Summary : A Second World War prisoner of war camp at Craigside, officially known as Working Camp 93. Laid out on requisitioned farmland, the camp was designed to house low security risk POWs. At first a few tents were put up on the eight acre site but when the first Italian prisoners captured in North Africa arrived they helped to erect a purpose built camp. This was established by January 1943 and consisted of around 50-55 buildings (many prefabricated). In September 1944, most of the Italians had dispersed to hostels and farms to make way for 716 German prisoners identified as low risk. German POWs were gradually repatriated from late 1946 but eight were granted civilian status in Britain by August 1947 with 34 waiting to be considered. The camp was then briefly used to house Polish refugees and as a police hostel. After the camp was returned to private ownership it was used for agricultural purposes; storage, poultry sheds and recently as a market garden. The camp retains 49 buildings as they stood in June 1946. There are 47 Ministry of War Supply Standard Huts and two smaller buildings, all retaining their roofs and most of their windows and doors. The camp was laid out either side of a concrete access road that runs south from the main road. A gridwork of concrete paths extends from this road and covers the camp. The outer fence appears to have been only chest high and the building located furthest down the hill may have been used as a chapel. The prisoner of war camp is visible on air photographs. |
More information : World War II prisoner of war camp at Craigside located 1 kilometre north of Harperley Hall. Originally officially known as Working Camp 93, Harperley Camp designed to house low security risk prisoners who were employed locally in agriculture. The site includes 49 buildings in various conditions of repair and associated buried remains.
Established in January 1943 to house Italian Prisoners of War captured in North Africa. On 22 September 1944 these were dispersed to hostels and farms to make way for 716 Germans. The number fluctuated between 426 and 899. The camp had its own monthly newspaper called `Der Quell' and a former professional musician called Enz who led a camp orchestra. They had regular classes in English, physics, Latin and Russian taught manily by the PoWs themselves. They were increasingly allowed to attend meetings and events outside the camp including use of Durham University Library and political studies lectures at Crook Workers Educational Association. German PoWs were gradually repatriated from late 1946 but 8 were granted civilian status in Britain by August 1947 with 34 waiting to be considered. Morale at the camp was good and in part through the liberal outlook of Lt Col Stobart the British Camp Commandant and the attitude of the local population.
The monument includes the PoW and guards' compounds which retains over 85% of buildings as they stood in June 1946. There are 47 Ministry of War Supply Standard Huts and 2 smaller buildings which retain their roofs and most of their doors and windows. There are also features such as drains, brick built annexes and connecting passages. The camp is laid out either side of a concrete access road that runs south from the main road. A gridwork of concrete paths extends from this road and covers the camp. The outer fence appears to have only been chest high. A building located furthest down the hill may have been used as a chapel. Scheduled.(1)
The World War II prisoner of war camp, described by the above authority is visible on air photographs. Military buildings and miltiary roads are clearly visible surviving as structures and extant buildings. Three buildings visible on the earliest 1957 RAF vertical photography have been destroyed. (2)
A Second World War prisoner of war camp at Fir Tree, Crook (NZ 1269 3553), offically known as Camp 93. This was a purpose-built, standard type camp. Common buildings and facilities at standard type camps included water towers, offices, officer's mess, a canteen, guard rooms, barrack huts, ablution blocks, cell blocks, a camp reception station (medical facility/hospital), a cookhouse, dining rooms, recreation rooms and living huts or tents. It functioned as a work camp for German prisoners. (3)
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