Soldiering on in times of great trouble

The Dressmaker and the Hidden Soldier by Doug Gold, Allen & Unwin, $37 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

The Dressmaker and the Hidden Soldier is based on a true story of both wartime bravery, horror and fortitude shown by so many people. It is based on the 64-page memoir that Peter Blunden wrote after the war and and a short memoir he wrote on his wife Thalia’s behalf. He has also drawn on information provided by their children, Nora and Pepe.

On the way to a prison of war camp Peter Blunden, a New Zealand soldier, along with Patrick Minogue, another New Zealand soldier make a courageous jump from the moving train. They were seen by the guards and the train was halted. Peter and Patrick somehow managed to avoid the rain of bullets and the Dobermans and the train continued without them. Patrick had escaped previously and had some idea where they could get help. Their plan would halve been to get through to Turkey.

After some rebuffs and some help they made it to Tasoula’s dressmaking business where Patrick had once before found help. Behind Tasoula’s business and living premises she had a secret room where she had hidden several escapees and helped them through safe houses to Turkey.

Tasoula’s teenage son Thanassis was a willing conspirator. Tasoula’s employees had no idea what was going on behind closed doors, but her latest employee Thalia began to suspect there more going on.

However, her heart was in the right place and she became a willing participant, not only anxious to help, but becoming more and more attracted to Peter who was busy learning Greek.

Two main reasons for this, to help with his escape plan, but essentially now to be able to communicate with Thalia.

The Dressmaker and the Hidden Soldier

is non-fiction and Gold has done his research.

He not only uses the accounts from the family, but has visited Greece.

As part of his research he visited Thessaloniki and saw for himself where much in the story occurred as well visiting the barbaric

Heptapyrgion prison. As well as relying on the memoirs from Peter Thania and Thanisis, Gold relied on eye witness accounts of life in Heptapyrigion Prison.

What this book really does so well is reminding us once again not only of the bravery of so many people, but the horrendous conditions suffered by so many, the near starving of the general population, the fear and hatred for the Nazi aggressors and because of the political turmoil Greece was experiencing the uncertainty of being able to rely on many of their fellow countrymen.

Peter and Thalia in the end were a few of the lucky ones.

I would like to have had more of Thalia’s story especially in her new life. Perhaps another book.

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