These are two of the letters my father, Lance Cpl Miles Partrige, sent to his sister Margaret from Stalag XX1D Posen, Poland. He had been taken prisoner in France in June 1940 and returned to England in 1945 after walking to the British Lines from Poland. One of the letters refer to photos being included – they must have been the ones included in the article in the local Cannock Advertiser newspaper (also included).
Transcript:
Cannock Advertiser cutting:
Saturday, June 5, 1943
Headline: LIFE IN PRISON CAMP
Captions for Photos:
Top: L/Cpl. MILES PARTRIGE (CENTRE) AND HIS TWO PALS
Middle: HOLDING THEIR CHURCH SERVICE
Bottom right: PANTOMIME SCENE
The photographs reproduced here have been sent to Mr. and Mrs. M. Partrige, of 4 Gorsey-lane, Cannock, by their son, L/Cpl. Miles W. C. Partrige, Royal Engineers, who was taken prisoner by the Germans in June, 1940, and is now at Stalag XXID, Posen, Poland.
They give a glimpse of both grave and gay moments in the life of a war prisoner and they suggest too that the British soldier in captivity is losing neither his faith nor his reputation for making the best of a bad job.
The top picture is of L/Cpl. Partrige and two pals. They are three “sharers,” and take it in turns to do the cooking, making the most of the goods sent out in the Red Cross parcels.
The other pictures are taken one during a church service and the other at a pantomime produced at Christmas. L/Cpl. Partrige in letters to his parents has stated that the prisoners hold church services, including a Harvest Thanksgiving “as seeds are sent by the Red Cross.” He writes that he cannot speak too highly of the Red Cross and hopes that all connected with this organisation realise how much the prisoners appreciate their work.
Commenting on the pantomime scene he assures his parents that the “principal girl” is a man.
In other letters he describes how a camp band has been formed, races and football matches arranged, and plays produced, all in a determined effort to make the best of things. Although he has expressed a longing for a walk on Cannock Chase he feels that the experiences of the last three years will make him much more broad-minded.
With him in the camp are two other Chase men, one from Bridgtown and the other from Chadsmoor.
L/Cpl. Partrige, who is twenty-four years of age, joined up in July, 1939, previously being articled to Mr. J. T. H. Hall (formerly Cannock rural district sanitary inspector).
Letter 1:
1st July 1943
Dear Margaret and Geof. Looking back I find that I haven’t written to you for quite a long-time, I’m very sorry but nowadays I have a big demand for my letters and cards and I am sure that you see all my letters to home and so won’t mind too much. There’s Phyllis in Kent, Lucia in France, Betty at Hednesford, Nora at Rotherham and Joan at Birmingham, and of course the old folks at home, the family and relations. I am glad that the young-ladies mentioned cannot compare their letters from me as they might find a remarkable similarity in them. Still ‘Who Cares’ I’m free and easy and don’t give two hoots anyway.
[unclear] you’ve bought a tandem with a seat on the back, [unclear] it time you had a side-car as well. FLASH – NEWS ITEM. It has now been decided by the sub-committee that you have definitely won the christening-cup, as the third contestant has withdrawn due to (a technical ‘itch) circumstances beyond his control. Please convey this information to everyone concerned. How’s Anne? Just as well as ever I hope. Tell her her Uncle Miles often thinks of her. Two years old eh! How time flys. The one photograph is of the dungeon with ‘Joey’ and ‘Jacko’, and ‘Pop’ Smith as the Lord High Executioner. The other is Widow Twanky (behind the mangle) and her cronies. With all the best to you all, Love Miles.
Letter 2:
4th June 1944
My dear Margaret & [unclear]. I’ve not received any letters for 6 or 8 weeks and so heaven knows how I am going to fill this. I received a 500 parcel of Players from you last week – thanks very much indeed. Don’t know how long it was on the way – since last year I think.
I hope that you are getting regular news of George and that he is fit and well. Anne must be getting quite a big girl – soon be going to school. What a change I shall see in the family when I get home.
I’ve just been thinking that it would be a good idea for you and Geo. to take a house on the South Coast – after the war I mean – then we would have Joan & [unclear] in the North and you in the South, making a couple of fine holiday homes for me and I can assure you that I shall need them.
Have you heard anything of Phil lately? I’m still very interested and no one seems to give me any news of her – I wish you would. The old ending to a letter ‘It won’t be long now’ is rather worn out and so I’ll just say. All the very best.
Love, Miles
