Private Richard England, R.A.M.C., formerly a member ofBanbury C.Y.M.S. and St. John's choir, Ban bury. taken prisoner at Tobruk in June, 1942. has been repatriated and arrived home last week. He was evacuated from Italy in Anril. and travelled home via the Middle East.
Private England was in four prisonerof-war camps in Italy, and states that, except for the inevitable shortage of food, conditions generally were fairly good. The Red Cross parcels and visits of the clergy helped very much to brighten the existence of the prisoners. Mass was celebrated in the camps on Sundays, and one Italian priest showed exeeptional kindness to the prisoners.
On another occasion an Irish priest visited the camp and conversed with the men in their own tongue.
At Christmas Midnight Mass wIts celebrated. and the Pope's representative visited the camp and distributed gifts from the Holy Father.