A small orchard of apple trees is a poignant reminder of the lives torn apart by war and a new life forged in a foreign land.
During World War II, hundreds of Ukrainian men were forced to join the German Army. As POW’s, some of them were brought to Scotland from Rimini in Italy.
One of the POW’s, Mr Fallat, brought with him three matchboxes full of seeds.
He said;
“Where this orchard is, will be home”
The apple trees are being carefully tended by the custodians of the Hallmuir Ukrainian Chapel and are still cropping prolifically today.
The Ukrainian Chapel at Hallmuir, just outside Lockerbie, is a carefully preserved remnant of a 40 strong hut complex, designed to house over 400 Ukrainian POW’s, who would never see their home or families again.
Italian apples
Italy is Europe’s largest producer of apples fruit, and is the third largest in the world after China and the United States.
The European Commission for apples has in fact awarded Italy with three Designations of Protected Origin.
More Information
Heritageandhistory.com – Ukrainian Chapel, Lockerbie
Italtrade.com – The Made in Italy official portal – Italian apples galore.
DPcamps.org – Rimini Displaced Persons Camp