Henley Archaeological and Historical Group

ON February 6, the Henley Archaeological and Historical Group was given an entertaining and informative presentation entitled “Gentlemen Danes — the story of Danish POWs in Reading 1807-1814” by John Nixon, who has a life long connection with Denmark.

At the start of the Napoleonic wars, what was the single country of Denmark-Norway was neutral and trading profitably with both sides, benefiting from its strategic position at the entrance to the Baltic.

British concerns about the country’s connection with France led Britain to attack Copenhagen and destroy or capture its fleet.

Many prisoners of war, including merchant seamen, were taken and transported to Britain. Most were accommodated in prison hulks but a small number of “gentlemen” — captains, first mates and ships’ boys from high-status families — were housed in “parole towns” around the country, including Reading, which took 206 of them.

These people had to find, and pay for, their own food and lodging, either through their own resources or by working.

They had considerable freedom to move about the town but were supposed to stay within the town limits and to observe a curfew, although in practice they were able to break these conditions.

Seven of the prisoners died while in Reading, while one managed to escape shortly before the remainder were granted their freedom on October 25, 1809.

The prisoners appeared to be happy and welcomed by the locals during their stay, with some marrying local girls and remaining near Reading — perhaps some of their descendants still do? The group’s next meeting will be the annual meeting at the Chantry House in Henley on Tuesday, March 5 at 7.30pm.

This will be accompanied by a presentation by representatives of the River & Rowing Museum and a talk by our committee member Chris Whitehead on “Early Hambleden and the Domesday Book”.

Tony Lynch