Orkney is not unique in having a Catholic chapel built by prisoners of war (Letters, 26 May). In the village of Easton Grey in Wiltshire is a small industrial estate and agricultural yard that was once No 89 working camp. It held Italian prisoners of war who were trusted to leave the camp and work on the land.
They converted a hut into a church, which they decorated with beautiful wall paintings. You can still see these wonderful frescoes, with the land owner’s permission.
By the entrance of our local Catholic church is a plaque donated in 1981 by Franco Montanari that thanks the locals for treating the prisoners well.
Gordon Williams
Malmesbury, Wiltshire
• We had a prisoner of war camp near where I grew up in Surrey. The German prisoners were welcomed to our house and used to make toys out of wooden pallets for me and my sister. My parents even got them to babysit so they could go to the theatre. They started writing letters to my parents on the day they were repatriated, and the exchange between them went on for years. I still have all their letters.
Christine Hayes
Wokingham, Berkshire
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
