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Etherstone Street - Leigh POW Camp

In 1914 the shell of the Lilford Weaving Company’s new mill at the bottom of Etherstone Street was requisitioned by the War Office and converted into a camp to accommodate 2,000 German and Austrian 1st World War prisoners. The National Reservists soldiers guarding them were housed in cottages built for the mill workers. The field surrounding the mill was protected by an electrified barbed wire fence and patrolled by sentries with fixed bayonets.

 

The prisoners arrived at Leigh Station in February 1915 and drew large and curious crowds on their march to the camp. The camp itself was very well equipped with sleeping quarters, a canteen and a large exercise area. There were several unsuccessful escape attempts but on the 30th May 1915, Friedrich Wilhelm Karl Schmidt, aged 25 was shot on the roof of the camp. He and six other prisoners who died of illness were interred in Leigh Cemetery then later exhumed and transferred to the German War Cemetery at Cannock Chase.

 

The camp closed in 1919 and the building became known locally as Etherstone Mill. Most local people today are unaware that there even was a POW camp in Leigh. We will now return to the Old Market Place for a slightly more upbeat conclusion to our tour.

 

Image of German prisoners of war at Leigh POW Camp.

 

Click here for a map for this part of this tour.