One of the less frequently mentioned facts about local history is
that Cannock Chase was widely utilized by the British military during
both World War 1 and World War 2. In 1914 a decision made by the
governments War Office led to the construction of two huge training
camps that soon changed the peaceful landscape forever. Over the
following years a quarter of a million troops passed through the
Chase on their way to fight on the front-line. The structures
contained manufactured shooting ranges, railways, bombing ranges,
power stations and even shops, which provides a good indication to
their vastness.
Paranormal investigator Lee Brickley has a new book available about the paranormal happenings on Cannock Chase. Read it here: UK Link - US Link or click the book cover below!
Alongside this, a camp was constructed nearby that held many German
prisoners of war. By 1917, enemy pilots shot down over the U.K were
forced to live and work at the location under British military
supervision. This must have been a rather odd thing for the people of
Cannock to get their heads around, not least because the prisoners
were often forced to work in the community, helping out on local
farms etc. This practice, although dropped at the end of WW1, was
revitalised when the Chase was re-utilized for the fight against
Hitler.
Cannock
Chase played such a prominent role in wartime England that on October
16th
1959, a deal was struck between Britain and the Federal Republic of
Germany, which saw 5000 German and Austrian corpses transported to
the area from the farthermost corners of the British Isles. The
government's agreed that it would be considerably more compassionate
for any visiting relatives, if all their countrymen’s graves were
in the same, easily locatable place, so work on the site began.
By June 1967 the cemetery was complete and open to the public.
Undoubtedly this had a very positive impact on Anglo-German
relations, and so we should consider it a good thing. That said, I
would imagine moving 5000 bodies from their resting places can create
a whole wealth of supernatural disturbances, and that indeed seems to
be the case.
Even to this very day, many people report witnessing ghosts in
military uniform in and around the cemetery, sitting on gravestones
or standing silently in full attire. A lady contacted me recently who
claimed that, whilst walking near to the burial ground, she witnessed
a group of soldiers in 1940's uniforms casually strolling. Apparently
the “Phantom Brigade” instantly disappeared when she blinked.
Stories of this nature are certainly not uncommon, however some of
the other reports definitely are.
In 2007 the local press began reporting on a series of potential
Bigfoot/werewolf sightings in the area, inspiring many paranormal
groups to investigate. Numerous stories came in from members of the
public, postmen and even a scout-leader, which surly makes the
sightings interesting at the very least. Oddly, after a year or two,
the reports seemed to stop, but was this just the corporate
controlled media getting bored? Do the sightings continue?
Well, as you know, I am currently just finishing my book about
Cannock Chase so I feel able to answer that question plainly and
simply – Yes, the sightings continue, in fact I have dedicated an
entire chapter to them, so if you're interested and want to know
more, watch this space.
You can also check out Nick Redfern's latest article on the German
Cemetery HERE
Until we meet again.........
Peace Out!
I see no reasons why ghost should not be believed in.. after all they to was once mortal beings I do think leaving this body behind when we die leaves an imprint of our once earthly body,, the spirit lives on.. read the book life ever after no its not biblical but an interesting read...rkm
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