THE article regarding the Italian POW (October 24) was very interesting, particularly the name Nicolini. I used to have a Great Aunt Beat, who was churchwarden for Woodwalton church in the early 1960s. My mother and I used to visit her about that time. I

THE article regarding the Italian POW (October 24) was very interesting, particularly the name Nicolini.

I used to have a Great Aunt Beat, who was churchwarden for Woodwalton church in the early 1960s. My mother and I used to visit her about that time. I would have been about five.

I remember an Italian called Nicolini, who used either to lodge with or visit my great aunt, who lived in cottages just past the church. My only memory of him was that he scared me, as he used to tease me and hide my toys.

NEVILLE PALMER, Belvedere, Ramsey Forty Foot

* MY parents farmed at Bury Green Farm, Biggin Lane, Ramsey, and in common with many other farms locally were assisted by the Women's Land Army. We had, over a period of time, three Land Army girls - sadly no longer in touch with any of them - and later in the war both Italian and German prisoners.

Some of the prisoners were billeted at Hazeldene, a big house on Bury Road, Ramsey, home of the late E P Brand. At first, the men were brought to the farm in a lorry, together with an armed guard, but later father used to fetch them by car.

Father was unwilling to allow them into the house, being a veteran of the 1914-18 conflict and having two sons and a daughter away in service. He was perhaps understandably anti, but mother, being a more gentle soul, allowed them into the outhouse where they made their own coffee with utensils all made by themselves with bits of tin. They also fabricated simple toys and a knife for us boys.

Most of them were very friendly and tried hard to integrate and learn English, using a very tatty dictionary and paper and pencil supplied by mother.

JEFF EDWARDS, Newtown Road, Ramsey