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Herbert Heinemann

The wartime memories of Herbeit Heinemann

Bellasize Camp Nr 264.¹Records show Camp 264 as beign Welton House , Wleton, Brough.

Arriving [at] our new camp first of all we had to assemble, we were counted to be sure nobody [had] got lost. After that had taken place we took possession of our huts. [It was the] First time I got the sight of a bed since 1944. Everybody of us was happy and surprised at the comfortable accommodation we were fond of. We felt like being in heaven. Commandant of this camp was a sergeant. A further two soldiers [were] in [the] charge of him and [we also had] the German camp leader. I was housed in hut 9. Again we were ready to work on farms; some of us were busy in the sugar factory at Selby. They had a good job there. With another two of us I had to do different farm work. [The] Farmers name [was] Atkinson. We were supplied with Sandwiches, boiled eggs and tea, I thought I was dreaming in view of the food. Of course we worked very hard for him to let him know we were very grateful. To my regret I went sick at a sudden and never saw him again. God bless him. [The] Distance to his farm from our camp [was] about 1.5 to 2 miles. At the 3lst of January, 73 of us had to leave Bellasize camp and left [the] likeable British soldiers behind. About 180 [of our group] were lucky to stay.

Leeds-Tingley Camp Nr 81² Post Hill Camp, Farnley, Leeds

It was not a camp really, on the contrary, [more of] a building containing several rooms . I guess it must have been a former school. The floors were covered with palliasses [sic] to sleep on, still very comfortable. [We had] Electric light and even a radio. It had been a pleasure to listen English evergreens. During my stay I worked in a quarry not far away.

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