Camp 30 was originally built in the pre-WWII era as a school for "errant" boys, housing approximately 300. Surrounded by farms, it seemed the perfect place to turn troublesome young boys into responsible adults. However, fate had something else in mind for these idyllic grounds.



The camp served as home to German army officer POW's from the Afrika Korps, fliers from the Luftwaffe, and Kriegsmarine officers. The new occupants were transferred from other POW camps at Neys, Fort Henry, Gravenhurst and Britain. In June 1942, the prisoner count was 487 officers, 21 midshipmen, and 135 other men of various rank.



My intent with this book of photographs is to give the feeling of actually walking around the camp shortly after it was abandoned as a POW facility. Therefore I have presented the images in black & white. Trying to create a nostalgic, gritty film effect. I hope you enjoy, and get a sense of how things might have been at CAMP30 over 70 years ago.



Steve Nelson