I HAVE seen an article in your paper dated June 28 regarding the treatment of prisoners during the Second World War who were detained in Warth Mills, Bury.
My father was one of those prisoners who, after being detained in Warth Mills, finally arrived in the prison camp on St Helens Island, Montreal, Canada.
On arrival at the camp, when roll call was announced, unbeknown to him, his step brother was also there as a prisoner!
Another note of interest was the fact that my father was marched on board the SS Arandora Star.
The ship was too full and he was marched off again and that evening, eventually, the ship sailed with disastrous consequences for those on board.
His parents thought he had drowned and it was three months later that they received a letter from the Swiss Red Cross to say that he was alive and well in Canada!
I have visited the camp in Canada and have copies of the prison records from that time until the camp was closed and my father and his step brother were then sent to the Isle of Man to be further processed before returning to their homes.
The irony of all this is that until retiring two years ago, I served for 36 years as a member of the criminal justice system, based at Camberwell Green Court House in London.
My father saw me sworn in but sadly my mother had died some years previously.
Life can be strange sometimes!
John Campolini
London
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here