[Extracted from FO 383/359 - note that some pages of the 40 page + large appendices are rather tightly bound and some text lost in the binding in the photos I worked from, indicated [] - such will be added or corrected when I next visit Kew - some large sections to be completed]

Knockaloe - Report 5-12 November 1917

The last report on these camps dates from the 31st May 1917, and was written by the Military Attache to the Royal Swedish Legation

Contents

1. Situation, climate and reciprocity in treatment
2. Military Staff
3. Number of prisoners and nationalities
4. Housing and similar matters
5. Recreation and Sanitary arrangements
6. Food, Canteens
7. Food Parcels
8. Punishment
9. Release, employment.
10. Routine of prisoners' daily life, etc,etc.
11. Labour and miscellaneous occupations.
12. Distribution of mail and parcels.
13. Committees and organizations of prisoners for various purposes.
14. Complaints, suggestions and remarks.
15. Summary

Exhibits

A. Dietary for Knockaloe and Douglas Dentention Camps, the 23rd August 1917.
B.
C.
D. The extra rations at Knockaloe Camp, Camp I Compound 2, paid by the prisoners of war themselves. November 3rd 1917.
E. Knockaloe Aliens' Camp Canteen. Prices 1st October 1917
F. Knockaloe Aliens' Camp Canteen. Prices 1st November 1917
G. Knockaloe Dentention Camp. Prisoners' Canteens The 19th September 1917
H. Knockaloe and Douglas Dentention Camps. Admission of food parcels. The 16th July 1917
I. Standing Orders 27th October 1917.
J. Camp Central Committee Camp IV; etc,
K. Censor's report of letters.

1. Situation, climate and reciprocity in treatment

The situation of the Knockaloe and Douglas Camps on the lsle of Man is absolutely isolated, so that it seems quite impossible for the prisoners to escape. Taking this into consideration, as well as the present. difficulties of communication, and the strict supervision of the coast it does not seem necessary to take such strict measures to guard the prisoners. As an instance of this unnecessarily strict superintendence in the Knockaloe Camp the prisoners cannot go from one compound to another without a permit or an escort.

I think, therefore, it should be quite practicable to allow these men more liberty to move unattended about the Camp , and also to have permission to take walks in the surround ing county. It is suggested that prisoners who have their families living in the Island should have permission to live at home. They might be confined to these areas and not be interned in this strict manner. They complain that 3,000 British subjects living in Austria and Hungary have been permitted to retain their pre-war, occupations and residences, but no such reciprocal treatment has been meted out to them. They consider it only just that they should have the same liberty as the British enjoy in the Dual Monarchy.

On my visit in the month of November, which lasted for a week, there was only one day fine; on the other days it was pouring with rain and a gale of wind blowing, which is typical weather in the Isle of Man during the winter season. For this cause I consider that another winter of internment will be detrimental, physically and mentally, to the state of health of the Prisoners which is at present not so good as it ought to be.

2. Military Staff.

In KNOCKALOE the former Commandant for the whole camp, Colonel F.W.Panzera, C.M.G., has died and been replaced by Lieutenant-Colonel B . Metcalfe-Smith, Assistant. Commandant : Major Graham-Tayler , Adjutant: Captain Smith-Clebuurn Quartermaster: McCubbon.
The medical superviser will be changed, but a new one has not yet been appointed.
The German prisoner Dr. O. Ravensberg is attached to the hospital of Camp II.
For the rest the military staff at Knockaloe and Douglas Camp has not been changed since the last visit.

3. Number and Nationalities of Prisoners of War Interned

On the 3th November 1917 there were 19,278 prisoners in Knockaloe and 2,380 prisoners in Douglas. The nationalities are represented in the different camps as follows

Knockaloe 6th Nov 1917

Douglas Camp

4. Housing & Similar Matters

The huts in both the camps, Knockaloe as well as Douglas are considered rather overcrowded, and changes in this matter were asked for in the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Mossberg.

