German Prisoners of War Band, Brocton Camp, Cannock Chase

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Date:1917 - 1919 (c.)

Description:The German PoWs were kept busy with work but were also allowed time for relaxation and entertainment. The PoW Camp personnel provided numerous trades such as dentistry, tailoring, watch making, shoemakers, printers (they published their own weekly camp news), bookbinding, and carpenters. They were able to be maintain their own huts and keep busy despite some of them having to wait over two years before being repatriated. Many were probably glad not to be sent back to the horrors of the Western Front. There were few recorded escape attempts and those that did get out were captured and returned. When the Spanish Flu arrived at the Camp in 1918 many of the POW's succumbed to the deadly pandemic and the Band probably played at their funerals.

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Donor ref:13_065r (215/36500)

Source: Mr Jake Whitehouse

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