Catalogue Auction Information

Fine Militaria Auction (11) 04/02/20 10:00 AM Closed

Starts Ending 04/02/20 10:00 AM GMT

Auction Info
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Lot 337Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest

Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest
Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest, the EPNS 1 pint tankard is beautifully engraved with the signatures of the officers interned in the camp at the time of Christmas 1915. The tankard has 21 signatures in total. Engraved to the top is “Donington Hall Weihnachten 1915”. Probably produced by the officers to send home to loved ones, regimental HQ’s or for their captors. Donington Hall is part of Castle Donington. The prisoner of war camp was established here to accommodate captured German officers. This camp achieved a degree of notoriety in view of its relaxed security and the relatively comfortable conditions afforded the officers, one of whom stated that 'the Commandant did everything he could to alleviate our hard lot'. There appeared to be no restrictions on the consumption of alcohol, the prisoners frequented the luxurious rooms of the Hall, were waited on by lesser ranks, and games of football, cricket, tennis and skittles were organised, all of which led to criticism in the press and a debate in the House of Commons. Matters were made worse by the escape of the dashing pilot and adventurer Gunther Pluschow. In July 1915, after watching one of the deer in the surrounding park push its way through the perimeter fence, he and an accomplice, who was later recaptured, did the same and was able to make his way back to Germany via London and the neutral Netherlands. As such he became the only POW to escape from a UK prison camp back to Germany in either world war. Categories: WW1 German Militaria
Estimate:
Lot closed - unsold
Estimate: £200 - £300

 

  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 2
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 3
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 4
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 5
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 6
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 7
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 8
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 9
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 10
  • Historically Interesting Presentation Tankard of Donington Hall Prisoner of War Camp Interest - 11
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