As regards this question some improvement has been made. At present the following regulations are laid down. For each prisoner an airspace of (at least) 300 cubic feet and 30 square feet of floor space is reckoned.

At the time of my visit the prisoners of war at Knockaloe, as a rule, has this mentioned air and floor spaces, and also the majority of the prisoners in Douglas. In the smaller barracks of Douglas Camp I this standard was, however, not reached.

The number of prisoners in Camps II,III,IV per hut in November 85 men, in Camp I 70 to 80 men.

In Douglas Camp the strength of the companies was reduced a week before my visit from 120 to 88 men, 93 bedsteads have been removed, leaving an air space of 300 cubic feet per head approximately. 300 interned civilians were sent from the Douglas Camp )camp II) to Knockaloe, thus reducing the number [] in each barrack. Practically all the middle bunks [were] removed, if not lower bunks will be lowered.

The Huts seem, however, to be used as much as before as dormitories, living-rooms, storerooms for luggage, drying [room] for clothes, although a spare-room for clothes etc, [had] been built at the end of each hut.

[At] Douglas the Government has taken rooms in the neighberhood for storing luggage.

In Douglas Camp really little clothing etc. are to be seen hung about from the ceiling.

In Knockaloe at the beginning there were huts erected for the purpose of dining rooms in every compound, but the prisoners of war asked to use them as workshops, theatres etc.

A general laundry has been established in Knockaloe where prisoners can send their clothes to be washed and dried free of charge. The prisoners of war, however, will not avail themselves of this laundry unless the British Government will hold itself responsible to return to each prisoner his clothes. This matter could be successfully settled by constituting a Committee out of the prisoners of war, for counting the linen.

The walls and roofs are not yet considered rainproof in Knockaloe Camp. A complaint book is kept where the necessary building repairs etc. for all the compounds are put in, but as there has been for the last few months a great difficulty to get a regular supply of necessary building material for repairs, it is impossible to redress all the claims put down in this book.

The huts in Camp II,III & IV have small ventilating tubes fixed into the roofs.

In Douglas a construction officer is constantly in attendance [who] is freely used and repairs are carried out to improve the condition of the roofs and walls of the huts or tents, but in spite of this, owing to the constant wear and tear, the barracks and the tents in both Douglas Camps, do not sufficiently protect men against rain and wind. I have, however, reason to believe that this matter will be arranged properly by the Commandant.

The beds, plank-beds are 65cms broad and 1m 80cms long. Since October 1917 the prisoners received four blankets each.

The straw in the beds is changed once a quarter. No pillows are supplied by the British Government.

Bathing. In each compound there are now in Knockaloe 10 shower baths, 5 cold and 5 hot ones.

In the huts the light has been considered insufficient at Knockaloe as well as Douglas camp, and there was a general desire for a larger number of electric lamps. However, this request was not granted.

In Knockaloe the huts are being whitewashed and in Douglas [?lower] camp new cables have been erected, and a higher power light obtained. In the privileged camp the prisoners have to find their own lamps and stores, for which the Government supply them comencing in September, with a small quantity of petroleum.

There was a demand from the prisoners to use the big dining-hall in Douglas for recreation-room and messroom. Permission has [] been given to do this. The question was raised whether the prisoners should contribute towards the fire-insurance.

Concerning the excessive insurance premium of nearly £250 a sum referred to in Lieutenant-Colonel Mossberg's report page 23, The matter seems now to be settled, as there has not been any [] for this premium during the last 18 months.

5. Recreation and Sanitary arrangements

Recreation

In Knockaloe the recreation field holds nearly 80 acres and may be used in favourable weather up to four hours.

The police is formed by the prisoners of war themselves, but in spite of this they are generally escorted to the recreation ground by soldiers with rifles.

