HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2019
[From TNA FO 383/276]
This was the first visit bt the Swiss Legation following the American entry into the war - Dr A.L. Vischer, who was the visiting inspector had a special interest in mental health - unlike the Americans he was often more critical of the conditions though by 1917 these had considerably improved from the early days of the Camp. The German U-boats were at this time very effective and there was a general food shortage in the UK - on island the Government Secretary was fearful of any public outcry that any food was being sent to the campthat should have remained in the Island market.
This Camp was last visited by representatives of the American Embassy on November 18, 1916.
Knockaloe is divided into 4 separate camps, the staff being as follows
Commandant Colonel F.W.Panzera, C.M.G.
Camp I
Sub-Commandant Major A.B.R. Kaye
2nd in Command Captain Gidney
Camp II
Sub-Commandant Major H.N. Fife-Scott
2nd in Command Captain C.B. Bibby
Camp III
Sub-Commandant Major J. Quayle Dickson D.S.O
2nd in Command Captain R.E. Chevalier
Camp IV
Sub-Commandant Major Anderton Nodin
2nd in Command Captain Sparkes
Medical Supervisor in the whole Camp Lieut. Col. W.J. King, I.M.S., A.D.M.S.
[2]
The Camp at Knockaloe is siuated on the western coast of the Isle of Man, Knockaloe, the name of the farm on the grounds of which the camp is built, belongs to St. Patrick, a little village about three miles from the small town of Peel. It stands on the eastern slope of a hill separating the camp from the sea. The nearest railway station is Peel, about a mile and a half from Knockaloe.
The four camps are entirely separated from one another and their inmates are not allowed to communicate with each other. Camps III and IV are on the higher ground; the soil of the whole consists partly of sand and partly of clay.
Each Camp is divided into a number of self-containing compounds, separated one from the other by barbed wire fences. The inmates of these compounds cannot communicate without special permits, which are usually given, the members of the different committees having permanent passes. There are altogether 23 compounds in Knockaloe.
The water supply is of good quality and sufficient in quantity. The sewage is disposed of by water flushing; it is pumped by electrical power to an outfall pipe and thus over the cliff into the sea. The working of this system is very satisfactory.
A general steam laundry with a spacious drying room is under construction and
will be opened shortly for the use of all camps.
The whole camp is lit by electricity which is generated in a special plant
[3]
Each Camp has its own hospital. There is one general Isolation Hospital now used for consumptive cases, and a new Isolation is now under construction.
Each compound has its own kitchen. There is a central Canteen under the exclusive management of the Isle of Man Government, with spacious storerooms, from which provisions are dealt out daily to the camps. During the month of April five thosand nine hundred and five pounds' worth of goods were received, the cash takings amounting to £8343. We were told that the canteen net profits are expended in the form of periodical grants to the prisoners on special occasions such as at Easter and Christmas, and that each month a sum of £30 is given to each compound Kitchen Committee, out of which the kitchen workers are paid and extras are provided.
In the different camps there are small stalls for the sale of retail goods.
Attached is a list dated May 1, 1917, of Canteen Prices (Exhibit A).
There is a central bakery which is in charge of a British Foreman and 32 prisoners.
It is provided with modern machinery and the bread is baked in 3 large double-twin
stoves. The output is about fifty thousand 2lb loaves per week.
We would draw attention to the additional food ration, consisting of 4 ozs of
bread and 1 oz. of cheese daily. This is given to all working prisoners paid
through the camp authorities. The number of prisoners receiving the additional
ration is between 2500 and 3000 (see Exhibit C).
[4]
In addition to the rations the Kitchen Committee can buy extra at the general
canteen, but; extras are now limited. Upon careful enquiry at the canteen stores,
we learnt that, apart from the rations, the following articles of nutritious
value the canteen list were delivered to each camp last month :-
4,480 lbs. split peas.
8,960 lbs. rice
1,300 lbs. lentils.
112 lbs. onions to each compound kitchen per week.
6 gallons vinegar per week.
3,396 ¼ 1b. tins of cocoa.
1,894 1b. pots of honey.
1,239 bottles (reputed pints) salad oil.
5,000 tins of Skippers' sardines during the course of the month of May, to the
16th.
2,136 1 oz. bottles of Bovril.
2,424 1 oz. bottles of Oxo.
50 dozen bottles of pickles.
49 lbs. of baking powder.
1,178 lbs. of custard powder.
1 62 lbs. of curry powder.
4,600 oranges.
