The hardships of an Italian Prisoner of War camp during World War Two did not stifle the sporting spirit of the prisoners. This makeshift cricket ball was made from Red Cross Parcel string by a prisoner at Campo 57 in Gruppignano, Italy.
Peter Winter, a Taranaki man who spent a year in the camp and wrote a book about his wartime experiences, remembered that cricket, soccer, volleyball and deck tennis helped fill many hours. Those skilled enough to make the balls gained some standing in the camp although they never rivalled a 'clique of successful gamblers' who always had plenty of 'worldly goods'.
Sport was a welcome release for the prisoners who lived under the harsh discipline and sometimes brutal punishments of camp life. Two New Zealanders were shot and killed at the camp and two others were wounded.
Search the Puke Ariki Heritage Collection
LinkPlease do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki.
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.
The information on this website is provided for general research and reference only. While we try to keep content accurate and current, we make no guarantees about its completeness or correctness. It should not be considered a replacement for a LIM or a Property Report. Some content is supplied by third parties. Puke Ariki has not verified this content and users should check its accuracy before relying on it.The inclusion of a building on the website does not imply heritage status. See SCHED1 in the NPDC District Plan for a list of buildings that have rules about what can happen to or around them (administered by NPDC). See the New Zealand Heritage List for a list of buildings that are celebrated for their heritage significance but are not subject to rules (administered by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga). Should any corrections need to be made to the records or for more information please contact us.
