I keep finding places used as Prisoner of War camps .... thought this one was interesting !! Philberds House, was once the home of Charles II and Nell Gwynn. During World War 1 it was used as as a Prisoner of War camp - this housed over 100 officers and 40 other ranks who acted as their servants. The camp was guarded by Territorials from the Devon Regiment. Early in 1915 the prisoners took to gardening and eventually the adjutant, Captain Armstrong, became suspicious and called in workmen to lay some unneeded drainpipes. While they were digging their picks struck a tunnel eight to twelve yards long and two feet square. It was cased with wood and had pads for elbows to rest on. The Germans had cut through the concrete foundations of a high wall and would probably have escaped had it not been for the adjutant. The house was burnt to the ground recently in a mysterious fire and plans are with the council to build a development of houses on the site. What a shame they are going to build houses there !!
