In 1939, my father, a regular soldier in the Royal Engineers, was serving in Egypt. Living in Cairo, he and my mother had the prospect of an enjoyable 3 years posting – but World War II turned everything on its head and my parents were to be separated for 7 years. My father was captured while serving with the 8th Army in North Africa and became a POW in Italy. Escaping with another young Sapper Officer, they hid in a cave in the Abruzzo. Found by an Italian shepherd boy, they were to spend many months living with the Salutari family on their farm in the hills. This resulted in a life-long love of Italy, and their Italian family. This is a story of breathless human kindness.
An illustrated talk by Roger Jagger.