The Austrian prisoners of war, No 21870 E Cecil Kny says in his half-yearly-report, somewhere about that in Camp IV the prisoners are marshalled and counted in and out from the recreation field by the hut-captains of the different compounds, who in turn also police the ground-time and inconvenience being thereby saved.

Two recreation grounds 20 and 10 acres in extent respectively are available alternatively for Camp IV and are open to all compounds for joint use, so that at given times the Prisoners of War may congregate.

The one ground is a natural and flat lawn and therefore preferable used for sports and games, the other consist of the small formation adjoining camp IV on the south side and offer opportunity for those not participating in sports to obtain climbing and marching exercise as well as the benefits of bracing sea air and an attractive view of the surrounding sea and country.

In Douglas the recreation ground is open to the prisoners for five days in the week and the supervision is only by the police formed by the prisoners of war themselves.

In Knockaloe and Douglas no regular walks or excursions are permitted, and the excercise the prisoners get on the recreation ground does not seem sufficient to keep the men in a fit state of health.

I think, therefore, it is absolutely necessary that every camp in Knockaloe should have its own recreation ground, and weather permitting the prisoners should be allowed to remain there the whole day. It should also be adviseable to inaugurate regular walks for the men.

The drinking water in these camps during winter is sufficient and fairly good, coming from neighbouring hills.

Hospitals

On the 9th November I visited the hospitals of the different camps in Knockaloe and the number of patients on that day were as follows

Camp I

Conditions at the Hospital

Considered from the medical and sanitary point of view, it must be admitted that the general state of health of the prisoners of war interned in this camp, can be called a passable one, relatively there were only a small number of deaths, which were as follows:

Austrians 8 (one being a suicide)
Hungarians 2 (1 being a suicide)

At the beginning, in some compounds, the huts were overcrowded, which state produced certain diseases, and sometimes there was the even the danger of an outbreak of epidemics.

The camp authorities were warned that such overcrowding had serious consequence, and therefore took the necessary steps to [remove] this, and the new-comers were transferred to other camps.

Therefore the hospital was able to look after those who already came to the camp in a delicate state of health. Although the authorities endeavoured not to get the huts overcrowded some ents brought new prisoners, therefore from a strict hygenic point of view certain huts are still a lttle over-crowded. Certain epidemics have been surpressed, but there are a good many cases of tuberculosis, as the conditions in the camp are rather apt to produce this dangerous disease, as the sanitary arrangements and the underfeeding help to spread it.

But the Government, fortunately, put at the head of the medical service Colonel W. King I.M.S. (administrative Director of Medical services) A.D.M.S. with residence at the Isle of Man, and his examination, with the co-operation of the German staff of the hospital, the Captains and the members of the kitchen committe, have rendered good services to the patients in Camp I.

Much thanks is also due to the head physician of Camp I, Dr [] Hickey, who rendered great services to the out patients and endeavoured to get the general state of health of the camp to a better level. The staff of the hospital have done a lot for the benefit of the patients, and have made a good many proposals [for] the redress of some sanitary conditions which have been [noted?]. The nursing and treatment, at the present moment, is such that illnesses take their normal course and no complications arise. The staff had great difficulties to overcome, especially as it is a German staff and therefore under much stricter supervision and control than other prisoners, and is responsible to the camp authorities for all the events going on in the hospital. One must never forget that the staff, which is composed of Germans, took such care to get all the benefits possible for the patients, which only compatriots and fellow prisoners would take.

The German prisoners of war No. 4284 Otto Ohlen rendered great services at the hospital of Camp I, and his work deserves special mentioning. P/W 16182 Emil Schoenmehl has been the greatest friend and benefactor to all his fellow prisoners and will never be forgotten by his compatriots, to whom he rendered great services at the hospital. Especially has he done great work for those who have been suffering from boils and furnacles of which there are a great number, as a natural consequence of the conditions in the camp, and the monotony of diet.

One must not forget to mention the energetic steps taken by the authority concerned to get extra rations for hundreds of young growing men, and that the number who get this favour in Camp I is much higher than in other camps.

