Powerful tales of life as a prisoner of war
An exhibition at the Black Watch Castle and Museum continuing this month will open visitors’ eyes to what it is like to be a Prisoner of War.
‘Life Behind the Wire’ tells the story of Black Watch soldiers captured and imprisoned during the 20th century.
It explores their experiences shared through letters, photographs, art and objects brought home as mementoes of their time in captivity.
The term ‘Prisoner of War’ can be evocative of images of depravation, hardship and harsh treatment.
While this perception of Prisoner of War camps was in some cases true, for many, although not pleasant, it was at least safe and this is something which is touched on in the exhibition.
The initial shame and trauma of capture gave way to an understanding that boredom and physical weakness rather than bullets were now the greatest enemies. Prisoners would battle against these foes by trying to educate and entertain themselves.
The exhibition invites visitors to write their own Prisoner of War letters to their loved ones back home taking inspiration from the artefacts on display and stories shared.
Hope Busak, curator at the Hay Street attraction, said: “Our aim is to share knowledge and create opportunities for our visitors to engage with that knowledge and the emotional response it provokes to craft their own Prisoner of War letters.”
Hope added: “We have had some amazing letters from children as young as six.”
Letters written by visitors will be featured over The Black Watch Castle and Museum’s social media platforms in the coming months.
The Life behind the Wire exhibition is on display until November 30. Price is included with museum admission.
The museum display will bring home POW stories