Writing class in Johannesburg] to the wonderful internet magazine website “OPENWRITING.” This
is run by PETER HINCHLIFFE in the UK. Peter is a member of his local branch of the U3A in
Huddersfield, Yorkshire. It was his inspiration which triggered off the idea to run a similar
internet magazine for U3A in South Africa and we have an amicable agreement that we ‘borrow’
writing from our each other's sites, thus enhancing the pleasure of more and more readers.
The following is an interesting snippet, a thumbnail sketch of one of Peter’s members of
his ‘Writing and Reminiscing Group’ at the Huddersfield U3A which readers will undoubtedly
find fascinating.
THE BORSTAL BOY
... “One of the most interesting characters in my writing and reminiscing group is Dougal S -
now aged 83. He trained in the family building business. Called up into the Army at the outbreak
of World War 2. He was evacuated from the beach at Dunkirk. He then trained to be a glider
pilot. Flew supplies into Normandy on the day after D-Day. He took part in the Arnhem raid. His
glider crashed on a Dutch island before reaching the dropping zone. He was captured by the
Germans. Imprisoned in a POW camp near the Polish border. He tells the story of being
marched through a Dutch town after being taken prisoner. A chap at the side of the road,
carrying an umbrella, said to him as he marched by under German guard "Keep you chin up.
Not long now before this show is over.''
As the Russians advanced from the east Douglas and his fellow prisoners were marched across
Germany. They marched in terrible conditions for 31 days. A list of the food they were given in
all that time could have been written on a bus ticket.
After the war Douglas became a teacher. He worked first in a Borstal, a detention centre for
serious young offenders. He told us this week that when taken prisoner by the Germans, his
personal possessions were taken from him. Among these was a fountain pen of great
sentimental value. He never thought he would see it again, but eventually the Germans returned
it to him. The pen was stolen by a youngster in the Yorkshire Borstal institution. Douglas knew
the thief. Knew that the boy was due to be released on the following day. If he told the head
about the theft, the boy would be detained for another year. A moral dilemma. Douglas, after
much thought, told no-one. The boy was released, taking the pen with him.”