At present the state of health in Camp I can be considered a satisfactory one, but this is chiefly due to the measures the [] physician took in scrupulously separating and isolating all persons who had Tuberculosis or seemed to have dangerous symptoms [xxsting] it.

Taking into consideration that there are about six thousand prisoners in Camp I from 18 to 70 years of age, it can be called [xxsly] satisfactory that, during the last twelve months, only [ten] persons died and only three of them in the hospital whilst the other seven deaths occurred in the Tuberculosis ward of the Isolation Hospital in Camp 3.

The illnesses that happen the most frquently are: Dyspepsia, Appendicitis, Hernia, Asthma, Bronchial Catarrh and Bronchitis.

Also Heart Trouble, and a great many are suffering from Neuresthenia an depression, or as it is technically called at the present time "Stacheldraht-Krankheit.[barbed-wire sickness]"

Diseases which happen in a few isolated cases, but were successfully cured were Typhus, and one case of Tetanus.

Camp II

There was one case of Bright's disease aged 53, one of hemiplegia, one of tuberculosis of the larynx, one new groth of the oesophagus aged 56, one of epilepsy and one of heart disease.

Diseases where the patients always died were the various forms of cancer (throat and the digestive organs) and Tuberculosis.

Bodily accidents such as breaking the arm, leg or collar bone were very few, in spite of prisoners doing a lot of sport, like football and gymnastics, and those accidents which happened were always redressed in such a way that the men would have no furtherr troble afterwards in persuing their professions.

During the last twelve months there were approximately about forty patients daily in the hospital, whilst the number of out-patients were about thirty-eight. There were about eight patients for about a period of five weeks per case. As there were a certain number of permanent patients (old age and helplessness etc) therefore one had to state that the average period of illness can only be considered four weeks per case.

To this satisfactory state of health of camp II, must be added that the number of persons repatriated from this camp was the smallest. The Noble [sic Noble's] Hospital in Douglas, which was put at the disposal of the camp for serious operations, was very seldom used and the cases set for operations returned back to the camp.

Camp III

The hospital of Camp II has indeed an unfavourable situation, with coal stocks alongside the whole length of the hospital. The coal dust does not allow the windows being opened, and the mainroad which leads from the lower camp to the upper camp passes the hospital, therefore much noise is caused through the railway traffic.

The walls are not wind and rainproof, so that patients occupying beds along outside walls are obliged to have have blankets up behind their beds. In some instances the pillows have been soaked through the rain and patients complain a good deal of rheumatics and neuralgia pains. Why then, can one not change this hut of Camp II into a hospital have it whitewashed, which process is more necessary there than anywhere else.

There is no urinal in the hospital.

The space for open-air recreation is be be limited 14yds by 12yds.

In Camp III, part of Counpound IV has been given up and an isolation ward with about 100 beds has been installed.

There were at the end of November two cases of spastic paralysis, one bad heart case, one of apoplexy, one of gastric [xxer], one tabes, one case of chronic rheumatism aged 62 and one stricture aged 70.

Camp IV

The hospital of Camp IV has lately been cleaned, wall and roof inside whitewashed and showed at the time of my visit the best order in all hospitals in Knockaloe. The physician, Dr MacGeath is a very kind man, who has an excellent way of treating his patients, who also like him very much.

In Compound 6 Camp IV a disinfection plant was installed.

There were cases of heart disease, apoplexy, Bright's Disease, tabes and ulcer of the stomach.

I immediately applied for the transfer to England of Count Aichelberg, an Austrian aged over 50, who has been confined to bed for two years.

The doctor calls twice daily in the compounds. Some prisoners consider the inspection superficial, but I did not get that impression.

The doctors are paying careful attention to cases of anaemia in the camp, which number, at present, about 450, mostly under 30 years of age. All these patients receive an extra ration, and they are weighed periodically and thus kept under careful observation. About 30 are quartered in a special hut partitioned off in two sections, where they are examined daily by Dr Hickey.

