ARCHIVE: South Lane POW Camp, Widnes, April 09
 

The second half of my South Lane Report, This part concentrates on the POW Camp. Again history on this place is difficult to find, but I do know it existed before the AA Battery behind it, and mainly contained Italian POW's. At the site all that remains of the Camp is a main Warehouse, this would have been filled with Bunk beds (origionally there were 2), and the Tower, which its pourpose still remains a mystery. Some people think that its a water tower, personally I think it would have had a gun positioned on the top to look over the prisioners.

The Tower

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1370.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1450.jpg

The Main Building

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1369.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1368.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1452.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1453.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1445.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1454.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1457.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/CIMG1460.jpg


Unfortunatly before I had chance to go and explore upstairs in the main building, or explore the tower, the local Plod turned up and told me to "Get lost"

I will be returning at some point to have a closer look at the tower.

Tom

Seems this is Camp 290 Penketh Hostel, South Lane, Bold; Lancashire (Is that right?) in the official listings of main camps. Unfortunately it seems satellite work camps were not given their official numbers. I am eyeing up a book on Italian POW camps in the UK so if I get it and then remember I'll give you what info I can.