WOUNDED FRENCHMEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1942, Page 3

WOUNDED FRENCHMEN

TRAINING FOR AFTER-WAR ACTIVITY. Fighting French soldiers who have been wounded beyond hope of returning to the firing line are being taught trades to fit them for the after-war. For this purpose General de Gaulle has created the Centre de Re-education Professionelle de la France Libre, at Finedon, Wellingborough, Northants. Care has been taken in the choice of trades to be taught to these mutilated Fighting French soldiers. All the semispecialised labour occupations have been eliminated, because of fear mat they are likely to be overcrowded. The artisanal trades have been chosen, in which the Frenchman can give play to his natural gifts. At the centre, 32 trades are being taught. Just as the Huguenots, obliged to leave their country, brought many trades with them, the Fighting French have specialists among their ranks in various crafts. An important place in the training is given to art trades, including tapestry weaving, mosaics, stained glass, photographic work, sculpture, designing, interior decoration, etc. An attempt is to be made to set up a pottery workshop to turn out specially | designed pottery manufactured by the Fighting French volunteers during their stay in England. This may well become one of the treasures collectors will seek after when this war is forgotten and France is once more free.