Families of prisoners of war join WW1 events

Handforth held a series of special performances to mark the centenary of the First World War last week, and welcomed descendants of prisoners of war who were held in the Handforth POW Camp.

Theatre in the Quarter presented 'Over By Christmas', a choral commemoration of the departure of local soldiers to the Western Front in autumn 1914, on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th September.

The free event was attended by 120 adults and 120 school children from Wilmslow Grange Primary School and St Benedict's Primary School in the grounds of the Handforth Sports and Social Club on Friday, along with the Deputy Mayor Councillor Hilda Gaddum.

More adults and children attended a remembrance service and two further performances of 'Over by Christmas' at Honford Hall on Saturday. Guests also heard moving words from two of the eight descendants of German prisoners of war who had travelled to Handforth especially for the occasion.

Norbert Pilchler from Germany addressed everyone to say: "Our grandfather was interned here in Handforth Internee camp for 4 years as a prisoner of war. In retrospect you can say it was his luck to get here. He was granted the opportunity to get back to his small village in Bavaria and raise his own family after the war. In his lifetime he said that he was treated very well here and I wanted to take the chance to say this here too.

"We can be grateful that between our nations and all over Europe there is now a very good relationship. Considering the growing conflicts in the present world, it is more than appropriate to have been reminded of the former wars, to never be divided in the same way again. Handforth and its people do this in an excellent way and as descendants of a former German internee, we highly appreciate this. I also want to convey kind regards from our families in Bavaria to the community in Handforth."

Norman and his uncle Johann, and cousins Andrea and Rita Pichler planted a tree to remember our friendships with the support of the chair of Handforth Parish Council, Brian Tolver, and local county councilor Barry Burkhill.

Andrew Backhouse, Secretary of Friends of Handforth Station, said "We have been bowled over by the support of local parish council, housing associations and businesses to enable us to bring this all together – and by the moving nature of the event which remembered all those who left Handforth and the 24 who did not come back."

Over By Christmas', featuring well-loved songs of the period, is part of the Imperial War Museum's First World War Centenary Project.

Tags:
First World War, Handforth, Over by Christmas
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