The canteen has still a good stock of cocoa, honey, Bovril, Oxo, pickles, baking powder, rice, split pees, lentils and a fair amount of cheese. The supply of salad oil, dried apples, Skippers' sardines, custard powder and oranges is now exhausted, but we were told a that large stocks of each of these articles are on order. We would add that certain articles on the retail price list, such as apricots and dried figs, have been out of stock for some weeks. We received many complaints regarding the stock of tobacco at the canteen, which is said to be inadequate. Attached is the dietary sheet, dated April 26. 1917 (Exhibit "B"). It is to be noted, however, that during the last few days of our visit, margarine was cut down to ½ oz. and replaced by ¾ oz. of jam. The prisoners like to have their herrings smoked, and for this purpose they have made small stoves in practically all the compounds, It is hoped that the authorities will supply fuel for this purpose in summer time.
[5]
Almost every available space inside the camp and portions of ground outside the camp, amounting approximately to 100 acres, have been laid out as vegetable beds. The products of these gardens are issued free to Kitchen Committees as extra rations, most of the seeds being provided by the Government. Each Camp has one allotted field, cultivated by 100 men who are paid 6d. a day. Apart from these official vegetable fields there are allotments outside the camp which are cultivated by volunteers, the products going to the respective planters; the seeds are provided by the men or by the Markel Committee or the Emergency Committee.
As before stated a large number of the prisoners are engaged in work, the majority for the Government and some for individual employers. The list of working prisoners of war and their rate of pay is appended (EXHIBIT "C"), In this list 400 men are included who work in the vegetable beds mentioned above. As regards the rate of pay for prisoners of war working on private farms, the following rule has been laid down by the Isle of Man Government, dated February 21, 1917 :-
"The farmer will pay the Commandant of the Detention Camp 4.5d for each hour worked by each alien. Of this sum the Commandant will pay 1.5d to the alien as wages, and 3d. to the Government Office towards the maintenance of the alien. Each employer or person acting on behalf of the employer will sign daily a time sheet to show the number of hours work owing to the party and the camp officer or soldier in charge of the party will countersign the sheet and submit it to the camp office."
[6]
Apart from Government work much voluntary work is done in the camp, which is greatly encouraged by the Emergency Committee for the Assistance of Germans, Austrians and Hungarians in distress. Each camp has an Industrial Department which co-operates with this Committee. The Committee helps to obtain raw material, and, what is even more useful, to sell the manufactured articles in neutral countries. The work done consists largely of woodcarving, carpentry, fine metal work and toy-making.
We should like to emphasize here the great value of the splendid work done by the Emergency Committee, which is true to its lofty traditions. Much credit is due to the untiring efforts of its representative in Knockaloe Camp, Mr. Bailey [sic Baily], in helping the prisoners to find occupation which is the best antidote for the bad effects on their mentality of a long internment.
Three large fields of 40, 20 and 18 acres respectively, serve as recreation fields. They are opened for 2 hours a day, provided that at least 50 prisoners from each compound wish to take exercise. The prisoners are marched to the fields under escort
Camp I has its own recreation field, the other three camps sharing two and making their arrangements accordingly. They are grass fields, two being on even ground, where there are tennis courts and a large football ground, and the third being on the slope of a hill. In addition some of the camps have tennis courts within their boundaries.
[7]
Each compound has its own recreation hut subdivided into four compartments
by removable partitions, which is used for theatrical and musical entertainments,
as school and lecture room, gymnasium and workshop. The measurements of these
recreation huts are :-
Length 45 metres
Breadth 19 metres
Height at the side 2.55 m
Height at the side gable 5 m
In this connection we would mention the Prisoners' Aid Society, which has an office in each camp. Its members act as legal advisers to the prisoners and forward to the authorities applications and private claims. There is a Markel Committee in each camp.
Each Compound has an organised school, a part of the recreation hut being set aside for this purpose, Amongst others are classes for the University Entrance Examinations and for Navigation.
Mr. M. Hartmann [sic R Hartmann], formerly a Protestant pastor of the German Church at Birmingham, is interned in Camp I, and holds weekly services in Camps I, II and III. He also officiates at burial services for Protestant prisoners of war. It would be much appreciated if a permit could be granted him to visit hospital patients at regular intervals, Camp IV has its own pastor, Mr. Schmidt, also a prisoner of war.
The Rev. D.L.S. Pocock, M.A. works in the camp under the direction of Bishop Bury. He holds services in Camps II, III and IV in English, and Bible Classes in English and German. He also visits the Isolation Hospital once a month or when requested by a patient. Every second month Pastor Scholten or Pastor Goehling go to Knockaloe and hold services in all the camps.
[8]
The Rev. D. Traynor, assisted by Mr. Steinherr, celebrates Holy Mass in Camps I and IV, and Dean Crookhall in Camps II and III.
