German reunited with wartime pal 60 years on

A FEW old-timers in Ardfert still remember the little German lad named Bernd who spent three years in the Kerry village in the grim years following WWII.

Yesterday, he returned as a 70-year-old man for an emotional reunion with members of his host family, the O’Carrolls, shedding tears of joy and recalling happy memories.

Bernd Rosenberger was among hundreds of German children who came to Ireland under Operation Shamrock — a Red Cross programme — while their homes were being rebuilt after the war.

His native city of Dusseldorf took a savage pounding in Allied bombings and the 10-year-old was traumatised by the time he was placed in the care of John and Hannah O’Carroll — who ran a post office, shop and farm — in May 1947.

“I can still remember every part of the house, every stone,” he said yesterday, taking a look around the property.

Warmly welcomed back by the two surviving members of the O’Carroll family, Noreen O’Mahony and Florry O’Carroll, they reminisced about carefree days of youth and looked through yellowing photographs taken during Bernd’s stay.

Noreen recalled how Bernd was treated as if he was another member of the family.

“He was the same as any other youngster in the village. He mixed in and played handball, hurling and football with the other boys,” she said.

“There were seven children in our family and most of us were grown up when Bernd came. The post office was also our home and, with so many people coming in and out, you could say he had a wide variety of language teachers.”

Bernd did not have a word of English when he first set foot in Ardfert. He attended the local national school, was confirmed in the village and became an integral part of the family and the local community.

He returned to Germany in 1949, having learnt English and Irish.

He kept in touch with the late Mrs O’Carroll until her death in 1953 but contact was lost soon after that until May this year.

Michael O’Mahony, a grandson of the couple who cared for him, was the person who helped renew the links.

As Bernd looked around Ardfert yesterday, memories came flooding back and he was happy to meet his old school pal Fr Tom Houlihan.

“It’s wonderful to meet with Noreen and Florry after all these years. Before I arrived I still had very clear pictures in my mind’s eye of all the people, places, events and stories from that time,” said Bernd, who now requires the assistance of a walking aid.

A widower since last year, he has two grown-up daughters and spent his life working as a restorer and fine plasterer in churches and old buildings.

Bernd has forgotten much of the English he learned in Ireland as a youngster but he was accompanied yesterday by his sister, Hannellie, who acted as an interpreter.

Among those to meet him was Red Cross area director Charlie Harnett. The charity provided a humanitarian service as well as first aid during the war. That included caring for the many German, Austrian and French children who lost their homes and families in the conflict.