The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were heavily engaged in the early months of the First World War, particularly during the retreat from Mons. By late 1914, over 600 men from the regiment had been captured and were being held in various Prisoner of War (POW) camps all over Germany.
This work of the Help Society was all done by voluntary staff. Apart from the packers, there were 12 full-time clerical workers, as well as label and postcard writers, all eager to support the 1,100 Loyal North Lancashire Prisoners of War.
Local men were imprisoned at various camps throughout Germany including at the Rennbahn (meaning racetrack) camp in Munster, built in 1914 and first occupied by French POWs in 1915. This was located on what is now Hammerstrasse, between the city and village of Hiltrup.
At the end of the war the returning POWs were not forgotten and, on 28 January 1919, more than 650 repatriated Loyal North Lancashire Prisoners of War were honoured with a meal and reception at the Town Hall.
Glossary
Committee - working group or team
Honoured - respected
Initially - at the start
Intercepted - stop
Journal - magazine
Mons - first big battle of WWI
Regulations - rules
Repatriated - send back
Sketches - a quick drawing or view
Voluntary - unpaid, charitable