A section of the churchyard of St. Patrick's is specially reserved for the burial of prisoners of war. Funerals are arranged by the Sick and Burial Board, which Committee has a Chairman in each camp.
Each prisoner is allowed to write two letters a week, Outgoing letters are censored in London, incoming letters from the United Kingdom at the Camp Censor's office at Knockaloe, and from other countries in London. Letters from Germany take about 3 to 8 weeks.
The censoring of the contents of parcels is done in the presence of the addressee
and a member of the alien postal staff, Food parcels from the United Kingdom
are greatly restricted and the following rules have been laid down by order
of the Isle of Man Government, dated April 21, 1917:-
(1) Food parcels of any description may be received from enemy or neutral countries.
(2) No food parcels may be received from anywhere in the Isle of Man
(3) No provisions may be purchased by prisoners in the United Kingdom, their
power of purchasing is confined to the Canteens.
(4) Food parcels may be received by prisoners direct from relatives in the United
Kingdom, but such parcels may not contain sugar, flour or meat, or any articles
which contain sugar, flour or meat (meat includes flesh meat of every description
as well as game and poultry. Sugar includes syrup).
(5) No relative in the United Kingdom may send food parcels to more than one
prisoner without special authority. Nor may parcels be received the camp from
the United Kingdom which contain food sufficient for more than one prisoner.
[9]
There was a general complaint that the parcels which did not conform with these rules were not returned to the senders, but confiscated and handed over to the Isle of Man workhouse.
The following statistics as to the incoming and outgoing correspondence of
the camp during the week ending April 28. 1917, were given by the Commandant:-
Ordinary letters (outgoing) 27,732
" " (incoming) 13,8675
Registered letters outgoing 428 (Containing £474,18.7.)
Registered letters (incoming)
368 ordinary letters containing remittances 217
Total amount of remittances contained in letters under the last two headings,
£901.11.5.
Ordinary parcels (outgoing) 179
" " (incoming) 5,819
Registered parcels (incoming) 143
Incoming luggage and other packages by rail 141
Minor violation of the camp rules is punished by fatigue work, for instance coal shovelling and road sweeping. The Commandant has the right to punish more serious offences by detention for a period not exceeding 28 days. Gross insubordination and attempted escape are tried by court martial. Interpreters are present at investigations if the accused or the witnesses cannot understand English.
[10]
A hut containing the detention cells for all the camps is attached to Camp I. It contains 70 cells each measuring 7 x 8¼ ft, and provided with a window 2ft 6in x 3ft which leads to a gangway. The cells are furnished with a bed board, straw sack, four blankets and a bench. They are lighted by electric light and the whole detention hut is heated by two stoves. A small yard, measuring 108 x 16 feet, is open to the detained prisoners for a short time. We found all the arrangements of the detention barracks satisfactory.
At the time of our visit 11 prisoners were detained, 1 for stealing a watch
and Government property, 1 for attempted escape, 1 for breaking camp boundaries,
4 for stealing Government property, 1 for destroying Government property, 1
for stealing rations and 2 awaiting trial for assault. These prisoners, with
the exception of the two awaiting trial who were receiving the ordinary camp
rations, are given Diet "B", consisting of:-
Breakfast Bread, 8 oz.
Dinner Porridge, Potatoes, 8 oz. or Turnips, 1 1b. with salt
Supper Bread, 8 oz.
Since November 1914 there have been 41 attempts at escape.
When a visitor relative or friend is on a short stay in the Island he may see a prisoner on three days a week for 30 minutes. When the visitor resides on the Island, 2 visits per month are allowed.
We shall now proceed to describe the separate Camps at Knockaloe, beginning with Camp I. Here we would point out that Compounds 1,2,3, 5 and 6 of this camp have different huts from those in Compound 4 and from any others in the whole of Knockaloe. Camp I has practically the same arrangements as the other camps, so that a detailed account of this camp may be regarded as a description of all the others.
[11]
On the day of our visit 5913 civilian prisoners were interned here; of these 4868 were Germans, 1028 Austrians, 3 Turks and 14 of other nationalities.
Camp I is the nucleus of Knockaloe Detention Camp. It was started in November
1914, and is divided into six Compounds. The Camp is built on almost level ground
and the soil is sandy; board walks, constructed of raw sleepers, surround the
huts and lead from the entrance of each compound to the kitchen. Strict cleanliness
is enforced in all the compounds throughout the four camps. Each compound measures
about 3 acres, (1 hectare), and, with the exception of Compound IV, each contains
5 wooden huts of the followings dimensions:-
Length 45.60 metres,
Breadth 9.20 m
Height at the side 3.05m " at the gable 4.45m
These huts are divided by a [spline] partition into two rooms, wooden bunks, which serve as beds, line the two walls, the outer wall holding two rows, the inner wall three. Each compartment is intended to accommodate 120 men, but at present the actual number is less than this.
