- Contributed by听
- derbycsv
- People in story:听
- Mrs Ashmore - (Grandaughter Sarah Ashmore)
- Location of story:听
- Hardwick Hall Derbyshire
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A5560878
- Contributed on:听
- 07 September 2005
In the war there were barracks in Hardwick Park in the grounds of Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire.
My Grandmother cooked for the men and prisoners of war. There were long tables with long table cloths over them. She would feed the officers and at the same time time throw food under the table to prisoners of war hiding there.
My Grandmother was not a "Jobs Worth" and cared about people. The prisoners of war were only people anyway, I think they were Italatian. My Granddad and Uncle were in a "Protected trade" (coal mining) therefore they did not go off to war. Grandad was a sawyer, cutting put props and maintenance wood at Grassmoor Colliery. My Uncle Cliff was digging with his machine similar to a JCB in Hardwick Park perhaps for coal.
My mother remembered the war for toys. The family lived in a row of terraced houses on Chesterfield Road, North Wingfield. Prisoners of war were staying with families and in the day they made wooden toys for the children on the row. Mother had a bat with holes in it and a ball on a string, she also carried a wooden doll.
One of the prisoners was fierce looking and serious, Mother would run for cover when he was around.
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo