Text + Transcription © F.Coakley , 2020
9, Carlton Ho Terrace
London, S, . July 12th. 1915.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report covering a visit of inspection
to the Prisoner of War Internment Camps at Wakefield (Lofthouse Park); Stobs,
N.B.; Lancaster; Douglas, Isle of Man; Knockaloe, Peel, Isle of Man; Oldcastle,
Co. Meath, Ireland; Dyffryn Aled, Llansannan, Abergele, N. Wales; Frongoch,
nr. Bala, p. Wales; Leigh; Handforth; and Shrewsbury.
The first Camp visited was Lofthouse Park at Wakefield on June 14 [1915].
This Camp was visited by Mr. Jackson on February 13. last. (See Page 23 of his
printed report). Since his visit the Camp has been increased in size. There
were 1186 prisoners in three Compounds on the day of my inspection.
In what was known as the Southern Compound fifteen huts were occupied and the
large central skating-rink or dancing-hall, described in Mr. Jackson's report.
There were 486 men in this Compound.
A very well equipped Gymnasium had been installed and was in use. Also a hospital
of 50 beds and a dining-hall for the use of the men, who slept in the old skating-rink.
There were twenty-four shower-baths, with two wash-houses, a kitchen, a dry canteen, a laundry and a so-called "Winter Garden", full of palms and evergreens in pots, used for receiving visitors and as a work-room for the tailors.
Only German cooks were employed. All of the prisoners in this Compound paid for extra food, except for 80 or 90, who slept in the skating-rink.
The North-Eastern Compound held 503 prisoners in twenty-three huts. These huts
were of the standard army pattern - 60 feet long by 20 feet broad, with a door
at either end and five windows on each side. These huts are precisely similar
to those in use at the Camp on the Island of Jersey, which were described in
a previous report.
One hut was used as a post-office and another as a canteen. All of the prisoners
in this Compound paid for extra food.
A recreation hut - about 100 feet by 40 feet - was being erected and was nearly completed.
In the meantime the Y.M.C.A. had supplied a large tent fitted with a piano, tables, chairs, a stage, etc. etc., to be used as a recreation and study room.
Virtually all of the prisoners in this Compound had started flower and vegetable gardens and grass plots about their houses. This was done voluntarily and for their own amusement and recreation.
The North-Western Compound contained fifteen huts, each 100 feet long and 17
feet broad and built of corrugated iron instead of wood, as in the other compounds
.
It held 221 prisoners , of whom only 26 were paying for extra food. The others
were poor men, who had just been removed from Dorchester and were unable to
pay for extras.
Two of the huts in this Compound were being used for recreation purposes.
This Compound had only recently been made and did not look as well cared for
as the others, which had been lived in longer.
In this Camp there were shoemakers' and tailors' shops and a carpenter's shop.
Religious services were held in the Y.M.C.A tent and in the "'Winter Garden".
There were three tennis-courts in use and a fourth being made. There are two
turf recreation fields, where the prisoners were playing hockey and other ball
games at the time of my visit.
The Gymnasium is available for use all day and the men in the several compounds
arrange among themselves, when they shall use it, so as to prevent overcrowding.
All of the buildings of the Camp are heated by stoves and lighted by electricity.
There is a modern water-closet system throughout the Camp.
In each Compound is a Library, Supplied with German and English books.
I visited each of the Compounds alone and talked with the prisoners, who had
any questions to ask or any complaints to make. There were no complaints as
to the food or treatment.
Men, who pay for extra food, may have light wine and beer.
Most of the prisoners from the Cameroons are at this Camp.
All prisoners are allowed newspapers, books and magazines freely.
The total area enclosed by the Camp is about 15 acres.
This Camp is used chiefly for civilians of the better class, who desire and
can afford to pay for extra food, cooked in the manner they like best.
The poorer prisoners do their own laundry-work, but the prisoners, who can afford
to pay, have their work done at the laundry in the Camp, This gives employment
to a number of the poorer prisoners, for which: they are paid.
Wakefield Camp seems to enjoy an excellent reputation among the prisoners in
Great Britain and all of the civilians, who can afford to pay for extra food
and desire to associate with men of their own class, seek to be sent there
None of the prisoners expressed any dissatisfaction with the conditions.
Note. Canteen Price List and General Rules attached to copy of report sent to
Berlin.
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or omissions gratefully received The
Editor Text + Transcription © F.Coakley , 2020 |
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