[12]
The huts are used by the men as dormitory, dining and sitting room; also as a store place for their luggage and a drying place for their washing. Each hut has two ventilators of the Louvre system, and each compartment is heated by two coal stores and lighted by electricity. They contain large tables where the prisoners take their meals, The doors on the west side are protected by weather screens, the southwest wind being predominant in the Isle of Man.
The huts in Compound IV of this Camp are identical with those in Camp II which we shall describe later. Each bunk is furnished with a straw sack and four blankets, the straw in the sacks being changed every 3 to 6 months. The prisoners are provided with 2 towels, 1 enamel plate, bowl, cup, a knife, fork and spoon. Each hut is provided with 10 fire buckets, and the recreation hut with 30 in case of emergency.
There is a building in each compound containing a room for washing, bathing and drying; also water closets with 50 seats and urinals, automatically flushed with water three times a day, The wash room has an area of 3 x 15 metres, and is furnished with four taps and about 40 enamelled toilet basins. The bathroom adjoining has an area of 4.60 x 15 metres. It contains six shower baths and three hot and three cold taps There is also a drying room 3.20 metres broad, 15 metres long and 3.40 metres high, where there is a boiler heated by coal in which hot water for the shower baths is prepared. The boiler holds about 1.5 cubic metres. An additional boiler is provided to prepare hot water for washing clothes and crockery. There are several taps for cold water throughout the camp. A piece of soap measuring 5 x 6 x 47 centimetres is supplied the use of 11 prisoners each week.
A separate hut is used as kitchen. It is provided with 10 coal boilers, a coal stove for roasting purposes, and a storeroom, measuring 4.60 x 3.10 metres, for the daily rations.
10 prisoners, comprising 1 chef, 2 cooks, 1 storeroom keeper, 2 butchers, 1 stoker and 3 porters, work in the kitchen. The kitchen attendants are paid out of the grant of £30 a month from the canteen fund. The average wages paid per week are: 1 chef 15/-, 1 assistant chef 10/-, 8 attendants 5/-.to 8/-
Each hut has a representative on the Kitchen Committee who is always in attendance during working hours. 672 lb of coal are supplied to the kitchen per day.
The meals are served out in dixies which hold provisions for 10 men; these dixies are carried to the huts where the prisoners take their meals.
The order of the day is as follows-
Hour of rising 6.30 a.m.,
Breakfast 7.15 a.m.
Dinner 12.30 p.m.
Tea 4.30 p.m.
"Lights out" 10.30 p.m.
The dormitories are never locked, but the prisoners are supposed to remain inside the huts from 10.30 p.m. to 7 a.m. in winter and from 10.30 p.m. to 6.30 a.m. in summer, The usual fatigue work such as the cleaning of the huts, board walks, etc., is done by the prisoners voluntarily.
[14]
In each compound the following workers are paid by the Government:- 1 Tailor 1/- a day 3 Shoemakers 8d a day 2 Carpenters 1/- a day.
The carpenters do all the necessary repairs to the huts, all these workers receiving the additional ration for working men. The shoemakers complain that many of the boots are beyond repair, and it seems very difficult for the men to obtain new ones for[sic ?from] the camp administration. Prisoners who have funds in the Camp Bank have to pay for boot repairs. The cleaners of the recreation hall and the board walks, the collectors of waste paper and the prisoner attached to the compound sergeant are not paid, neither do they receive the additional ration for working men.
Each hut has a captain elected by the prisoners and from amongst the hut captain
a chief captain for the compound is chosen. The compound captains who form a
camp committee are as follows:-
Compound 1 H. Ebert
" 2 A.C. Rennemann
" 3 H. Lohmann
" 4 J. F. Meyeringh
" 5 C. Leisebein
" 6 W. Lassen.
Camp I is peculiar in that its compound captains do not represent the camp
to this Legation, This is done by the General Camp Welfare Committee, consisting
of Messrs F. Kilian, C. Knoeppler, G. Buttner, G. Pankal, K. Leisebein, F. Zimmermann,
F. Ludovici, Dr. Fried and Dr Bunse.
[15]
The Prisoners' Aid Society is under the direction of Mr. von Reitzenstein and Mr. Tennhardt. An Education Department with Mr. Moerlins as chairman supervises the instruction and arranges lectures. An Industrial Department, with Mr Blassneck as Chairman deals with handcrafts and provides the tools and raw material. A Relief Committee, directed by Mr. F Mayeringh co-operates with Dr. Markel's Agency for Destitute Prisoners and sees that the money is rightly distributed. The Sick and Burial Board of which Mr. Killian is Chairman collects the last wills and letters of of prisoners who have died, arranges funerals and is responsible for the order and keeping of the churchyard. A Sports and Gymnastic Department, under Mr. Stolz, organises physical drill in the camp. Representatives of all the above mentioned committees unite together in forming the so called "Markel Committee" of Camp I.
A complaint was made that at the eastern entrance to the hut the wind screens are not sufficient to protect the interiors from draught and dust, as north-eastern gales are not infrequent. The Isle of Man is noted for strong winds, and the dust and sand in the air is a feature of the camp. Some of the walls leak. The huts appear over-crowded, not only on account of the number of men, but owing to the fact that luggage and washing are stored in them. The washing, drying and bathing facilities are insufficient for the 1,000 men, but this is a matter which will improve when the new Camp Central Laundry with its large drying room is completed.
[16]
It was also brought to our notice that that the shower baths are liable to get
out of order and that repairs are not so readily effected as might be wished.
A good many of the dixies, in which the meals are brought to the huts, are worn
out and need to be retinned.
The lack of ventilation in the recreation hall when used for large gathering
is very marked. A complaint was made that in Camp I the rats are a nuisance.
It would be greatly appreciated if the prisoners would be allowed freer communication
with the different compounds. This would be of especial benefit to the schools,
as it would enable them to have one large camp school. According to the present
arrangement certain of the teachers must go from one compound to another, giving
lessons in the different schools
Complaints as regards nutrition have been dealt with under the general question
of rations. It is a general complaint that the prisoners have no share in the
administration of the canteen
Camp II consists of 5 compounds. It contains 4782 prisoners, of whom 4279 are
German, 434 Austrians, 4 Turks, 1 Bulgarian and 64 of other nationalities.
Each compound contains huts for dormitories, a recreation hall, a bathing and
washing hut and a kitchen, which is the same as that in Camp I.
[17]
Camp II has the standard dormitory huts identical with those of the whole of
Knockaloe Camp excepting those mentioned in Camp I. These huts are raised from
the ground by means of small brick columns, and have the following dimensions
Length 55 metres
Breadth 4.60m
Height at the side 2,40m
" " gable 3.40m
Wooden partitions separate each hut into 3 rooms, containing respectively 3
tables, each to seat 10 men. There are usually no bunks in these huts except
in cases where sailors have arranged them for themselves. The bedsteads are
of wood, some of them being somewhat shabby.
Each room has one stove and 112lbs of coal is provided per day to each hut in
winter time, which seems to be sufficient. Each table has an electric light
of 32 candle power.
Weather screens are provided as in Camp I; the huts have no ventilators.
Prisoners' Organisation
Messrs. J. Beck, F Schellhauser, J. Keuerleber, E Kalkschmidt and H. Weigert
are the Compound Captains. The Prisoners' Aid Society is represented by Messrs.
Curt, Spiecker and Oskar Martin. Mr J. Gerger represents the Markel Committee.
The complaints with regard to the huts are the same as in Camp I, though the
lack of ventilation is noticeable. The prisoners suggest that 8, instead of
of 10 should be seated at one table. Weather screens are needed on all the outside
doors. The other complaints mentioned in Camp I were repeated in Camp II.
[18]
This camp is situated on the highest ground in Knockaloe. It has 5 compounds
and contains 4841 prisoners, of whom 4237 are Germans, 419 Austrians, 18 Turks,
18 Bulgarians and 31 others.
The compounds vary in size from 0.99 hectares to 1.90 hectares.
The compound captains are Messrs. E Bergmann, O. Hull, H. Vahlsing, R. Peltzer
and F. von Marchtaler.
Mr K. Glock and Mr W. Busch represent the Prisoners' Aid Society and Mr C.Ross
and Mr Miemann the Markel Committee.
The Camp III has a general camp workshop under the care of Mr. Niemann in a
special hut near the Headquarters. The graphical work done in this workshop
is quite remarkable. (see Exhibit A)
The schools include a preparatory class for the Universities Entrance Examination
(Abiturium) and a nautical Class. It would be a great stimulant to the schools
if they could be assured that examinations held in the camp would be recognised
by the German Government.
The complaints are the same as those mentioned in the other camps. Sprecial
stress was laid upon the worn-out condition of the dixies. The wind seems to
be especially trying in this camp as it is very much exposed.
This camp has 7 compounds, each with an area of about 1.44 hectares.
[19]
It contains 5481 prisoners, of whom 4244 are Germans, 1119 Austrians, 65 Turks,
2 Bulgars and 51 of other nationalities.
The huts and other compound arrangements are the same as those of Camps II and
III.
The workshops and prisoners organisations are very strongly developed in Camp
IV; Messrs Herrenbruck, Fischer, Boch, Dietsch, Lehmann, Papst and Gerber represent
the compounds; the Prisoners Aid Society is represented by Messrs. Herrenbruck
and Winter, while Mr S. Echmann represents the Markel Committee.
All the committees are centralized in the Central Committee, the Secretary of
which is Mr. Kny. Through this committee permits are delivered to the prisoners
to go from one compound to another, thus facilitating education and other work.
In Compound VII there are a number prisoners who come from the German colonies and other tropical parts. They live in 4 huts, two of which serve as dormitories and 2 as sitting rooms. In each section of the dormitory huts 20 men are accomodated. In the same compound 111 boys are interned, two of 16, ten of 17, fifty-four of 18, twenty-eight of 19 and seventeen of 20 years. Most of them are "ship's boys" and have been interned since 1914. They live in two huts, one set apart entirely for the boys, the other shared by adults. Unfortunately the huts where the boys live are on the lowest ground in the camp and are consequently somewhat damp.
The complaints brought before us are the same as those we heard in the other
camps, with the addition that the prisoners from the tropics feel that the huts
are not absolutely proof against the damp and windy weather prevalent in the
Isle of Man. [20]The Kitchen Committee complains that the canteen does not supply
sufficient vinegar and onions for the preparation of the herrings; it would
be appreciated if the herrings could be smoked.
We would add that the morality of the boy prisoners is endangered through contact
with the other prisoners and it would be most advisable if they could be placed
in separate quarters under the care of a man of good education and character,
e.g. a missionary or pastor.
Camp IV has within its boundaries a recreation gound, measuring about 1 hectare, containing several tennis courts and allotments where vegetables are grown.
On May 13 1917 I paid a visit to Noble's Hospital, near Douglas. This is a
fine new building, erected in 1912.
The medical staff consists of Dr Woods, surgeon, Dr Mackenzie, physician, Dr
Cordiner, resident medical Officer, Mr James dentist and trained hospital nurses.
The hospital, which is built on modern lines, has an excellent operating room
and an X-ray department. A large ward has been set aside for the prisoners of
war; [21] it is clean, airy, and looks very comfortable. The bedsteads are of
iron with horse hair mattresses. The sheets are changed weekly.
On the day of my visit there were, in this ward, 11 patients - 10 Germans and
1 Turk. They were suffering from the following diseases :- Rectal fistula, appendicitis,
paralysis of the vocal cord (syphilis?), fractura femoris, fractura antebrachii,
strictura urethrae, cholelithiasis, (operated), ulcus ventriculi, empyema pleurae
(operated 19.3,17, getting on well), cancer of the stomach, As the last case
was becoming very bad, it was isolated in a small ward.
The menu is as follows:-
6.30 a.m. Tea, 6 slices of bread and butter.
10 a.m. 1/2 pint of milk
12.300 p.m. Meat, 1 potato, pudding
4 p.m. Tea, 6 slices of bread and butter
7 p.m. 1/2 pint of milk
The prisoners made no complaints; the food is sufficient. Our general impression
is that prisoners in this hospital are well-treated and that all the arrangements
are good and up-to-date.
Each Camp has its own hospital and two doctors, one resident, one visiting.
All the doctors are civilian medical practioners from the Island.
In a special compound, near Camp II and overlooking the whole of Knockaloe,
stands the so-called Isolation Hospital, where the prisoners suffering from
consumption are sent. Adjoining a large hospital for [22] infectious diseases
is under construction, part being already finished.
Colonel W.J.King, I.M.S.,A.D.M.S., Western Command, superintends the Sanitary
Arrangements in the camp. Dr. Freer and Dr. Hicky are attached to Camp I; Dr
Sugden and Dr. Kelman to Camp II; Dr. Roe and Dr. Kitchin to Camp III; Dr. McGeagh
and Dr. Templeton to Camp IV. The Isolation Hospital is under the direction
of Dr. Kitchin. A German prisoner of war, Dr. Ravensburg, (qualified Jena, 1905)
is attached to the medical staff of the hospital in Camp II.
The total number of deaths from all causes since the opening of the camp in
November 1914 up to April 30, 1917, is 103. The number of prisoners of war on
January 1. 1916 was 21305; on January 1. 1915 21698. From January 1. 1917 to
April 30. 1917 23 deaths have occured, from the following causes:- 9 Tuberculosis
of the lungs, 1 Tubercular Meningitis, 6 Heart Disease, 1 Bronchitis, 1 Pneumonia,
1 Cancer of the liver, 1 Cerebral Embolism and 3 suicides.
Since the opening of the camp 81 cases of lunacy have been transferred to the
Isle of Man Asylum, near Douglas; 17 of these have been transferred since January
1. 1917. We were told that no epidemic disease had ocurred in Knockaloe so far,
with the exception of influenza during last winter.
