A
collection of stories, photos, art and information on Stalag Luft I
If you are a former Prisoner of War or a next of
kin of a POW, we invite you to sign and leave your email address so others that
come may find you. Please mention camp, compound, barracks and room numbers if
possible.
Father Michael R. Charlton - A
British captain and Roman Catholic priest (see photo below)
Father T. J. Lynch - A British captain and Roman Catholic priest
Rev. H.A.M. Mitchell - A British captain and Presbyterian minister,
from Danedin, New Zealand.
.
Rev. T. A. Douglas - A British captain from South Africa and Methodist minister.
Rev. R. Drake-Brockman - Church of England chaplain
Rev. J. Hall - Roman Catholic Chaplain (Civil-Internee)
Padre Clark - High Church of England - North II Compound
Religious Services at Stalag Luft I
After the morning roll call, men of the Catholic faith were most
fortunate to be able to attend daily Mass in the compound. There
were two Catholic priests in Stalag Luft I, one captured at Dunkirk
during the brilliant retreat of the British Army and the other captured
in Italy. A Lutheran pastor had been captured in France.
Father Charlton, a red-headed, fiery Scotsman, is a man I shall
always remember-- as one remembers the few outstanding persons whose
acquaintance is of great benefit in a normal lifetime. His
untiring efforts to bring the Mass to us under the most difficult
circumstances, and his constant fight against German abuse an neglect,
were inspiring to all of uw. Father Charlton's numerous lectures
on the many phases of theology and Catholicism surpassed anything I have
ever heard. Perhaps it was because I was more attentive and more
interested than I had ever been before, but the personality and wisdom
of this little Scottish priest claimed our admiration.
Morning Mass was held in an unheated, dirty supply room, using a
table for an altar and an Army blanked for an altar cloth. The
wine, Hosts, and vestments were supplied by the Bishop of the Berlin
Diocese. On some mornings it was so cold and damp in our
improvised chapel that the padre's hands would be blue before the Mass
was half completed. As the strange congregation, kneeling on the
bare floor, offered up their prayers, wisps of vapor floated upward to
the damp ceiling. In all my life, I have never appreciated the
Sacrifice of the Holy Mass more than I did on those daily visits to that
bleak little chapel.
From "Journey to a Star" by William G.
Blum
A Prisoner's Prayer
Oh God, my creator and protector, I know
that thou art near me; and so I adore thee with body and soul and with
complete submission to thy will. Thou has saved me from death
which hast over taken my companions and has permitted me to be a
prisoner. I will bear patiently and hopefully, for the love of
thee, all the difficulties of my state. Bless me and my companions
here. Grant us to live in peace, comforting and consoling one
another with fraternal love and charity. Bless my family who are far
away, my friends, and all I love. Watch over and protect my
country, and my comrades in arms. Give me peace and protect me
from melancholy and despair. Above all keep me from offending
thee, my God. I thank thee for all the blessings and I will try to
serve thee as the Bible has told us "Rejoicing in hope - patient in
tribulation - instant in prayer". Amen
Kriegies Scripture
Thus Saith The Lord: Refrain thy voice from weeping and
thine eyes from tears, for thy work shall be rewarded; and they shall
return from the land of the enemy.
Jer 31, 16
John A. Barrett's homemade Mass Book while a POW at
Stalag Luft I
"On Sunday morning we had church services for those of us
that were close to the church. We had an English Seminary
student in our group who was our minister and it helped to lift
our spirits to hear the words from the Bible to fill the voids
in our lives."
Charles Reed Holden
Stalag Luft I POW - South Compound
"The religious activities of our compound were in
charge of Padre Clark. He had our services every Sunday
afternoon. On Christmas there was a special carol service.
Padre Clark was the resident padre and had charge of the service
every second Sunday. Clark was English and a member of the High
Church of England. On the odd Sundays Padre Clark was replaced
by either Padre Mitchell or Douglas. Mitchell was the dean of
the three. He was from Danedin, New Zealand and had been a
Presbyterian minister before the war. Douglas was from South
Africa and had been a Baptist minister. The
facilities were not good and service was often held in a
barracks hallway, but we did have religious services that were
faithfully attended"
