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Westerliegh Road, Yate : Where PoWs Built Their Own Camps

β€œThe prisoners here are very well treated, and the camp makes an excellent impression in every respect.” This is taken from a report detailing the living conditions of the prisoners of war (PoW’s) who were based in Yate during World War One.

The report made by a Swiss inspector takes note of how the Yate camp could be β€œβ€¦taken as a model of what a prisoners of war camp should be.”

The report also states how the PoW’s contributed to help Yate grow: β€œThe men are employed by three firms, one the Macalpline Government Contracting company, in hut and shed construction and street-making.” For this they were paid a penny an hour. Skilled carpenters and locksmiths received one and a half pence.

So how did the work of the PoW’s affect modern Yate? ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ One’s DIY SOS project manager, Mark Millar visits the site of the Yate PoW camp with Local historian David Hardill.

Location: Westerliegh Road, Yate, Bristol BS37 5PQ
Image: The entrance to the PoW camp in 1917

Release date:

Duration:

6 minutes

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