No provision has been made for operating in the camp. All cases requiring an operation and certain bad medical cases are transferred to Noble's Hospital at Douglas. Dr. Stevenson, an Eye Specialist [23] from Liverpool visits the camp from time to time.
In each camp a room is set aside for the work of the Bitish dentists, each of which has a German assistant. Sets of artificial teeth are provided when necessary through the Markel Committee. In some of the camps dentist prisoners of war also work
The hospotal in this camp contains 3 wards, one measuring 16 x 6 metres, the second 14 x 8 metres and the third 10 x 8 metres. The height of the hut is 3 metres at the side and 5 metres at the gable.
10 German prisoners act as attendants, 3 of whom are trained. They are paid 4d to 8d a day. The hospital has 70 beds, which are of iron according to the British Army Hospital Pattern. The mattresses are filled with straw and each patient has a blankets; sheets are changed once a week.
The hospital has its own kitchen and bathrooms.
As regards the hospital diet, the following order, dated April 17 1917, has been issued by Colonel King:-
Until further notice the diet to be used in hospitals will be the ordinary diet and milk diet. By ordinary diet is meant the diet formed on the basis of rations issued to prisoners of war in this camp. By milk diet is meant the following:-
Bread 12oz
Sugar 1oz
Milk 3pints
Margarine 1oz
Rices 2ozIt is within the discretion of the medical officers to order such addition to either the milk diet or the ordinary diet as they may think necessary in the actual interest of recovery, or to frame adiet complete in very special cases. It must, however, [24]be borne in mind that a patient who is capable of eating ordinary diet rarely requires additional nourishment."
The extras to be had in the hospital are barley water, 2ozs. of barley, rice, gruel, oatmeal, lemonade, blancmange, sago, tapioca, arrowroot, beef-tea, milk. Other extras are allowed when spercially required.
We saw 49 cases in the hospital amongst which were 5 cases of established or suspected Tuberculosis of the lungs, one Tuberculosis of the hip jopint, one Aneurism of the aorta, one Tuberculosis of the kidneys, one Tuberculosis of the testis, one Tuberulosis of the glands, several heart case, one Tabes.
The hospital in this camp has 9 German attendants of whom 3 are trained. It
consists of three wards, each measuring 19 x 4.60 metres, the height being 2.30
metres at the side and 3.10 metres at the gable.
There are 51 beds in this hospital, of which 44 are at present occupied. It
has one hot and cold tub bath, 3 water closets, a washing and a dressing room.
Among the cases now in the hospital we would mention the suspected cases of
Tuberculosis of the lungs, 1 Hemiplegia (10 months ago), 1 ulcer of the stomach,
1 Menieres Disease, 1 atrophy of the optic nerve (visus almost totally lost)
1 Pneumonia, 1 old Dysentry.
The out-patients was attended by 60 patients.
[25]
In this hospital are 9 German attendants, 3 of whom are trained, and one German
physician, Dr. Ravensberg. The hospital has 50 beds, and at the time of our
visit it contained 23 in-patients. Amongst others we would mention one case
of bad Emphysema, one Chloelithiasis, several heart cases, one Nephritis, one
case of suspected Tubercular Peritonitis.
The out-patients' department was attended by 25 cases.
The hospital comprises two sick wards and a recreation ward, of the same measurements
as those in Camp II hospital. A disadvantage in this hospital is that the coal
bunker for the camp is situated nearby and consequently on windy days it is
filled with coal dust
This hospital has 10 German attendants of whom 4 are trained. It contains 4
wards, including one recreation ward, of the same dimensions as those in Camps
II and III, and has in all 60 beds. This is the best hospital in the camp as
regards order, arrangements and comfort.
At the time of our visit there were 30 in-patients and 75 out-patients. Among
the in-patients we saw 2 cases of bad Epilepsy, 2 Hemiplegia, 1 Anaemia following
Malaria, 1 Tuberculosis of the lungs, 1 Tubercular Peritonitis, 1 Prostatic
Disease (aged 56), 1 Nephritis(aged 56), one Tabes.
[26]
The Isolation Hospital contains three Blocks, Block A with 8 wards, Block B with 4 wards and Block C with 8 tents. Block A has 56 patients, Block B 37, Block C 3. In Block A there are 56 cases of Tuberculosis of the lungs, in Block B 26 cases of Tuberculosis of the lungs and 11 mental cases, and in Block C two cases of Syphilis and one mental case.
Blocks A and B each have a captain, that of A being Mr. Andres and that of Block B Mr. Rocco. Block B used to be a hospital for infectious diseases, but owing to the increase of Tuberculosis it is now filled with Phthisis cases. It was found, therefore, that a new quarantine hospital was necessary, and as before stated, this hosptal, capabale of accommodating 400 patients, is now under construction. It is being built by prisoners of war who receive 1/- a day.
Block A has 13 German attendants. It contains 6 water closets, six shower baths and 3 tub baths. 4 of the wards have each 11 cases, and a fifth 5 cases of Tuberculosis of the lungs in the 1st and 2nd stages. In one ward there were 7 rather bas cases, one suffering from Tubercular Menigitis, being in a dying condition.
Block B, with 4 wards as mentioned above, contains 1 tub bath and 6 water closets.
In one ward there are 11 so called "mental observation" cases, which
include three bad cases of epilepsy and several cases of different pyschosis.
The three other wards contain 26 cases of Tuberculosis of the lungs, of which
several are serious.
[27]
Three of the tents in Block C are in use, of the three patients two are under treatment for syphilis and 1 for neurasthenia.
The Captains of the Isolation Hospital handed us a memorandum in which great stress was laid on the necessity of repatriation of men suffering from Tuberculosis. Such a measure should include sick seamen. Many of the patients cannot eat herrings every day. It was complained that the lavatory is too near the wards and the kitchen and that the water taps are insufficient (only one in the hospital)!
The foremost need is the repatriation of all eligible invalids. I most earnestly
hope that such a measure will be carried out before long in
spite of the difficulties of transport.
It is most earnestly requested that measures be taken to prevent the sporead
of tubercular infection. We have already recommended the examination by an expert
of all out-patients, especially those suffering from Anaemia, and the segregation
of all cases of incipient Tuberulosis. These cases out to recieve special care
and additional food.
An occsional visit from an Ear Specialist is much desired, as there are many
prisoners suffering from ear trouble
[28]
The difficulties peculiar to every civilian Internment Comp are perhaps more evident at Knockaloe than at any other place of internment in the United Kingdom. For instance, the internees, have never been accustomed to the restrictions and military discipline which are unavoidable in an detention camp, and they are also of extremely heterogenous types as regards age (between 16 and 64), social standing, personal character and health. A soldier knows that it is the fortune of war if he be taken prisoner, but civilians are inclined to question the legality of their internment, thereby adding bitterness to their discomforts. With regard to the mentality of the men at Knockaloe, we found it was not so good as might be desired. This state of mind may be attributed to the long duration of internment, to the enormous size of the camp, to the reduced rations and to the presence of the sick and old amongst the prisoners.
The long period of internment has produced in many of the prisoners a certain psychosis which mental specialists call "barbed wire psychosis". This is characterised by a gradual loss of memory, irritability and a continual concentration of the mind upon certain aspects of camp conditions.
The uniformity of the twenty-three self contained compounds, the complete separation of one camp from the other and the formalities which prisoners have to undergo in order to move from one compound to another are great drawbacks, and the organization of the prisoners on this account, somewhat impeded. It is true that passes are usually given for prisoners to visit other compounds, but unrestricted movement in this respect would be an advantage,
The principal complaints brought to our notice were those concerning the food supplies. The reduction of the rations is much felt by the men, but what appears to affect them even more is the impossibility of buying additional food at the canteen,
A most depressing factor is the total suspension of repatriation since February last, not only for those numbering about 8000 already selected, but also for those who remain behind. It is most earnestly to be hoped that repatriation will be resumed as soon ae possible, despite the existing difficulties.
Taking into account the state of mind of the internees, it is highly noticeable that we heard practically no complaints against the Commandant, Colonel F. W. Panzera, or against any of the Sub-Commandants. These officers are greatly appreciated by the men and they deserve much credit for their able and tactful handling of the 20,000 prisoners placed under their charge. It is due to the efforts of Colonel Panzera that fields have been secured where the Prisoners can grow vegetables,from which the Camp will derive great benefit. The Commandant and his officers take the greatest interest in the social and charity organizations, and they encoarage the men in their efforts by their presence at dramatic and musical entertainments.
Most of the complaints with which we dealt in the course of thie report have already been brought to the attention of the camp authorities and of the Home Office, and every assurance has been given that they will receive prompt consideration, especially those complaints relating to prisoners of war under 20 years of age and to the question of tuberculosis.
In conclusion we may add that on May 26. 1917, a new dietary was issued showing an improvement in the rationing. (EXHIBIT "D").
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