In Knockaloe the prisoners who are laid up in hospital asked for sickroom diet, which is at present not provided. Such diet cannot even be purchased by the sick prisoners themselves.

The prisoners would, however, like to be transferred to Noble's Hospital at Douglas for severe cases of illness and not only for operations as is at present done.

The mental cases are sent to Union Mills, Isle of Man.

Although the average of illness is something like 3% I consider the prolonged internment has caused many prisoners moral and bodily depression, this state of health giving rise to the gravest fears for this winter.

During the same month the Knockaloe and Douglas camps were also inspected by Doctor A.L. Vischer as a representative of the swiss legation. He has, as a medical man, given me some special medical information and I quote below, with his consent, the section of his report which concerns the Isolation Hospital and Noble's Hospital, Douglas.

The Isolation Hosital

This hospital is under the careful supervision of Dr. Sugden. Ward A contains 69 cases of phthisis.

Dr Sugden's report on the patients in this ward for the month of October is a follows:

According to general examination, temperature etc.

Improving 55
Stationary 11
Getting worse 5

According to weight only

Gaining 29
Stationary 27
Losing 15

Ward B contains 40 cases of phthisis

According to general examination, temperature etc.

Improving 21
Stationary 14
Getting worse 3

According to weight only

Gaining 22
Stationary 10
Losing 6

Ward C contains 17 cases of syphilis. They are treated with injections of galyl, a new preparation substitute for Salvarsan, and with injections of Biniodide.of Mercury. The blood is occasionally examined by the Wassermann test in the Government laboratory at Douglas.

In Ward C, there are in separate rooms, 8 mental cases, including bad epileptics, 10 cases of incontinence of urine, 2 of gonorrhea and one of impetigo.

As the name indicates, the isolation hospital was originally intended for epidemic diseases and it is only since the increase of phthisis in the camp that it has been transformed into a hospital for consumptive patients. Happily Knockaloe Camp has not suffered so far from any epidemic disease. Some time ago a compound in Camp III was empied to serve as an isolation hospital for epidemic diseases , should any occur.

Eight deaths occured in the camp during August, 5 during September, 5 during October and 4 during November up to the 23rd; one suicide since August 1st. The deaths which have occured in Noble's Hospital are included in the above figures.

Since August 1st, 1917, 26 cases have been transformed [sic transferred] to Noble's Hospital, Douglas and 20 cases sent to the Isle of Man Lunatic Asylum.

In this connection I should like to mention the good work done by the Sick and Burial Board in the Camp of which Mssr Wiesemann is Chairman and Messrs Kilian, Hintze and Gerber are members.

The Noble's Hospital

No Change has been made to the staff since the last visit.

On the day of my visit there were 11 patients in the ward for interned civilians, of whom 10 were German and 1 Turkish. They were suffering from the following diseases: one from empysema (operated on and progressing satisfactorily), one from pleurisy, three from stricture, one from fistula ani, one from hematuria, two from gallstones, one from cystitis and one a sailor boy aged 15 captured off Jutland on November [x9] 1917 was under observation for appendicitis.

I spoke with all the patients in this ward. They seemed satisfied with the treatment they received. Noble's Hospital is, in fact, a very good institution and I only regret it cannot accommodate a larger number of patients from Knockaloe.

6. Food

The food question, especially in Knockaloe Camp, plays a prominent part. The depression of the interned is primarily due to the feeding, and a radical change for the better in food conditions was asked for. In reply to the notes verbales of 10th August and 10th September 1917 of the I. and R. Ministry of Foreign Affairs I have the honour to present the comparative list made of the dietries prescribed by the Government Office, Isle of Man for Knockaloe and Douglas Dentention Camps.

On and after April 28th.
" " " June 1stst.
" " " July 23rd.
" " " Aug 8th.
" " " Sept 1st.
" " " Sept 8th.

