Katharine and I had a trip to Malton, some 15 miles north-east of York, yesterday. Our visit was to Eden Camp, the site of a Second World War prisoner of war camp which has been converted to a museum of the war, with displays showing both civilian and military life.
There were many things that caught my interest, but the child's painting in my shot had a very poignant story behind it:-
DONALD BENNETT AGE 9
Donald Bennett lived in a cottage at The Croft, Old Malton, with his mother. They had moved from Hull to escape the Blitz, his father was employed in Hull.
The painting titled "Salute The Soldier" was done at school and entered in the "Malton and Norton District Salute the Soldier competition." He was eight years old at the time and the painting came second.
Tragically four months later he fell into the Derwent river at the Gannock, Old Malton and drowned. He is buried at the churchyard in Malton, an indirect casualty of war.
Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. There were many things of interest at Eden Camp, but the sad story of this one child who died really touched my heart. Why oh why don't we finally realise the full horror of war and seek to bring it to an end?
Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. There were many things of interest at Eden Camp, but the sad story of this one child who died really touched my heart. Why oh why don't we finally realise the full horror of war and seek to bring it to an end?
Ian