Prisoners of War

One of the more forgotten casualties of war, are those taken prisoner. During the First World War, there were over seven million prisoners of war, of which 2,400,000 were held in Germany and 167,603 of these were British. Despite the 1906 Geneva Convention, which laid down basic conditions for prisoners of war, most nation’s were unprepared when the First World War began. 
Being captured initially relied on the goodwill of the enemy to take prisoners. Many prisoners were shot or died being transported behind enemy lines. Conditions of prison camps varied considerably. There were often shortages of necessities, medical attention and things to do, and prisoners died of mistreatment, starvation and disease. While conditions for prisoners on the Western Front, were more tolerable, on the Eastern Front, matters were less than good. Forced marches and crowded railway journeys, preceded years in camps where disease, poor diet and inadequate medical facilities prevailed. The Allied blockade caused severe food shortages for Germany, and when the German harvests failed in 1917, prisoners of war inevitably suffered.
More British troops were captured during the final German Offensive in March 1918, than in all the previous months and years put together. Until the battle of Cambrai in November 1917, there were 40,000 British officers and other ranks in German hands. Cambrai added 9,000 prisoners to the total; and then during March 1918, when the Allies came very close to defeat, another 100,000 were taken. When the Armistice was signed on 11th November 1918, there were 6,577 British officers and 161,026 other ranks in German prison camps. In addition, there were more than 10,000 Commonwealth soldiers, nearly 1,100 officers and ratings of the Royal Navy and 3,073 from the Royal Naval Division in captivity. 
Hull was affectionately known as the ‘Home to Blighty’ and received more than 80,000 repatriated Prisoners of War through its ports. Hull established many groups to receive and support prisoners of war. For example, the residents of Freehold Street, in Hull, baked bread for prisoners and distributed parcels from ‘Peel House’ on Spring Bank. The following are some articles from the Times: 
RECEPTION AT HULL – The Times  17th November 1918
“British prisoners of war from Germany, numbering about 1,700, and including many from Holland, received a hearty welcome when they landed at the Continental riverside quay, Hull, this morning from the steamships Archangel and Stockport. Huge crowds gathered from early morning to greet the prisoners, and a small flight of aeroplanes circled over the ships as they were disembarked at 9.45. Major-General von Donop, in command of the Humber garrison, read the message from the King, which was received with great cheering. General von Donop said he would convey their response to the message to his Majesty. The police band played “See the Conquering Hero Comes,” “Home, sweet Home,” and “Auld Lang Syne….Complete arrangements had been made at Hull for the comfort of the men, by a band of women workers from Peel House, the depot for the sending of provisions to prisoners of war, and, in addition to refreshment, each man was handed a parcel of cigarettes, sweetmeats, and biscuits. The Lord Mayor was unable to be present, as he was attending a  Thanksgiving service. The men, with the exception of a few belonging to Hull, were immediately taken by special train to Ripon Camp, whence they will be distributed to their homes. The address of the camp is:- Repatriated Prisoners of War Reception Camp, Ripon South. About 1,500 men arrived by the two boats, and two other boats will arrive to-day.”
MORE BRITISH PRISONERS HOME – CORPORAL GARFORTH, V.C., AT HULL – The Times, Tuesday 19th November 1918“Two vessels landed over 2,000 repatriated British prisoners of war from Holland at Hull yesterday. Among the number were 250 officers, including airmen. There were enthusiastic scenes on the quay-side, where the men were met by MAJOR-GENERAL SIR STANLEY VON DONOP, commanding the Humber garrison, who delivered the King’s message of welcome. The men cheered lustily, and sang the National Anthem. Among them was Corporal, Charles Ernest Garforth, V.C., 15th Hussars, who went to France with the original Expeditionary Force in August, 1914, and was taken prisoner on October 13 the same year.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_prisoners_of_war_in_Germany
Thank you to Sid Patterson, for the above photograph of his grandfather, Matthew Patterson – D Company, of the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. He was wounded in the face at the Somme and in the right thigh at Paschendaele. He was also gassed, receiving a war pension as a result of his wounds, until his death in 1970. He was captured on the 25th of April 1918 at the second battle of Kemmel, and imprisoned at Friedrichsfeld. On receiving a telegram that he was missing, his mother collapsed and died of a cerebral haemorrhage. He had this photo taken at Newcastle Upon Tyne on his release. You will note that he is wearing a black arm band in remembrance of his mother.
 Hundreds of Hull men were captured during the First World War. Here are some of their stories.