STALAG SERVICES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 79, 3 April 1943, Page 4

STALAG SERVICES

WORK OF CHAPLAIN

WORKING PARTIES VISITED

Men who had not had a service for over two years were visited by Chaplain-Major John Hiddlestone, of Stalag VIII.B, Germany. He was allowed to leave his camp and travel over 400 miles by train, visiting working parties. Major Hiddlestone, who was formerly the Epsom was captured. In letters: to.his wife he speaks of the joy his woik is giving him and the men's appreciation of it. In September he began to take services with the working parties. He was feeling very well, he said, and with the lovely autumn weather would be fit to meet the cold winter which he hoped would be his last one as a prisoner of war.

The choir, with over 50 voices and "a very good choirmaster, had begun practising for Christmas, and he expected to have an outstanding musical service.

In November he left the Stalag to travel over 400 miles by train, visiting working parties, and he found the services a great inspiration. "The countryside in its autumn tints is marvellous, and you can imagine what a feast of beauty I have had in the last few days, he said. Later he added that they had had some heavy frosts and snow, but it was not very cold at the time. (Last winter, he said, the temperature had been 28 degrees Centigrade below.)

On November 16 the writer received the parcels posted by his wife in April and July. "They arrived in perfect order, and what a comfort they are going to be," he wrote. "I now have plenty of clothes, and all I want is toothpaste, soap, socks and chocolate. The chocolate was delicious."

Through all the letters ran the encouragement he was receiving in his work, Communion services and others packing the church. He concluded: "I would love to give you a picture of the work I am able to do for God and the wonderful times we have."