King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

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Lancaster and The King's Own go to War.

Generously supported by the Sir John Fisher Foundation.

Prisoners of War

From the very first actions of the war British soldiers found themselves as captives of the Germans. Some men of the 1st Battalion arrived in France and within a couple of days their war was over, held as prisoners of war from 26th August 1914 until their release at the end of 1918.

Some of those captured had been wounded and left behind as the British army withdrew, others were just simply unlucky and in the wrong place at the wrong time.


Private Richard Wilkinson, number 7122, 1st Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, landed in France on 23rd August 1914 and was captured at Ligny on 27th August.

On his release he gave a statement on his treatment by the Germans:

"Journey 27th August to 9th September 1914.
The journey to Germany took five days; marched to Mons then trained to Sennelager. During the train journey, lasting 48 hours, we were given dry bread to eat, nothing to drink. There were German wounded in the same train; these were given any attention, but the wounded British were given nothing by the Red Cross.
Sennelager 2nd September 1914 – June 1916.
Taken to Sennelager, Westphalia, arriving the 2nd September 1914.
About 800 prisoners (British), some 4,000 French.
For the first week we lay in the open – no coverings. Then up to December we were placed in tents. Afterwards in huts. In the hut there were 60 men, being very crowded. The heating was insufficient. There was a horse trough, for washing only – in winter the water being usually frozen. The sanitary arrangements were fairly good. We were employed daily on clearing of wood to make ground fit for cultivation, also the erection of railway lines. No payment for work. There were no attempts to force us to make munitions.
The food supplied by the Germans was very bad. The canteen was closed to the British except for the first week; after the first week, the French were only allowed in the canteen. The packages from England arrived well.
There was no clothing issued before the end of November 1914. Many soldiers were in rags. In the years 1915 and 1916 the clothing arrangements were good. Articles when worn out could be exchanged.
No time for recreation, the working hours being 6 a.m. to 6 p.m."


After the war Private Wilkinson returned home to 16 Norfolk Street, Skerton, Lancaster.

During the war the King’s Own Prisoner of War Care Committee and many individuals, like Mrs Owtram and Mrs Cowper, sent parcels containing, food, clothes and general comforts for the wellbeing of the prisoners.

Letter from Private Nicholas Goulding, number 5906, of the 1st Battalion, King’s Own. Private Goulding went overseas on 23rd August 1914, his home address was 31 Heathfield Street, Manchester, and he was clearly appreciative of the parcels sent to him by Mrs Owtram of Newlands Hall, near Lancaster.
KO2490/124

The Convent
Grayshott
Hindhead
Surrey
25 Feb 1917
Ave Maria

Dear Madame,
Perhaps you will feel a little astonished at receiving a letter from a person you do not know but I write on behalf of my poor brother Private Nicholas Goulding who is unhappily a prisoner of war in Germany. To thank you for the great kindness you have shown him by sending so many welcome parcels. He felt his inability to thank you himself and asks me to do so in his name. He cannot find words to express the gratitude he owes you and I must confess I too am at a loss to express my admiration and sincere gratitude at your constant generosity, as I am a religious I cannot assist him in any material way but I have often asked our Divine Lord to inspire some kind friend to do this act of mercy for me you are the kind friend dear Madame and I will consider it my sacred duty to pray very specially for you ever day for charity is a bond which knits together all hearts as one. We are all the children of the same Lord. Whatsoever ye do to the least of my little ones ye have done it units me (these are his words). Part of our Convent is turned into a small military hospital containing twenty five beds which has been constantly occupied since the beginning of the war. The good aim of Grayshott very quickly restores them to health and we are very happy to do all in our power to help our men who have sacrificed all for the defence of our County accept the assurance of my deepest gratitude.
Believe me,
Yours sincerely,
Sister Matilda Goulding.

These three photographs are from postcards sent to Mrs Cowper, wife of a King’s Own officer, who sent parcels to the prisoners of war.

Prisoners of War, left to right, Lance Corporal Joseph Brown, number 6228, Sergeant John Bamford, number 8503, and Lance Corporal William Charles Bloxham, number 10225, seated Corporal Jabez Pendlebury, number 10815. All of the 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment who arrived in France on 23rd August 1914 and were taken prisoner shortly afterwards.
Accession Number KO2490/345

Group of King's Own Prisoners of War. This postcard was sent by Private Nicholas Goulding, number 5906, of the 1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, who was taken prisoner a few days after he arrived in France on 23rd August 1914.
Accession Number KO2490/347

Group of Prisoners of War. The sign reads: "Campaigners, 65 South Africa Medals, Total Service 676 Years, Total Age 1354 Years, Friedrichsfeld, June 1916".
Accession Number KO2490/346

Whilst many prisoners of war were not released until November 1918, those who were badly wounded and unable to serve again were sent home via Holland or Switzerland. Those who were slightly wounded and could possibly serve were interned in Switzerland, so whilst no longer held in a German camp, they were not at home.

Soldiers of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment at Mürren, Switzerland, 1916.
Accession Number: KO2725/02

Soldiers of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster at Mürren, Switzerland. The Eiger is in the background.
Accession Number: KO0481/02

Happy New Year card, January 1917, showing the Hotel Eiger, Mürren, Switzerland, where internees were accommodated.
Accession Number: KO2725/05
 

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.