188570 Warrant Officer Patrick William Northway RAAF 460 Squadron from:Perth My father, Patrick Northway, as a POW in Italy helped build a Church near Udine. He had a photograph of it but had not himself seen the finished product. He wanted me to see it on my travels in Europe in the early 1970s but I was on an organised COntiki tour and was not able to reach Udine. This year my sons are giving me a holiday in Italy for my 60th birthday and we are definitely going to visit the Church and the POW campo 57. One of my sons, TOby, has some some research on the Camp. I know this is going to be a very emotional visit and sadly, Dad will only know I've finally achieved his wish, by looking down from Heaven.
Like most returned servicemen, Dad did not speak much of the war. He was a member of the Caterpillar Club as he was taken prisoner in the Middle East while parachuting to safety from his burning aircraft. He was a rear gunner.
Dad died in very sad circumstances, after a heart attack when he was 69, his mind went due to oxygen not getting through to his brain, and when he died in Hollywood Hospital, he was 'back in the POW camp'. He had to be restrained because he tried to strangle the poor old bloke in the next bed. No-one should ever have to endure anything like that. No physical wounds, but permanent mental scarring.
Thank you for letting me share. I for one, and my brothers and sons, am very proud of my Dad but I never told him!! How common is that?
Kathleen
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