Corporal Peter Peel

	This page: general experience.
	Includes inventory and audio clip.

Self-protrait as Macduff

Having enlisted at Pontefract barracks early in 1940, Peter Peel subsequently joined the 2^nd Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment in Egypt. The Battalion was sent to Crete and in the attempt to hold it against German attack in 1941 Peter was slightly wounded and captured. His journey to Central European captivity ended at Stalag 8B in Silesia, a huge marshalling camp supplying prisoners to numerous work places in the Sudetenland. Peter was sent to a quarry as a labourer but deliberately wrenched his ankle as an excuse to return to the camp. He gained an interview with a Regimental Sergeant Major in charge of all camp activities for prisoners awaiting despatch to Arbeitsplätze. These activities included a 600 student school with 43 tutors, a 500 seater theatre, a symphony orchestra and dance band and international football, cricket and athletics, which were encouraged by the Germans as good publicity for Red Cross inspections. Peter Peel's educational background helped secure him staff jobs as teacher of English and Art in school, designer and painter of theatre sets and actor in the Repertory Company.

Peter played Sebastian in 'Twelfth Night' (opposite the late Denholm Elliot who played Viola), Macduff in 'Macbeth', and Freddie in 'Pygmalion' with Elliot as Eliza! The theatre group made all their own props, costumes and scenery, except for the costumes for 'Twelfth Night' which came from costumiers at Red Cross expense. The Germans were so impressed with the Shakespeare that they arranged a tour to other large Stalags for 'Twelfth Night' complete with scenery!

'Stalag Dance Band' by Peter Peel

As well as his involvement in the theatre, he became a keen card player and he and a friend soon became known as 'players', amassing a 'camp fortune' which consisted of various goodies from the Red Cross and private parcels. He also put his talent to practical use when he was recruited by the Escape Committee to forge symbols, signatures, display lettering for letter-headings, tickets, passes and travel permits.

To cap what he describes as an "absorbing five years", Peter was able to study for, sit and pass his professional intermediate exams via the Red Cross. After he was demobbed he passed his professional finals gaining the qualifications MCIM, MAA and MIPA and became Creative Director of the then largest Advertising Agency in the North East.

During his years at Stalag, this soldier was permitted to send sketches and photographs back to England. The photographs include Denholm Elliott and all the 8B tutors in the Stalag school. The Centre is delighted to preserve Peter's artwork and photographs alongside his tape-recorded interview. His artwork beautifully exemplifies the fact that artistic creativity could sometimes flourish under conditions of captivity.

1941 in the mountains, Crete, before capture

Group photograph from one of the theatre productions, set designer, Peter Peel, pictured on the back row, far left

More examples of Peter Peel's Second World War artwork feature in the second issue of the Centre's Journal "Everyone's War"

	This page: general experience.
	Includes inventory and audio clip.