- Contributed by
- LauristonHodgkiss
- People in story:
- Fl.Liet. James Hall Hodgkiss and ACW Lilian Helene Louise Hodgkiss
- Location of story:
- Fochabers, Scotland
- Background to story:
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:
- A2970812
- Contributed on:
- 03 September 2004
Both my father and my mother volunteered from Brazil when the war broke out, being called up in 1942 and travelling by convoy to the UK for enrolment in the RAF.
My dad, was sent out to Canada for training as a pilot, subsequently reaching the rank of Flight Lieutenant and Acting Flight Leader. My mother, on the other hand was invalided out of the WAAF due to health reasons, and went to live in Fochabers where an Italian POW Camp existed.
The only guard for over 1,000 internees was one lonely sergeant who dutifully closed the camp gates at night, which for the remaining period of time remained open, allowing the local populace to enjoy the best food in town.
When Victory Parades were organised, the ones who contributed most freely and generously to further greater Spitfire production, etc, were the selfsame Italian POW's.
Such was their contribution to Mussolini's efforts!
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