[tba]

[23]

The changes in the quantities of food are written in read to show them clearly.

Some prisoners complain about the amount of saltherrings they frequenntly get, which are rather hard to digest. They are grateful to have them replaced by potatoes and vegetables. These are cultivated in the camp-gardens by prisoners of war. Lately the Government sells potatoes to the kitchen as additional food.

As compared with the previous years the activity in IV nurseries and vegatable gardens has been doubled and the following is a table of the products cultivated.

[tba]

[24]

Last year 58200 vegatable seeds were planted for Spring use but perished through frost and included 25000 Kale, 29000 Cabbages, Savoy, red cabbages and Brussels Sprouts.

Exhibit A shows the dietary for the Island, issued by the Isle of Man Government at the time of my visit for comparision with
Exhibit B. The dietary in force for camps on the mainland coming under the War Office (has not been copied)

In the Kitchen there are 10 boilers, holding 35 gallons, and one roaster in use. The kitchens were clean with wodden floors. No stores are kept in the compounds.

The bread is, however of very good quality. The English officers have the same bread as the prisoners of war.

The dinner at Knockaloe on Saturday 10th November, with the supplement of vegetables and potatoes, was better than I had expected.

Exhibit D shows the extra rations at Knockaloe, Camp I, compound 2 paid by the prisoners of war themselves (November 3rd 1917).

In Douglas were almost the same rations as in an Army Camp.

Exhibit C shows the dietary for the privileged camp. Douglas 9th April 1917.

During the week of inspection from 5th November to 12 November 1917 the menu for the prisoners at Douglas was as follows:

[25 tba]

[26]

The arbitary substitution of jam for fat containing margarine is still resorted to. No increase in the supply of staple food such as bread and meat has been made.

Canteens

The canteens in Knockaloe were formerly run by the Government of the Isle of Man. In the note verbale Sepember 10th of the I. and R. Ministry of Foreign Affairs the request was made to put the conteens under more businesslike arrangements so that the interned men were either employed by or allowed to participate in the management, and the profits should be turned over to some fund, used for the benefit of the interned.

In Douglas camp the Canteen management is now as before in the hands of the same contractor, Mr Cunningham, who employs only English labour, but the prisoners of war have no specific complaints to make about the canteen. The prices are fixed by the Government. Different kinds of food stuffs in sufficient quantities are brought in. Especially I appreciated the good cheese, which one could get in the canteens at Douglas.

In Knockaloe the canteens are, since November 1st, in the hands of the prisoners themselves, as requested in the note verbale. By Government circular No. 362 of 19th September 1917 the prisoners were informed that from the 1st of November, the canteens would be handed over to the compounds, and could be managed by the prisoners themselves for their own benefit, but at the same time the monthly contribution of £30 per compound to the kitchen funds was withdrawn.

Five weeks later an order from the Government's Office Isle of Man, dated the 25th October 1917, said that the wages of the gardeners of the compounds, and the contributions to the camp libraries should in future be paid of the profits made by the compounds from the canteens.

The prisoners in Knockaloe complained of paying gardeners' wages and library contributions out of canteen profits and maintained that these two payments of wages should be made out of Government funds, as it had been arranged previously.

The canteen funds of the compounds will now be overcharged to such an extent that profits will be out of the question. More so, as for some articles the prices seem to be in excess to the usual market prices. The Government circular No. 362 paragraph 4 says in this matter:-

The supplies will be sold to the kitchen committees at cost price plas a small charge to meet the administrative expenses of the Government.

This change in the management of the canteens has not facilitated the purchase of food and other necessities of life.

It has so far not been possible to obtain any other food stuff than sardines and honey. The quantities of tobacco and cigarettes are also inadequate.

Exhibit E shows the canteen prices 1st October 1917 for Knockaloe Detention Camp.

