A brief historical presentation of the experiences of foreign POWs in Devon from the Seven Years’ War in 1756, through the Napoleonic Wars of early 1800s, up to the POW camps sited in Devon during the First and Second World Wars.
Michael Lee of Dowrich will speak about Hans who worked on the farm and remained a family friend.
"I chose this topic because of my original interest in the French POWs from the Seven Years’ War and Napoleonic wars who were stationed in the Parole town of Crediton. This part of Devon continued to be used as a base for POWS working on local farms in both the First and Second World Wars.
I think the way a nation conducts war and treats its captives reflects its degree of civilisation and I have been struck by the way that people from Devon, and particularly our part of Mid Devon, have responded to these strangers in their midst. Waging war is a huge strategic operation: winning battles and winning wars is further complicated by the problem of what to do with the captured prisoners of war. Sometimes in history a barbaric necessity has dictated the cry of ‘Take no Prisoners!’ and massacres have occurred of the unfortunate defeated combatants. Long before the Geneva Convention of 1929, a code of honour existed between warring nations, where exchanges of prisoners could take place and that generally POWs should be treated humanely. This was not always practical or possible when the guarding troops were themselves enduring terrible hardships and deprivations. The process of being captured and processed as a POW was a long, hard, dangerous business for all concerned.
So, why Crediton? Simply put, places like Crediton, North Tawton, Tiverton, Okehampton and Tavistock are established market towns with a fairly stable population and are judged to be secure enough to accommodate levels of well-behaved prisoners, who have given their word of honour or ‘Parole’ to observe restrictions in return for limited freedom. Another factor is that these towns often had a good muster roll and were also several miles inland away from escape routes by sea, yet still close enough to ports like Plymouth, Bideford and Ilfracombe for prisoners to be shipped in. Additionally, the surrounding terrain of moors and rural isolation hinder escape attempts. Interestingly, the same towns that were earmarked in the 18th century for holding prisoners continued to be used in the 20th century for the same reasons.
What you are going to see and hear is not academic, although I have carried out lots of research, but I am interested in how events affect real people in our area and I realise that I don’t know everything – and that is where some of you can help with your valuable contributions. I’ve put together a series of sketches of prisoners of war in Devon over 200 years. It’s a look at ordinary people in extraordinary situations living in our towns and working on local farms. . I am so grateful to Michael Lee who will speak about the German POW, Hans, who worked at Dowrich and all the people who’ve contacted me, since the article in the Courier, with their own family recollections of both German and Italian POWs working on local farms, including Mrs Saunders, Dr Jean Shields and Mrs Nunn.
Where possible, I have used archive film footage, newspaper cuttings, paintings and photographs to bring the stories to life. I hope the topic interests you and that you will stay afterwards for tea and home-made biscuits. £2, including refreshments. Please tell your friends and if you have further information, contact me on: 01363 866 668 or email me at: kennerleigh.heritage@gmail.com"
Judi Binks