A Christmas present from POWs

 

Wooden run-along Santa Claus, made by a German POW

 

Ship in a bottle, made by German POW

 

Nativity scene made by German POWs

 

Nativity sheep made by German POWs

 

Figures in Church window, possibly made by German POWs

We have recently loaned two items to Biggin Hill Museum. One was a wooden ‘run-along’ toy, made by a German prisoner of war who was held at Springhill Camp just after WWII. The toy, a Santa Claus, was made for a little boy on a local farm where the POW worked.  The other was a ‘ship in a bottle’ which was also a wartime gift made by a POW.

One memory of this time, written twenty years ago, says:
“Most of the prisoners were very industrious, especially if it meant earning a little spending money and most of the local Campden people benefited by the things they made which included very well-made ‘openout’ sewing boxes, wooden bowls, and warm slippers made from plaited, stripped rope.

One real treasure that they left us was a set of Nativity figures for our Church, parts of which we still have but unfortunately, being made of unfired clay, have deteriorated a little although some of the animals were used recently in a scene at a Church festival.  As far as I can remember, the person in charge of this project was one of the Commandants, whose name I only remember as “Peter” – he was friendly with neighbour of ours who was church organist.”

There is no trace of these Nativity figures now – are these the ones? Does anyone remember them?