To be taken
prisoner in war must be a devastating experience. The wonder is that the morale
of British servicemen in Prisoner of War camps reached and maintained such
heights. The stories of hardships and frustration are outshone by the
discipline, self-control and generous collaboration, which helped so many to
survive and to keep alive the determination never to give in. It was also thanks
to that comradeship in adversity that there were so many attempts to escape.
Prisoners had a very hard time, but the life of a prison guard was never allowed
to be easy.
For those of us
who were fortunate enough to avoid capture, it is almost impossible to imagine
what it must have been like. We can read about it and watch films about it, but
it is only others with that experience, who can begin to understand what it
meant to be caged in a Prisoner of War camp. It seems to me that one of the
great values of the National Ex-Prisoner of War Association must be its unique
ability to fully comprehend the problems and the needs of its members. The
knowledge that there is an organisation ‘out there’ which can offer the
right kind of help at the right time as they get older and more vulnerable must
be a great comfort for its members.
The Association
deserves generous support.
His Royal
Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh.
2nd February 2001.
A
FEW WORDS FROM LES ALLAN, FOUNDER OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The National Ex-Prisoner
of War Association has in its ranks men of Labour, Liberal, Conservative or
other political persuasions. Their religious beliefs encompass Church of
England, Roman Catholic or many other varied church denominations. In the prime
of their lives they stood firm in the face of enemies of your way of life. Now,
in the twilight of their lives age is proving to be a heavy burden to their
physical and mental activity. Memories of comrades in arms continue to be an
inspiration, but age tends to dim memories, which is why we publish a quarterly
newsletter. Reaching out to those who live far away or who are on their own, the
newsletter has proven to be a boost to the morale and memory of most of our
members.
The newsletter may soon cease publication due to lack of funds. In the
past we have submitted three applications for a Camelot Lottery Grant, but all
have been rejected. Each issue of the quarterly newsletter costs £500 to print
and £200 for postage and is only partially covered by members subscriptions.
However, it is a very worthwhile welfare project that we would rather not
terminate. Are any kind sponsors out
there?
The Association is registered with the Charity Commissioners as Charity
Number 292804 and annual audited accounts are submitted for approval. Our
officers and associated helpers are all dedicated unpaid volunteers, thus
ensuring that every penny donated goes to the welfare of ex-prisoners of war,
the majority of whom are now in their 70s, 80s and 90s.
Germany has put together a financial package to compensate those who were
subjected to slave labour under the Nazi regime. However, ex-prisoners of war
are excluded, with the full approval of the Ministry of Defense. Far East
prisoners of war, who were in the hands of the Japanese, have recently been
awarded compensation by our government. Sadly, many of our members who were
prisoners of the Nazis will not be receiving such compensation because the
government considers that their treatment was not bad enough. In reality the
vast majority of prisoners of war held by Germany from 1940 to 1945 were forced
into slave labour in coal, copper or salt mines or worked in sugar beet
factories for twelve hours a day, or eighteen hours when changing from day to
night shift. These were the men who fought the rearguard so that the evacuation
of Dunkirk could take place, the men who took on Rommels Afrika Korps in the
Western Desert, or who parachuted into Arnhem or fought their way ashore at
Normandy.
Crimes
against the prisoners of war held in Germany were endless, but for political
expediency a conspiracy of silence has been the policy of the UK. (“The wrongs
it is sought to right are largely illusory” Clement Atlee, House of Commons
November 1944).
To date not one UK POW held by the Nazis has been
compensated. Not one!
Due to increasing welfare requests for help and because of this
conspiracy of silence our financial reserves are now exhausted. The media report
daily on the kindness of wealthy people giving huge sums of money to various
political parties. The National Ex-Prisoner of War Association is non-political,
dedicated to helping prisoners of war in need, regardless of political
persuasion. They responded in your hour of need, so I respectfully ask you to
respond in their hour of need. We believe the majority of the British public
will agree when I say “Do not thank the politicians for your freedom – thank
instead the war veterans.”
All donations will be
gratefully received.
Mr Leslie Allan,
AM(inst)BE, President, Knight of the Order of Leopold II.
99 Parlaunt Road, Langley,
Berkshire
SL3 8BE.
Telephone/Fax 01753-818308.
