Fr. Edward Hinsley, chaplain to the Forces, nephew of the late Cardinal Hinsley, who has been a prisoner of war in Germany since he was captured at St. Valery in June, 1940, arrived back in London unexpectedly at the week-end, even before the telegram announcing his release! He was given a great welcome in his old parish of St. Mary had St. Michael, Commercial Road, although he has no home there now. A rocket bowl) demolished it during the last days of the V2 activity.
In a short talk to the parishioners, Fr. Hinsley said that the Germans had offered to repatriate him some time ago but he wanted to stay with his men. When the Americans. began their big drive eastwards the Germans evacuated the camp and the prisoners all had to walk. " I was very fortunate," Fr. Hinsley said, " in only having to do a fifteen days' march. The Germans wanted to get round the American spearhead. 'When they found this was impossible they turned us round and marched us back again. We halted at a village at the Czechoslovak border and during the night the governor of the camp and two guards disappeared. The next day we heard the Yanks' guns in the distance and the remaining guards more or. less gave themselves up to the prisoners. Finally, along came two jeeps followed by Sherman tanks. The Yanks had arrived