Dunmow Working POW Camp
Dunmow Camp was established in the Union Workhouse to accommodate German prisoners who would work on farms in the Dunmow area in the summer of 1917.
Initially there were 100 POW at the camp but in October 1917 25 women were moved from Dunmow Workhouse to Maldon Workhouse which enable the whole southern end of the workhouse to be used for POW accommodation bringing capacity to 165. Further changes including closure of the Workhouse infirmary eventually brought the capacity to 242. The Commandant at this time was Lt MacKinnon.
At Christmas 1917 the German POW observed Christmas in German fashion with fare being prepared by their own cooks. On Christmas Day they sang carols and on Boxing Day held a smoking concert.
By May 1918 it was reported that the German prisoners who have been doing farm work in the Dunmow area have become very slack and unruly. Farmers say that if they are set to work at hoeing they do as much damage as they can. These men have become much worse since the beginning of the present German offensive.
In June 1918 the workhouse management received reports of considerable damage caused by the German POW. The prisoners jumped about the premises, played football on Sundays, trampled down flower beds, scaled walls, climbed on the rood of the workhouse and crawled about like cats and generally did a lot of damage. Two footballs were confiscated on Sunday, in order to stop play and objection was taken with the POW saying that there was no right to do this. They War Office was contacted for advice.
At Christmas 1918 the German POW were given two days holiday from work on the farms. They decorated a large Christmas tree and around this they sang Christmas carols on Christmas night. Father Field RC held a service for the Germans in the morning.
On 2 May 1919 , Josef Labus, 30 yrs a German POW from Dunmow Camp appeared before Dunmow Magistrates charged with assault on Mrs Annie Harvey of Tingates Farm, Boxted.
Mrs Harvey was going to Thaxted for shopping and was near Broadfans Farm when she was approached by Labus who put his arm around her and pulled her to him. She threatened to report him and he let her go.
Later that day with Police Officers she went to the farm and picked out Labus from the three German POW's working there.
Pte Fred Cooper RWKR who was the guard said that he Germans were cleaning the Chelmer River which ran through the farm when Labus left them to dig a hole.
Captain McKinnon, Commandant of Dunmow Camp said that Labus had previously one small offence recorded against him.
Labus was found guilty and sentenced to 5 weeks hard labour at Ipswich Prison.
30 August 1917 - Dunmow
One man ran off when working on a farm. He was recaptured 3 days later at Gt Leighs
2 February 1918 - Dunmow Workhouse
Two of the German Prisoners of War who are in barracks at Dunmow Workhouse to perform agricultural work on the farms at Dunmow. made their escape at night.
The left the camp and made a dash across the fields adjoining the workhouse.
Their escape was spotted and the alarm was raised and a search by officers of the Essex Constabulary began.
The men were recaptured not far from the camp by the police and returned.
