Rowrah (Cumbria) working pow camp under Leigh

[Guest knockmurton]

We are busy researching this WW1 camp. Two important questions still require answers. When was it built? Why was it built where it was.

[kenmorrison]

Have you seen this?

https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/WW1/warathome/agriculture.asp

Ken

[bushfighter]

Thanks for that very interesting link Ken.

Harry (a Cumberland & Westmorland man)

[Guest knockmurton]

Thank you for this invaluable information. Are any old photographs available of Rowrah camp? We know of one unfortunate prisoner who was killed whilst working in a local quarry (Now Cumbria Kart Track) has anyone any information at all regarding this camp.

[rickpreston@nasuwt.net]

I an unsure when this camp was built but it was under the direction of Leigh in Lancashire. The camp was very close to a railway line so there was direct contact to Leigh for the supply of POWs. During its development the YMCA built a hut for the POW's as a social centre.

The camp was built to supply labour for the Iron Ore mines in the area. It seem that it was acceptable to have POWs in Iron Ore mines but not in Coal mines ,whether this was due to the relative easy of mining iron or to Trade Union opposition in Coal mines I do not know.

You are quite right there was one death due an industrial accident , he was a Roman Catholic, the other death were all due to influenza. The RC's were buried in the RC church in Frizington whilst the Protestants in the C of E church at Lamplugh. Of course all the bodies were removed in the 1960's to the German Cemetery near Walsall so there is nothing left in either of the graveyards

The camp developed as a centre for the agricultural teams in Cumberland which went out for the work on the farms particularly in 1918 these are covered by kenmorrisons note written by Perriman. He lives in Carlisle and often writes historical articles for the Cumberland News. The work in the Iron Ore Mines continued

When first floated the idea of using POWs on farms there was a degree of hostility. One quote in the Penrith Observer said that he would shoot any German that stepped on to his farm. There was also the fear that POWs would rape and pillage any women they came across! As time went on and the agricultural labour shortage became more serious then need over came prejudice and framers took on the useful and necessary labour. During the period when these agricultural labour gangs went out they slept in tents and had two guards. Food for the POWs was sent to the nearest railway station from Rowrah which was then collected.

I hope this adds to your researches.

Richard

Southwaite, Carlisle.