WWII Artefact Donation at Eden Camp
by Northern Life
The items had once belonged to Albert Edward Mildwater
Eden Camp, the former Second World War prisoner-of-war camp, is honoured to have received a remarkable donation of a collection of artefacts that beautifully capture the human connections formed at camp during the Second World War.
The donor was Nick Mildwater, who found WWII items among his late grandfather’s belongings. After searching online, he traced the engraving back to Eden Camp.
The items had once belonged to Albert Edward Mildwater, Nick’s grandfather, who was stationed at Eden Camp in the spring of 1943. Among the items was a striking painting on canvas, inscribed with “Keepsake of Italian P.O.W.” On the reverse were several handwritten notes, one reading “Old Malton No. 83 31/5/43”, and another message in Italian which includes the words “Signor Albert”.
Though faint and partially illegible, the markings seem to confirm a touching connection between Albert and the Italian prisoners.
NorthernLife Dec/Jan/Feb 25/26