Exhibit F shows the canteen prices 1st November 1917 for Knockaloe Detention Camp.

7. Food Parcels.

The regulations for sending food parcels are now modified. Non-relatives may send food-parcels to several prisoners, but such parcels should not contain meat, [], flour, breadstuff or sugar obtained in the United Kingdom. Parcels containing the above mentioned articles are either returned to the sender on payment of postage or confiscated.

This restriction may probably be due to the general shortage of food in England.

The Government of the Isle of Man has lately prohibited the ordering of clothes, boots etc in England. Only relations are allowed to send the restricted goods.

8. Punishment.

The regulations are modified as follows:

Escapes or attempts to escape are not punished with hard labour since the conclusion of the German British Hague Concention. The civilian prisoners of war are now dealt with by a military court and punished with confinement only. Most of the recent cases have been punished with 14 days cell or confinement on bread and water (Diet in Camp Prison).

9. Release, Employment.

No interned Austrian or Hungarian has, as far as I know, been allowed to return to his old residence and to pursue his former occupation. About 600 Austrians and Hungarians are released for farm work or other manual labour in the United Kingdom at places allowed by the British Authorities. At the beginning of November Austrians and Hungarians were released from Douglas [camp] as they refused to work they were then interned at Alexandra Palace. Many of the Austrians and Hungarians were sent from Knockaloe to Feltham in order to work, but as they refused they [] to return to the former camp. A great number of men are waiting for their turn to be released.

The prisoners would much appreciate it if the British Authorities would give considerastion to all individual applications for release.

It seems that numbers of prisoners of war interned in the privileged camp are at present excluded from the benefit of release for work, of which they particularly complain.

Permission is very rarely granted to leave the camp in cases of sickness or of urgent private affairs. If the prisoner is not able to pay expenses a certain sum towards travelling expenses is allowed out of the Markel fund.

Some prisoners having been Reserve Officers in the I. and R. Austro-Hungarian Armies asked for transfer to an officers camp. Others having English wives or families living in London asked to be sent to a camp in or close to London.

As the number of Austrian and Hungarian prisoners is diminishing through release for work, the prisoners think that an agreement could now more easily be made for sending the prisoners to a neutral country.

10. Routine of Prisoners' daily life

These matters have not changed in general since the last visit. The routine varies in different camps but at the time of my visit everything was one hour later than during the last visit in May, as Winter regulations were then in force.

The standing orders, Government circular No 387 17th November, Exhibit I. are enforced as regards prisoners of war in the camps on the Isle of Man.

I was present at the funeral ceremony of an Austrian prisoner of war at Knocklaloe Saturday morning the 10th November. The deceased had a coffin of yellow wood, which was carried by his compatriots to the churchyard close to the camp.

The funeral march was played by Austrian and Hungarian musicians. An English minister read the burial service, and the whole ceremony made a solemn and sad impression.

At Kockaloe the following deaths occured:
8 Austrians
2 Hungarians
Total 10 during 1917

and only one at Douglas Camp.

At Knockaloe one committed suicide and one at Douglas too. I think those suicides are due to the depressed mental state of the prisoners of war on the Isle of Man.

Especially the case of the Austrian Pole P/W 3552 Vasil Semanov, who hanged himself on the 21st August in Camp 1 Compound 5 Knockaloe, shows that his nervous system broke down entirely and that he had lost all control over himself.[this last phrase appears to be have been erased from the typescript]

11. Labour and miscellaneous occupations.

Since the last visit, there is no change in the following schemes of the Government, Isle of Man:
1. Reclamation of wasteland by prisoners of war labour, Government Circular No. 245.
2. Quarrying and road-making by prisoners of war labour, Government Circular No. 246.
3. Alien Labour for farms, Government Circular No. 265, 274.

The prisoners on the Isle of Man working outside the camps were in the beginning of December of this year

These numbers will of course increase with better weather.

