The amazing letters to Greater Manchester headteacher's 'darling' sweetheart from prisoner of war camp finally uncovered
"Never forget for one moment that with every breath I take I say to myself "I love you Eunice and always will - honestly." The heartbursting words of a prisoner of war to his sweetheart waiting at home, before he was later sent on the 'death march' across Europe in the final chapters of the Second World War.
Like many families, the traumatic stories of his experiences as a prisoner of war remained quiet for many years, with younger members being told 'not to ask Granddad about the war' for fear his memories would be too upsetting. But now, Roland's grandchildren are sharing his incredible story with the Manchester Evening News after rediscovering a huge collection of 200 letters to and from the prisoner of war camp, along with detailed memoirs about his time as a soldier.
"Armed as I was with only a revolver and six bullets - improvement though that was on the pickaxe handle I had been given on arrival in France — I was reluctantly forced to agree with his assessment of the situation. Similar to a drowning man whose life is supposed to appear before his eyes, thoughts flashed through my mind as I slowly stood up.
"The fish-cheese could never be forgotten — it was coated with a thick slime and it stank to high heaven, as hungry as we were, few could eat it. The only hot liquid we received was mint-tea every morning, the usual custom was to drink some and use the rest for shaving.
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