation whether they'd like to invite a German POW to their homes for Christmas day. The response was warm-hearted and generous. Sixty POWs found themselves in private homes that day. Mary Clarke who worked at a typewriting Bureau in the town and her family took in two prisoners. But we managed, with a bit of sign language and pointing at this and that.
Language is no barrier sometimes.
Ex-POW Heinz Hermann recalls that 'it was wonderful. After all those years of war and captivity, to be in a private home again. Welcomed by good people. Heinz's mother in Germany was surprised and touched to receive food parcels sent by English friends Heinz had made in Oswaldtwistle.