South Yorkshire Times, August 26th 1944
Pathetic Scenes In Italy
Mexborough Guardsman’s Letter
Guardsman E. Prince, of 40, Byron Road, Mexborough, has sent us a touching account of the conditions of the civil population in Italy, where he is at present fighting with the Central Mediterranean Forces.
The condition of some of the villagers out here is enough to make our boys feel like crying. When we got to one village the other day the people came to us with flowers in their hands and knelt down to kiss our hands. They even wept with joy. We had to carry on, as the Hun had only left the village six hours before. I cannot describe adequately all that the Germans had done to the houses of the old people but we thank God for helping us to keep England freely from the Hun. When you see an old man and his wife about 76 years old, as we saw them today, with no boots or stockings, walking towards us through the mud and asking for a crust of bread, it is enough to upset anyone.
The lads I have with me who hail from Mexborough, Denaby and Wath, among other places, always say it is a good job we have someone to look after our old folk at home. As for the children, I don’t think they know what the fighting is for. When they hear a shell whistling through the air they run for cover, and half of them have nothing to wear except perhaps an old German coat they have washed, and even that is in rags. I hope someday they can be made to understand and have nothing to do with this Fascist movement.