Hampstead Garden Suburb author describes father’s Nazi capture

An author has described how his Jewish prisoner-of-war father escaped from capture by the Nazis during the Second World War at in a talk at a community-run library.

Writer John Jay, who was born in Hampstead Garden Suburb, spoke about his book Facing Fearful Odds at Hampstead Garden Suburb Community Library in the Market Place, Hampstead Garden Suburb, on Thursday.

It was the first ever author talk to take place at the library since it was saved three years ago by the community.

The book details the experiences of Mr Jay’s father, rifleman Alex Jay, who was captured by the Nazis in Calais and forced into labour in Germany.

He later escaped on his fifth attempt to flee.

The library hopes this will be the first of many author talks at the library.