BLIND PRISONERS

Grey River Argus, 26 January 1943, Page 6

BLIND PRISONERS

SCHOOL AT GERMAN CAMP INVERCARGILL, Jan., 25 There is a schood for blind prisoners of war in Germany, where prisoners are taught massage, music, shorthand and typewritinng besides handicrafts such as basket-making. Lieutenant the Marquis of Normanby is in charge of the school and the teacher of music is an Invercargill man, Sergeant Rutherford Brown, son of Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Brown. In letters to his parents Sergeant Erown tells something of his life as a prisoner of war and as a teacher of music to his unfortunate fellowprisoners who have lost their sight in the war.

In a letter Sergeant Brown said: “It is very quiet here, but one always seems to have something to do. I get up about 7.30, have my breakfast and get my pupils cracking on their practice. At 10.30 I have a Braille class, where I am learning the ordinary Braille system with Lieutenant the Marquis of Normandy, and later I will be doing the musical Braille system, which is quite different. After lunch I have four lessons (there will be more next week) and then abreak before a' walk at 3.30, arriving back just about dinner time.

“In the evening I usually manage a bit of practice myself, then supper and bed at nine. Last night we had a' concert run by the Harmonica Band with some singing, short sketches and an interval by 'the dance band, which played two new numbers that I brought from camp VIII. and arranged for them.”