Helena Bryndzej Studdert

No Bed of Roses Helena Bryndzej Studdert

"And then came a very, very sad day for me... 17 April 1942".

In no bed of roses, Teo speaks his story of being taken from his Polish village and forced into labour in Germany during World War II. He recalls the hardship, longing for home and perplexity of having his life turned upside down.

At fifteen, he struggles to cope with work, hunger and cold. He fails in an attempt to go home, sees the Allied Forces advance and at the end of the war, decides he cannot return to Poland, so he emigrates to Australia.

Often the history of everyday ordinary people is lost. This engaging oral narrative is part of Australia's shared history. Told with an endearing innocence and subjective humour, Teo's account will resonate for all Australians and for the many displaced persons and refugees who have made Australia their home.