HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2020
[From TNA FO 383/77/142151 - Letter to American Embassy
Knockaloe Alien's Camp, Isle of Man
Camp 3, Compound 3, Hut 5B
Aug Her. Dittmar, Prisoner W.13786.To the American Ambassador, London.
Dear Sir;
I take the liberty to trouble you with my writing. I am German by birth 50 years old, Organ Builder by trade. I lived in the United States for 23 years, never left the country a single time, I came to New York June 20, 1891 from Hamburg, Steamer "Aug, Victoria", left New York June 9th 1914, Steamer "K, Aug.Vic," for Hamburg.
I was 16 years in St. Louis, 7 in Chicago, tok out my first paper in St. Louis October 6th 1894. I don't have the second paper. The American Konsul in Hamburg advised me to go back to the U.S. but I was taken prisoner from Steamer " Noordam" bound Rotterdam N.Y.: I send the Konsuls letter and my first paper to the Home Office about June 15. I have a ticket Liverpool, N.Y. AmicLine. I wish to help me, to leave for the U.S. Respectfully,
(Signed) Aug. Herm. Ditttmar
The covering letter from the American Embassy, dated 30th September 1915 asked
If it is true, as alleged, that Dittmar resided uninterruptedly in the United States for twenty three years, since June, 1891 to June, 1914., and made his declaration of intention to become a United States citizen at St. Louis, on October 6th, 1894, Mr Page would appreciate a statement of His Majesty's Government in regard to the release of the individual in question, provided that he should undertake to return immediately to the United States for uninterrupted future residence, and the completion of his naturalization. It in understood of course, that the prisoner will pay for his own passage.
This appears to have worked for the Home Office replied on 15th October 1915 "to acquaint you, for the information of Secretary Sir Edward Grey that, in view of the exceptional circumstances of DITTMAR's case, his release has now been authorised on condition that he proceeds forthwith to the United States" though they couldn't resist a comment on the covering folder "If he has been 23 years in the U.S. his style does him no credit."
His release from Knockaloe is noted in I.C.R.C. records (D.68-8) as being on
9th December 1915; D.30-1(10 April 1915) notes him at Stratford, born Rollsdorf
in Saxony with American address 3825 Laclede Avenue St Louis - his camp number
would place his probable arrival at Knockaloe
in the 500 arriving 30 July 1915 (my group E5).
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