condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white

Collections Online

Collections record

discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

crystal set

human history
  • Other Name

    radio : home-made crystal set (alternative)

    Lieut. Ronald William Arthur Frost, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, (associated name)

  • Description

    Crystal set made by Lieut. Ronald William Arthur Frost, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, while a POW at Stalag VIIIB, near Lamsdorf, during WW2

  • Place
    Germany
  • Associated Place

    Dunkerque/France

    Lamsdorf/Germany

  • Accession Number
    2007.73.1
  • Accession Date
    05 Sep 2007
  • Department

    History

    War History

radio : home-made crystal set [2007.73.1] - front view

Images and documents

Images

  • radio : home-made crystal set [2007.73.1] - front view
  • radio : home-made crystal set [2007.73.1] - side view
  • radio : home-made crystal set [2007.73.1] - side view
  • radio : home-made crystal set [2007.73.1] - interior view
  • radio : home-made crystal set [2007.73.1] - interior view
  • radio : home-made crystal set [2007.73.1] - ruler view

Artefact

  • Credit Line
    gift of Suzanne and Justina Frost
  • Cultural Origin

    unknown

  • Primary Maker

     Lieut. Ron Frost (Maker)

  • Place
    Germany
  • Date
    Circa 1945
  • Associated Notes

    Crystal set made by Lieut. Ronald William Arthur Frost, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, while a POW at Stalag VIIIB, near Lamsdorf, during WW2

    Lieut. Ronald William Arthur Frost (1918-1997) served during WW2 with the 51st Highland Division. He was captured on 20 June 1940 north of Dunkirk and was a POW for nearly 5 years in Silesia - mainly at Stalag VIIIB. (A a number of New Zealanders taken prisoner in Crete were also at Stalag VIIIB.)

    He escaped just before the end of the war (his twelfth attempt), and saw VE Day in London. The crystal set helped in his escape - letting him know what was happening and when it was safe to move.

    After the war Ron Frost migrated to New Zealand, and became a leading figure in motor racing in this country and received an MBE for his services in this field.

  • Associated Event
    WW2; 1939-1945
  • Associated Person

     Lieut. Ron Frost

     51st (Highland) Infantry Division

     Stalag VIIIB

  • Associated Place

    Dunkerque/France

    Lamsdorf/Germany

  • Associated Date
    1939-1945
  • Period

    World War 2/Wars

  • Media

    metal/inorganic material

    plastic/organic material

  • Measurement Description
    hxwxd: 105mm x 180mm x 163mm
  • Subject Category

    prisoner of war/wars

  • Classification

    crystal set

    communication equipment

  • Last Update
    15 May 2023
The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity