Escape equipment, Compass

Tin of 'Armour tongue' (and its escape-related contents) associated with the First World War experiences of Captain J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany The tin is that referred to in the 'code letter' of 8th October 1918 held in the Department of Documents, a copy of which is on display. This letter was received by Captain J W Shaw in Holzminden on 20 November 1918, however the tin (and its useful contents) reached Holland after the 11 November 1918 (Armistice), and was therefore returned by the authorities, as parcels for prisoners of war then being held up. It was returned the sender -his mother at Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. She had originally received it from the code source in the first place in order to send it on to him in ordinary parcels of food. Tins of Halford's Curry Powder and other commercial brands had been used for the same purpose since January 1918. In this particular tin a few of the compasses had been taken out, otherwise the contents are untouched, as packed. It also contains 2 wire-cutters, 1 lead weight to conform to the stated product contents weight, and sets of ordnance maps (2 to the set) from Holzminden to the Dutch frontier. The list of Officers from whom they are intended is also included. During the First World War Major Shaw served with 2nd King Edward's Horse, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Royal Flying Corps. He was taken prisoner at Messines in 1917 and held at Freiburg. He escaped from this camp and when recaptured was imprisoned in Holzminden POW camp. While there he assisted in the construction of the famous 'Holzminden Tunnel' through which 29 officers escaped. Major Shaw was the 31st in the queue and the tunnel subsided and collapsed on the man in front. During the Second World War he served as Assistant Military Liaison Officer, No 6 (Southern) Region, Reading December 1939-August 1945.

See file for history of Shaw's capture and escape attempts. These items sent via Holland but had not arrived by end of war. One map (Railway map of Germany 1:2,200,000, black and white) has been taken out of tin and partly unfolded. (Compasses not displayed -in MS/A Floor/A23/Radioactive materials store). Issued to Exhibitions for Great Escapes wef 2/Aug/2004 and returned December 2006.

tin & maps & wire cutters (2) & compasses (5) & weight. 'Armour' brand tongue tin tongue containing escape kit: maps, two wire-cutters, five compasses and weight for disguise; note that one of the maps (Railway map of Germany 1:2,200,000, black and white) has been removed from the tin and partly unfolded.