Lottery fund turns Barry, 85, into a returning war hero

DURING the Second World War he dodged German bullets, brought rations to other Jews who had survived the Nazis and kept watch over a prisoner of war. Last week Hampstead resident Barry Jacobs, 85, travelled back to Belgium to relive his memories with the

DURING the Second World War he dodged German bullets, brought rations to other Jews who had survived the Nazis and kept watch over a prisoner of war.

Last week Hampstead resident Barry Jacobs, 85, travelled back to Belgium to relive his memories with the help of the Big Lottery Fund's Heroes Return 2 programme.

In 1944 he was stationed as an aircraftsman with the 83 Group RAF Police Unit, Second Tactical Air Force, and his number was 2246825. He was the youngest in his unit - and the only Jew.

"The war - the whole thing was dreadful, no doubt about it," said Mr Jacobs, of Fitzjohn's Avenue.

"Knowing how they treated the Jews, gypsies, homosexuals - they just killed millions.''

Read the rest of this fascinating interview in this Thursday's Ham&High.