Story of a Prisoner of War and a Tablet of Soap at Conisbrough

When Wilhelm Zehren, 33-years old German prisoner-of-war, left South Yorkshire on repatriation for his home in Dorstfold a suburb of Dortmund, he took with him many of the things in short supply in Germany.

These gifts from a young married couple in Conisbrough, who had offered him hospitality, included a tablet of toilet soap.

At home to greet him were his wife and a son, Peter, now six years old. Peter, of course, did not know his father for he was only a year old when Wilhelm left home. Peter was puzzled by this tablet of soap. He had never seen toilet soap before, and when it was explained to him what it actually was he insisted on using it on himself.

The bath over, Peter went outside in high glee. He was found there later inviting his young friends to “have a smell.” They were duly Impressed by the rare fragrance.

Wilhelm Zehren was taken prisoner within 40 miles of his home and brought to the Prisoner of War camp at Ravenfield Hall. All his off duty periods he spent at Conanby friends home, where he was always a welcome visitor. He had a knowledge of the English language learned at school and seized every opportunity to improve that knowledge by reading and conversation.

He was also pleased to borrow books and always asked for the ‘South Yorkshire Times’ and the ‘Manchester Guardian.’

A relative of the Conanby family told a ‘South Yorkshire Timer,’ reporter this week that Wilhelm was particularly interested in our “South Yorkshireman’s Diary,” and he always turned first to that feature and the Leader Page columns.

On the eve of his departure for home he wrote to Conanby expressing his deep gratitude for the happiness they had brought into his life during his stay in this country as a war prisoner. Some of the things he took back with him have not been available in Germany for some time and his return was a gala night not only for his family and his relatives, for they were specially invited to enjoy the good fortune of the good things from England—and South Yorkshire.

Wilhelm describes Dortmund as a desert of ruins, but his own village is almost untouched. He speaks with pride of the way in which, in spite of the tremendous difficulties, his wife has kept the home.

They are allowed to keep poultry, but only one bird for each member of the family. Fully scarce, and fats practically non-existent. Many articles of everyday use here are unobtainable there: things like notepaper, buttons, needles and newspaper.

Prior to the war and then was employed by a full refund, but is now looking for employment, which is very difficult to get.

Dorstfeld is a mining village and there, as in this country, the mines get extra rations

At his special request, the “South Yorkshire times” he said to him each week, and he often makes reference to items of interest to him which he is seen in his copy.