Many of the prisoners of war were allowed out on parole. From Capt. Vernon Harris’ interesting pamphlet we learn the form of parole was as follows:—
Whereas the Commissioners for conducting His Majesty’s Transport service and for the care and custody of French officers and sailors detained in England have been pleased to grant A. B. leave to reside in .... upon condition that he gives his parole of honour not to withdraw one mile from the boundaries prescribed there without leave for that purpose from the said Commissioners, that he will behave himself decently and with due regard to the laws of the Kingdom, and also that he will not directly or indirectly hold any correspondence with France during his continuance in England, but by such letter or letters as shall be shewn to the Agent of the said Commissioners under whose care he is or may be in order to their being read and approved by the superiors. He does hereby declare that he having given his parole of honour will keep it inviolably.
(Signature)
The following towns in Devon and Cornwall were set aside for prisoners on parole:—Ashburton, Okehampton, Moretonhampstead, Tavistock, Bodmin, Launceston, Callington, Roscoe and Regilliack, but probably prisoners were from time to time billetted in other towns such as Tiverton (mentioned later) and elsewhere.
The[The] following notice was sent and posted as notice to the inhabitants of the town selected for residence of the prisoners allowed out on parole:—
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,
That all such prisoners are permitted to walk or ride on the Great Turnpike Road within the distance of one mile from the extreme parts of the Town (not beyond the bounds of the Parish) and that if they shall exceed such limits or go into any field or cross road they may be taken up and sent to prison and a reward of 10s. will be paid by the Agent for apprehending them. And further that such prisoners are to be in their lodgings by 5 o’clock in the winter and 8 o’clock in the summer months and if they stay out later they are liable to be taken up and sent to the Agent for such misconduct. And to prevent the prisoners from behaving in an improper manner to the inhabitants of the town or creating any riots or disturbances either with them or among themselves notice is also given that the Commissioners will cause upon information being given to their agent any prisoner who shall so misbehave to be committed to prison. And such of the inhabitants who shall insult or abuse any of the prisoners of war on parole or shall be found in any respect aiding or assisting in the escape of such prisoners will be prosecuted according to law.
In reference to Tavistock, the Prison Commissioners reported that there were 150 prisoners there allowed out on parole, and that their conduct was exemplary. The Report further stated—
Some of them have made overtures of marriage to women in the neighbourhood which the magistrates have very properly taken pains to discourage.
When allowed out on parole the prisoner was assigned to some place of residence, after which he received a fixed sum for his maintenance, and was permitted to engage in any kind of business or occupation, and to use any additional funds he might possess. Many of the prisoners occupied their time in teaching languages, and in carving various things such as chessmen, etc.