Ashby occupies an interesting page in that little-known chapter of British history which deals with the prisoners of war who have lived amongst us, and I owe my cordial thanks to the Rev. W. Scott, who has preserved this page from oblivion, for permission to make use of his pamphlet.
In September 1804, the first detachment of prisoners, forty-two in number, reached Ashby, and this number was gradually increased until it reached its limit, 200. The first arrivals were poor fellows who had to board and lodge themselves on about ten shillings and sixpence a week; but the later officers from Pampeluna had money concealed about their clothing and in the soles of their boots.
On the whole, Mr. Scott says, they seem to have had a tolerably good time in Ashby. Their favourite walk was past the Mount Farm near the Castle, along the Packington Road, then to the left to the Leicester Road, across the fields even now sometimes called ‘The Frenchman’s Walk’, but more generally, Packington Slang. The thirty-shilling reward offered to any one who should report a prisoner as being out of bounds was very rarely claimed, for the officers were such general favourites that few persons could be found who, even for thirty shillings, could be base enough to play the part of informer.
An indirect evidence of the good feeling existing between the townspeople and their guests is afforded by the story of two dogs. One of these, named Mouton, came with the first prisoners in 1804, spent ten years in Ashby, and returned with the men in 1814. The other dog came with the officers from Pampeluna, and was the only dog who had survived the siege. Both animals were great pets with the people of Ashby.
There seem to have been at least two duels. Mr. Measures, a farmer of Packington, on coming to attend to some cattle in Packington Slang, saw a cloak lying on the ground, and upon removing it was horrified to see the body of a French officer. It proved to be that of Captain Colvin. He was buried in the churchyard of Packington, and, honour being satisfied, the man who had slain him was one of the chief mourners. There is a brief entry of another duel in Dr. James Kirkland’s records: ‘Monsieur Denègres, a French prisoner, killed in a duel, Dec. 6th, 1808.’
Good friends as the prisoners were with the male inhabitants of the town, and with the neighbouring farmers, who on more than one occasion lent horses to officers who wished to escape, it was with the ladies that they were prime favourites. One of the prisoners, Colonel Van Hoof, was the admirer of Miss Ingle, the reigning beauty of Ashby. The courtesy and good nature of the prisoners bore down all obstacles; and the only ill-wishers they had were the local young dandies whose noses they put out of joint. The married dames were also pleased and flattered: many of the prisoners were excellent cooks, and one who made a soup which was the envy and despair of every housekeeper in Ashby, when asked by a lady the secret of it, said: ‘I get some pearl barley and carry it here several days,’ placing his hand melodramatically over his heart.
In spite of the mile-limit regulation, they went to picnics in Ashby Old Parks, riding in wagons, and going along the tram road which ran from Willesley to Ticknall. On these occasions the officers were accompanied by the better class girls of the town and their admirers. Music was supplied by one of the Frenchmen who played a violin. For this or for some other reason he seems to have been a first favourite. When passing through the tunnel underneath Ashby Old Parks Hill, it was no unusual thing for him to lay aside his fiddle to kiss the girls. Of course, they always asked him to play while in the tunnel in order to keep him from obliging them in this manner, and of course he would know what they meant.
The permanent result of this love-making is shown by the parish register of Ashby; from 1806 to June 1, 1814, the following weddings took place between local girls and French ‘Prisoners of War resident in this Parish’, or ‘on parole in this Parish’:
1806. Francis Robert to Jane Bedford.
Two Masonic Lodges and a Rose Croix Chapter were established in Ashby—the above-mentioned Louis Jean was a member of the ‘Vrais Amis de l’Ordre’ Lodge, and four relics of his connexion are still preserved. Tradition says that the constitution of the Lodge was celebrated by a ball given by the French officers, the hosts presenting to each lady two pairs of white gloves, one pair long, the other short.