These delightfully sensitive portraits of fellow prisoners are believed to have been taken in Camp 59 by Denis Crooks. Denis’ daughter, Maggie Clarke, found the photos among his papers after Denis passed away.

Unfortunately, we do not know the identities of these fellows, but their personalities shine brightly through these photographs.

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The photos in this post are from Maggie Clarke, daughter of Camp 59 British prisoner Denis Crooks.

Denis kept a suitcase—a veritable treasure trove—of letters, newspaper clipping, and photos related to his POW experience.

Maggie explains, “We didn’t find his suitcase full of these letters until after he died nine years ago. We also have some photos which he took of camp life, although as he said, he would have been shot if he had been caught! He must have got to a point where he didn’t care.”

She continues, that the photos “aren’t of brilliant quality as he somehow had them developed in camp! I seem to remember he mentioned bribing one of the guards! Mind you, by reading of some of the inventions he and Bob made, they probably made their own dark-room!”

Bob, of course, is Denis’ close friend and fellow prisoner Robert Dickinson.

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The following letter is from Maggie Clarke, daughter of former Camp 59 prisoner Denis Crooks.

Maggie writes that this letter, “…is a bit of a mystery to us. It was included in with Dad’s letters, but is from someone called Eric who addressed the letter to ‘My dear Folks’ and signed it ‘Your loving son, Eric’. The letter is typed, which I would think is quite unusual but it looks quite old.

“It’s quite a sad story and I would love to find out more, but no idea where to start. As you will see, the letter is dated October 1943 which is when Dad was moved to Stalag IVG in Germany. I’m looking through the letters again to see if I can find any reference to any of the men mentioned, but no luck so far.”

Although the description of the post-armistice camp evacuation matches accounts from other prisoners, the date Eric gives of the escape is the night of September 12, whereas the actual date of the escape from Camp 59 was September 14. It may be that he simply got the date wrong. That Ron and Eric made it to the Allied lines in a little more than one month is impressive.

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This article about Allied prisoners of war was clipped and saved by ex-POW Denis Crooks. Denis’ daughter Maggie Clarke kindly shared it for this site.

Unfortunately, we do not know which newspaper the article is from or the date it was published, although the reference to the fall of Mussolini (July 1943) is helpful in dating it.

PRISONERS SENT TO GERMANY

“Hundreds of Names”

Some hundreds of names have recently been received of prisoners who have arrived in Germany from Italy. Sir James Grigg, the War Minister, said in Parliament today.

It seemed clear that large numbers of such notifications would be received in due course, but he did not know how many.

Sir James, who was replying to Wing Commander Hulbert (Con. Stockport), said there had always been some movement to Germany of prisoners captured in North Africa and more recently in Sicily.

In some cases they were held for a time in transit camps in Italy [and] 2400 prisoners were transferred from Italian camps other than transit camps shortly before the fall of Mussolini.

Still at Large

“A number of British prisoners of war have escaped from Italy to Switzerland and others have reached the Allied lines in the south.” he added. “The next of kin of these prisoners are being informed as soon as names are received.

“Some prisoners may still be at large elsewhere in the country. The protecting Power is doing what is possible to obtain information about our prisoners and to safeguard their interests.

“It is extremely important not to say anything which interferes with the prospects of the final escape of those still at large.”

This photograph was one of several that we believe Denis Crooks took while away during the war.

Denis’ daughter, Maggie Clarke, has shared several photos he took in Camp 59 with me—which I will share here in upcoming posts.

I first assumed this photo was taken within the camp. It appears to be the inside of a storage tent, with bundles of blankets or clothing and a few mess kit items atop wooden stools.

On closer examination, there appears to be at least one rifle propped against the center post. An unattended rifle in a prison camp storage tent seems unlikely. Did Denis take this in North Africa before he was captured?

At any rate, there is something beautiful—and a bit haunting—about this intriguing image.

The following letter was the first one received by Denis Crook’s parents after his capture. Thanks to Maggie Clarke for sharing this letter and the notifications in the previous post.

257879H Sigmn. [Signalman] D. Crooks
Prisoner of War

My Dear Mother and Dad,

I expect by the time you get this letter you will have heard that we are “in the soup”—and thick soup at that! But there’s absolutely no need to worry as I am quite fit and well and so far the life isn’t too bad. We are getting enough food and water and we still have blanket and greatcoat for night-time, so we aren’t badly off. So don’t worry at all as I’m quite OK.

There’s one thing though, and that is the question of underclothes, etc. I lost practically everything when we surrendered and I could do with plenty of shirts, pants, vests, socks, etc. Also of course anything in the way of eats!! I don’t know how long it will take for letters and parcels to reach here from England, but you could send unperishable food, especially of the “filling” variety! Anyway, I think you know my stomach sufficiently well to guess what it needs!! Also any washing gear.

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This notice sent to Denis Crook’s parents from the Army Signal Corps records office in Reeding—dated April 30, 1941—announced that Denis had been missing in action since April 8.

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