MADAM. Ross-on-Wye and District Probus Club meets every Monday, at The Conservative Club in Ross. Like most Probus Clubs they have their share of ex-service men and quite a few WW2 veterans as members. Dr Ken Parsons is one such member, who describes, in his autobiography, how in 1944, he was shot down in a Halifax bomber over German occupied Holland. Being injured and barely conscious, he was picked up by a group of farmers, handed over to the Dutch Resistance, cared for and hidden by Dutch families and nursed back to health by a local Doctor, all at great personal risk to these brave Dutch people. He was, at times, grouped with other allied personnel who were trying to evade the Germans and get back home. This fascinating story is well documented in his book, 'Dream True'. Ken's gratitude and admiration of the Dutch people knows no bounds. He and his wife, Dr Sally, have made frequent visits to Holland, to visit the graves of his dead crew mates, attend memorial services and join his Dutch friends in the Liberation celebrations. Our daughter, Caroline and her husband live in Hertfordshire and Caroline teaches at a primary school in Potters Bar. My wife, being an ex-teacher, and Caroline often swap anecdotes and experiences relating to the class-room. During a recent visit to us in Monmouth, Caroline was telling us about a nine year old boy, in her class, and his choice of reading. It is Caroline's policy to encourage the children to choose their own books and discuss them with teacher. Paul Blakemore was reading a book called 'Seven Year Interlude', when Caroline suggested that it might be a bit adult for young Paul, the boy proudly announced that it was written by his Grandfather, Eric Blakemore,and was an account of his evasion from the Germans in Holland. At our next Club meeting, following Caroline's visit, I couldn't wait to ask Ken, if the name Eric Blakemore meant anything to him. "Oh yes," was his reply, "he was in our group" and he was one of the first of the allied airmen Ken was teamed up with by the Resistance. Ken was able to lend me a signed copy of Eric's book and I went on to discover a number of references to Ken's involvement in the escapade, in the same way that I have found a number of references to Eric, on re-reading my copy of 'Dream True'. This remarkable coincidence reminds us what a superb sense of comradeship is inherent in these ex-servicemen, and what a wonderful contribution they make to our Probus Club meetings.

Bill Painter, St Thomas Road, Monmouth