Thefirst things I noticed on arrival at the camp in Osnabruck were the large gatesand high walls with Swastikas in wrought iron all the way along the top, wroteAllan Huntingdon, whose hometown was Darwen.

I was informed at a later stage that this camp had been the Gestapo Headquarters. Through the gates was a large guardroom and beyond that was a very large square, which was obviously the parade ground, surrounded by three-story buildings on all four sides.

Three sides of the camp were occupied by up to three thousand displaced persons. Most of these were-ex prisoners, who had been held by the Germans during the war.

All the buildings were centrally heated and had triple glazing on all windows, which we found to be extremely useful as it was bitterly cold at times, and apart from that, the windows were completely sound proof, most welcome when there was a parade in progress.

The parades were generally every day and if the windows were open, the noise was very loud as the parade ground was completely surrounded. Any noise coming from there seemed to echo all around the camp.

The people in the camp were collected from various areas in Germany, brought to our camp, medically examined and if physically fit enough, were issued with dark blue battledress uniforms, boots and more or less everything that was needed and grouped into sections suitable for their own languages and religions, etc.

They were vetted to make sure they were not German soldiers trying to escape trial for war crimes or some other crimes. Then they were treated just like British soldiers and given basic training in drill, etc.

This was so that we could control them whilst they waited for the clerical staff to try to rehabilitate them to all the Allied countries that were prepared to take them. Most of them had lost their family and home; no papers to even prove who they were.

Some of the stories we heard were heart rending. To an impressionable 18-year old there were things I would never forget. It wasn't unusual for some of them to lose heart and go into the forest to commit suicide or even buy a bottle of German Schnapps and drink it all in bed and not wake up in the morning.

During the 15 months I was there I would guess we took about 15,000 to 18,000 men through the camp. I often wonder what happened to them and whether they found happiness at last.

Some of them I got to know quite well for the short time they were with us but there were so many of them it was impossible to get too friendly.

One particular Polish man who I got to know quite well was the camp butcher. He actually was persuaded to stay with us to look after the pigs and poultry, which we had in the camp. He was about 6ft 6in in height and I would estimate his weight to be about 18 stone.

When he was ready to slaughter a pig, he wound stand astride the animal, put one arm round its neck, lift it on to its back legs and in the other hand he had the largest knife I have ever seen. I won't go into any more detail, but I must tell you that the pork was something I will never forget.

The housing block we were allocated was rather luxurious compared to the camps I had previously been to and consisted of long corridors with rooms all facing the parade ground, and the other side of the corridors were for the toilets, bathrooms and shower rooms. It was better than home. Well, Almost.

Also in the grounds was an open-air swimming pool, which I found very useful in the summer. Life was pretty good for a young lad of 18 and when it was time for demob, I was very tempted to sign on for a further three years but the thought of not being with my family and friends at home quickly made me realise that home was best.

Although, I must admit, after I had been home a few months, I regretted leaving the Army and still do to this day.