In Douglas Aliens' Camp the miscellaneous occupations were. at the time of my visit, as shown in the following list:
Brush Factory 510
Watch-makers etc. 12
Library 3
School 300.
Office Work 15
Pipe-case-makers 27
Tailors 50
Art School of all trade 180
Boot makers 9
Clog-makers 5
Sculptors, Artists etc 9
Agricultural Work etc 120
Carpenters etc. 15.

12. Distribution of mail and parcels.

The prisoners pointed out that there is, as yet, no improvement in the arrival of letters, parcels and money orders from Austria and Hungary. It takes, generally, some seven to eight weeks and they desire quicker delivery. I tried to explain the difficulties at present to get the mail quicker.

...

13. Committees and organizations of prisoners for various purposes.

During this long internment the Prisoners' of War Committees, and organization for various purposes have never ceased to develope.

...

14. Complaints, suggestions and remaks.

As mentioned before the Austrian and Hungarian prisoners of war are still waiting for the arrangements for reciprocal treatment.

The age limit for exchange should not be higher than 45 years of age, considering the long internment and the small number of prisoners who would only be affected by this age limit.

They beg to refer to repeated letters regarding the monthly allowance for the destitute prisoners. 2525 at Knockaloe, 260 at Douglas.

Another appeal has been forwarded to the I. and R. Government for the provision of personal outfit after the war.

The prisoners beg the I. and R. Government to improve the conditions of exchange of money, by which they lose such a considerable amount.

Quite a number of prisoners are still complaining about having been interned before war was declared, or having been taken from Neutral Steamers. There are some prisoners who were not yet in possession of their luggage and belongings. Some destitute prisoners of war claim the repayment of their tickets, when taken prisoners at Southampton, Liverpool and other places

Personal Equipment: Every Prisoner of War cannot get his boots repaired by the Government Bootmakers, he has to have them repaired at a charge of 4/- to 5/-.

Similar difficulties are being experiecienced as regards other equipment; enormous difficulties arise before the prisoners get the things they badly require.

The prisoners ought not to be compelled to procure boots and clothes at their own expense.

Food: Prisoners of War at Douglas of Jewish faith ask for Kosher food against a weekly payment of 6d.

The sick and burial board Committee at Knockaloe complain they are not allowed to visit the patients in the hospitals.

Some prisoners lodged an appeal for compensation for the loss of an eye or a finger on government work, similar to the workmen's compensation act.

All the Austrian and Hungarian prisoners of war, who wished to speak to me were allowed to state their case without any camp authorities being present. Except a number of private applications, informations, business and family matters have been censored and then duly transmitted to me.

I saw more than 300 Austrian and Hungarian prisoners of war during my visit to the Isle of Man,

15. Summary

The mental and physical conditions of the prisoners of war in the Isle of Man, especially at Knockaloe camp cannot be considered very favourrable.

The prisoners did not like the transfer from Douglas to Knockaloe which was necessary for obtaining the proper air space of 300 cubic feet. They would have preferred to have been transferred to a camp on the mainland, or some camp, in or near London.

I really hope that the new canteen arrangements at Knockaloe will give nore satisfaction to the interned.

The climate of the Island, the monotony of the life and the strict disciplinee in the camp is undermining the prisoners nerves.

In the interest of humanity, should the war continue for a considerable time, the prisoners should have either more liberty, or as soon as possible be transeferred to a Neutral country.

This loss of liberty is even more detrimental to them and harder to bear than the camp conditions.

The prisoners deeply regret the loss of Colonel Panzera at Knockaloe. The British officers seemed, in both camps, to do their best to mitigate the hard lot of the Prisoners of War.

One must not forget to mention the good relationship which exists between the British Commandants and the prisoners.

I must not conclude without mentioning the great kindness and courtesy shown to me, during my vist, by the Authorities Isle of Man Government and by the Military Camp Authorities, who rendered great services, and made my difficult task so much easier.
London, 31st December, 1917

Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2020