MAY 2001
I
get in contact with John Hoggard, John Chrisp
and John Beaumont.
After a few false starts we manage to fix a date to see all "three
Johns" on the same day.
12th of May 2001
Early
start. On the tube by 8.30 am. Train from waterloo Station to Havant.
Colditz Society member Paul Oliver will meet me there as will
JOHN HOGGARD
Arrive at 10.20. John Hoggard is already waiting for me. I get in his
car while Paul follows us.
John asks me if I don't mind going to his home via the "scenic"
route. He wants to show me the bluebells in the woods.
The weather is absolutely glorious. We sit down for cofee and John shows
us some mementoes,but unfortunately fails to find an Iron Cross he "borrowed"
from the Kommandantur in Colditz.
We do some photographs and leave his house around noon.
Time for a spot of lunch by the seaside with a wonderful view on the Isle of Wight.
Next
stop is JOHN CHRISP.
He has had a very difficult time since the end of last year. He underwent
a serious operation and sadly his wife passed away recently.
When we meet him he looks remarkably young for his 93 years. He talks
non-stop for more than an hour about life in Colditz.
What an amazing man. Despite everything he is so full of beans. They don't
make'em like that anymore!
I do photographs with John and Paul takes some with his digital camera.
Paul will from now on do"behind the scenes" photos which I think
is great.
