Text + Transcription © F.Coakley , 2020
I have the honor to submit the following report covering a visit of inspection to the Prisoner of War Internment Camp at LOFTHOUSE PARK, WAKEFIELD, on January 8. 1916.
This Camp was visited by Mr.Jackson on February 13, 1915 and by Mr. Lowry on June 14, 1915.
The particulars of the Camp are practically the same as when these visits were made except that the number of prisoners now interned is 1449 (of whom 115 are Austrians and 4 Turks) These prisoners are practically equally divided among the three Compounds.
Several of the men have been permitted to purchase and erect their own portable huts, but the War Office Engineers have now prohibited more of these huts from being put up.
I visited each of the three Compounds with the Commandant during the morning, and afterwards returned unattended, and spent two hours in each compound with the men.
There were many complaints of a general character but these appeared to be due more to the mental attitude of the prisoners than to any great hardships they have to endure.
The principal points raised were:-
There has been difficulty in getting Coal and Coke to the Camp, but this is now overcome. There were sufficient stoves in each Camp, in addition to which the men, who have built cubicles in the huts are allowed their own stoves for each cubicle.
Prisoners complain that the length of time allowed for them to interview their friends (one half hour, once a month) is not sufficient, especially when the latter have to come from a distance, This is a War Office regulation enforced in all camps, but the Commandants in exceptional circumstances frequently allow longer interviews.
In this connection complaint is made that the size of the paper permitted is inadequate, and that there is undue delay in the transmission from abroad of correspondence.
Prisoners object to the monotony of the diet. The Government furnishes a daily ration of frozen beef, varied occasionally by mutton
Almost all the prisoners pay for extra food, but the government grants full rations for each man. Complaints were made that flour had to be paid for, but full allowance of bread is issued. The men complain that the kitchens were somewhat small and the facilities for preparing food and washing dishes restricted.
The prisoners complain, apparently not without reason, that there is not sufficient water for baths, wash-houses, and so forth, and I think this is borne out by the facts which were brought to the attention of the Commandant, who promises to look into the matter with a view to bettering these conditions.
I also visited the Hospital, in which there were 57 cases. There are in attendance 1 British Doctor, 1 German Doctor, 4 Royal Army Medical Corps Doctors' Orderlies, and 6 Orderlies selected from the prisoners of war.
There were apparently no serious cases, the patients were suffering mostly from colds, rheumatism and malaria.
The physical condition of the men throughout the entire camp seemed good. They are, however, mostly of the better class and not skilled in any kind of manual work, in consequence of which time hangs heavily on their hands. This together with the present weather conditions, which make it difficult for them to take advantage of the facilities provided for out-door exercise, seems to have created a feeling of discontent and unhappiness, a state of mind, which in a large measure accounts for the foregoing complaints. The men also feared that strong disciplinary measures would follow upon the change of Commandants, which has recently taken place, but their fears had not been realised at the time of my visit.
I have the honor to be, Sir
Your obedient Servant,
LELAND H. LITTLEFIELD.
Special Attaché.
March 25, 1916.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit herewith a report covering a visit of inspection
to the Prisoners of War Internment Camp at Wakefield, Yorkshire, which I made
on March 16 1916 accompanied by Mr. Buckler, special attache in Charge of the
Austrian Division.
The camp is under the general supervision of the Commander of the northern Command and the Commandant is Lt. Col. G. F Cattell.
On the day of my visit there were 1457 civilian prisoners at the camp, of whom
1334 were German, and 120 were Austrian and 3 were Turks.
There are the usual "Lowry "and "Markel" Committees at this
Camp. Besides these committees there is a Kitchen Committee, a Sports Committee
and an Amusement Committee. All these Committees are chosen and run by the prisoners
themselves.
There has been no change in the sleeping accommodations since the last visit
of inspection. They were examined and found clean, and neat, well-warmed, well-heated
and well-ventilated.
There has been no change in the sanitary arrangements since the last inspection,
The latrines, urinals, baths and ablution sheds were examined and found clean
and odourless.
There were four wards, 2 large wards and 2 smaller ones for purposes of isolation,
in the charge of one doctor. There was one day nurse, one night nurse and 17
attendants, of whom 5 were English and 12 German. On the day of my visit there
were 41 patients in the wards. There were no critical cases, but one man was
suffering from bad ear trouble, due to mastoiditis. The other patients were
suffering from nerves, colds, rheumatism and stomach trouble.
One prisoner, suffering from compound fracture of the right leg, is now in St.
John's Nursing Home, Wakefield, for treatment, and is doing well.
Special latrines are attached to the infirmaries. Everything was examined and
found clean and neat and in good condition.
There were 3 kitchens in the charge of 42 cooks, all of whom were German. The
men arrange their own bill of fare. The entire cooking and messing arrangements
are managed by the prisoners themselves, and they may order exactly what they
like, in addition to the usual Government Rations. The Head Cooks are all chefs
from large hotels. The kitchens were examined and found neat and clean and the
food looked and seemed to be of good utility, A copy of the amended scale of
rations is hereto annexed. (EXHIBIT A) *
All the work is voluntary except for the cleaning of the camp, which is done
by camp cleaners, who are paid for their work.
The prisoners amuse themselves with music, garden. painting, etc., and in all
three of the compounds there are theatricals, concerts, etc., which are given
once or twice a week. They have classes for languages and attend lectures. There
are also good opportunities for carpentering, wood-carving, etc.
There was an exercise ground of about 3 acres, where the men may play tennis,
hockey and football, in dry weather. In each compound there were skittles lanes
and billiard tables. They also take route marches in the surrounding neighbourhood.
The chief complaints in this camp were the condition of the roads and paths,
which are, at this season of the year, very muddy, and the inconvenience in
obtaining hot and cold water for washing. In regard to the latter complaint,
I was assured that the water pressure in this part of the country is rather
low, but that attention would be given to the matter.
There were also many prisoners, who thought that they should be repatriated.
The condition of the roads and playing-fields in this camp was found unsatisfactory
as the mud, particularly in the Northern Compound, was deep. This was doubtless
owing to the fact that it had been raining steadily for many days, and upon
the day I visited the camp it was pouring hard. I am taking this matter up with
the proper authorities to see what can be done,
The main difficulty in this camp seems to be that many of the prisoners are of the better class, and have realy nothing to do and, no way of occupying their time except by dwelling upon the hardships of imprisonment, many of them. have their servants to do work for then: and they find the days very long and wearisome, particularly during bad weather.
The prisoners publish fortnightly a paper, a copy of which is hereto attached.
(EXHIIBIT B)*. In it there is an article on "Barbed Wire Sickness",
which will explain the mental condition of the men to a great extent.
There was one man in cells for disorderly conduct. The cells were examined and
found to be the usual Army pattern, dry and well-warmed.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant, (Signed) BOYLSTON A. BEAL. Special Attache.
[note Exhibits were not included]
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