York Prisoners of War

York Prisoner of War roll of honour

The names on this list are from a roll of prisoners of war in the York City Archives, reference number 1378/1. The roll is titled “Ex-Prisoners of War” and consists of ten pages of names. The information is provided in six columns as follows, “Name”, “Address”, “No., Rank, Unit and Corps.”, “Prisoner From – To, Country in Which Imprisoned”, “Martial Condition” and “Date when leave expires”. Not all of the entries had details recorded in each column. The roll is not in alphabetical order; however the names are presented in alphabetical order. The roll contains over 330 names.

The information has been transcribed and is displayed in the following format:

Briggs, Mathew Richard
64747, Private 23rd Northumberland Fusiliers. Captured 11th April 1918 and repatriated on 1st December 1918, captive in Germany. Mathew Briggs was a single man, from 12 Markham Crescent. Leave expires 10th Febuary 1919.

The names were collected following an announcement in the Yorkshire Herald that a civic reception would be held for returned Prisoners of War and their families. On 24th January 1919 the following was published:

“Over 160 York soldiers, who have been prisoners of war in enemy countries, have already registered their names at the Town Clerk’s office in the Guildhall, York, and within a few days they and their wives, or lady friends, will receive invitations to a reception, tea and entertainment which the Lord Mayor is arranging in their honour. The list of prisoners will form a valued city record, and any who have not yet registered should do so at once.”

A second article was published on 27th January 1919:

“Extended Leave for York Prisoners of War

In all cases where the leave of York repatriated prisoners of war expires before Thursday, February 6th, the date of the civic entertainment of these men, the military authorities have arranged to extend the leave. Those who have registered their names at the Guildhall have automatically had their leave extended and need take no action on their own account, but there may be some who have failed to register their names because their furlough will expire before February 6th. In these cases registration should be effected at once, and the names will sent to the military by the Lord Mayor for leave extension. By the kindness of Mr Wm. Peacock the repatriated men and their wives or sweethearts will enjoy a matinee performance at the Opera House and Empire on February 6th, and subsequently they will be guests of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the Guildhall where a substantial tea will be served.”

The civic reception was duly held on 6th February 1919 and reported in the Yorkshire Herald on 7th February.