Site of Second World War prisoner of war camp and Cold War radio station, Camp 78, High Garrett (EHER 46806)

The site of a Second World War prisoner of war camp at High Garrett, officially called Camp 78. This was a purpose-built, standard type camp. Common buildings and facilities at standard type camps included water towers, offices, officer's mess, a canteen, guard rooms, barrack huts, ablution blocks, cell blocks, a camp reception station (medical facility/hospital), a cookhouse, dining rooms, recreation rooms and living huts or tents. The camp initially held Italian, then later during the war German prisoners. An inspection by the International Red Cross in 1943 reports that it held up to 750 prisoners. It functioned as a work camp where prisoners were sent out to work as labourers in the local area. It could have been in use up until 1948. The camp has since been removed, but footprints of the camp could survive. A mast currently stands at the site.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: A Second World War prisoner of war camp at High Garrett, Halstead Road, Braintree, officially called Camp 78. The site of a Second World War prisoner of war camp at High Garrett, officially called Camp 78. This was a purpose-built, standard type camp. Common buildings and facilities at standard type camps included water towers, offices, officer's mess, a canteen, guard rooms, barrack huts, ablution blocks, cell blocks, a camp reception station (medical facility/hospital), a cookhouse, dining rooms, recreation rooms and living huts or tents. It functioned as a German working camp. The camp has since been removed, but footprints of the camp could survive. A mast currently stands at the site. <1> An inspection by the International Red Cross on 12-FEB-1943 reports that the camp held up to 750 Italian prisoners. <2> During WW2 High Garret was a prisoner of war camp for Italians. Had about 200 prisoners and most liked it, with benefits such as passes to the local movies and many did not leave Braintree afterwards. In the early 60s, the High Garret Detachment was a micro-wave radio relay site, part of the communications service which supplied telephone and teletype for United States Air Force in Europe. Used Marconi micro-wave transmitters and equipment. <3> Italians moved out from High Garret and Germans moved down from Scotland, Some stayed until 1947. <4>