HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2026
[From HO 45/10946/266042/156 + some material in FO 383/189 + FO 383/122]
It would appear that there was a disturbance between several internees - one who appeared to be the target of attack ran for protection to the sentry at the gate to the compound, closely followed by his opponents - the sentry having a violent disturbance too near to the gate resorted to his loaded rifle, wounding three internees including one innocent party August Uccusic - a 39year old Austrian from Viena, living prewar in Leeds. His own account is well stated in this letter to the American Embassy.
A.Uccusic, No.21507, Camp 4, Compound 2, Hut 5A, at present in Hospital of Camp 4, Knockaloe, I.0.M.
April 16, 1916.
[To] His Excellency The American Ambassador, London.
Your Excellency,
Being again able to remember what happened I beg to bring to Your Excellency's notice the following details of how I was shot:- After dinner on April 6th I went to the common hut of the compound to give a violin lesson. I was trying the instrument when I heard a shot. I opened the back door of the hut which faces the entrance gate of the compound and looked out. I saw the Head Captain of the compound making signs to some men to go back to their huts, and as I also noticed that the sentry outside the gate was loading his rifle again, I quickly stepped back from the door after having closed it. Hardly had I done so when I felt hit by a bullet which entered low at the neck and came out on the cheek. I feel[sic fell] forward on the steps leading up to the stage.
What happened later on I cannot exactly recall. I only beg to state further that I am utterly at a loss to explain the sentry's action, and I beg Your Excellency to institute kindly an inquiry and see what compensation I can obtain
I am &c August Uccusic
The Home Office having had reports that shots had been fired, quickly asked for a report - the letter from the Government Secretary was on file but not the Commandant's report
GOVERNMENT OFFICE ISLE OF MAN.10th April 1916,
Sir,
I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to transmit to you herewith a copy of the weekly report of the Commandant of Knockaloe Camp for the week ended 8th April.
With regard to the recent disturbance in Camp 4, I am to state that two of the prisoners of war who were injured Nos.21363 and 20984 received only slight wounds in the foot and buttock respectively, No.21507 was shot through the neck and cheek but appears to be making good progress.
The alien who caused the trouble was transferred to Douglas Camp, but he was identified on arrival there and had to be isolated. Application has been made for his transfer to England.
With regard to the outbreak of Spotted Fever I am to state that every precaution is being taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
I am &c B E Sargeaunt
It was however Uccusic's question as to compensation for the accidental injury he suffered that raised the major debate within the Home Office as may be seen by one of the cover notes to the file dated 30.5.16 .
From enquiries made it appears that no claim for compensation for injuries received in a similar manner has been made in any Camp under War Office control. In coming to a decision precedent might be consulted as to compensation paid to civilians for injuries received during civil riots. It must, however, be borne in mind that if compensation be given in this case a large number of applications are almost bound to be received from the Camps for compensation for any minor injury or disablement.
Though they must have had some sympathy for Ussusic as the note added
At Ussusic's request we are arranging to remove him to Islington, which seems to be a favourite Camp.
By early July they had decided that they would not admit any claims for compensation unless they were sure of reciprocity with the Germans - as seen from the letter from them to the Foreign Office who were responsible for dealing with Germany - they also requested that the Americans inform Ussusic that he would not be getting any financial compensation.
[to Secretary of State Foreign Office [from home office]
11th July, 1916,
Sir,
With reference to your Note of the 6th May (84480/16/O) and the 18th May (93708/A.6/P), enclosing copies of notes from the United States Ambassador with reference to the wounding of three German civilians interned in the Isle of Man, and a claim for Compensation by August Uccusic, I am directed by Mr, Secretary Samuel to say, for the information of Secretary Sir Howard Grey, that he has caused enquiries to be made and is informed that the disturbances occurred in one of the compounds in Knockaloe Camp by a prisoner being attacked by his fellow prisoners and taking shelter with the Sentry at the Compound Gate. The Sentry ordered the prisoners who were pressing round him to disperse but they refused to do so and the Sentry had to fire several times with the result that three prisoners were wounded, viz:- August Uccusic, Peter Dreyer and Alfred Marstedt, Uccusic was shot through the neck and cheek, Dreyer through the foot and Marstedt through the buttock: the prisoners are all convalescent and none of their injuries will permanently affect their health. With regard to Uccusic it is understood that the account given by himself as to how he was hit is correct, that he was not one of the prisoners who pressed round the Sentry, and was perfectly innocent in the matter.
With regard to Uccusic's claim for compensation I am to say that this is the first case in which any such claim has been made in a camp under Home Office control, and Mr. Samuel understands that no claim has been made in a camp under War Office control. Mr. Samuel further understands from an unofficial Communication with the Foreign Office that the British Government has not yet made any claim for compensation on the German Government for injuries done to a British subject interned in Germany though there must be numerous cases where injuries have been sustained. Mr. Samuel suggests that this claim for compensation should not be entertained or at all events should only be entertained if the German Government are prepared to entertain applications in respect of injuries to British Subjects.
I am &c John Pedder
It is not clear whether the transfer to Islington took place - however Ussusic was given an early repatriation from Stratford on the 9th Oct 1916;
The internee who, it was claimed, caused the trouble would appear to be Hans Heinrich Storrer who was transferred to Douglas on the evening of 7th April 1916 (officially noted on camp count from the 8th) as "he was mixed up in some shooting there yesterday" as noted in Madoc's daily log which goes on to note "This last prisoner was in trouble before he had been in camp 3 hours & was put in cells for fighting with another man against whom he had given evidence". Two days later, on the Sunday, Madoc writes "I went into the case of 4415 H Storrer & decided to keep him in the cells until he can be removed from the island: 4184 W Janecke having been detained since the 7th I dismissed with a caution.". William Janecke had been transferred to Douglas from Liverpool Prison in November 1915 - there is also an entry in one of the surviving Knockaloe letter books dated 27.April.1916 -" letter from PoW[H H Storrer] thru American Embassy to Commrs Police New Scotland Yard - passed to Cmndnt Douglas";
Storrer however was transferred back to Knockaloe on the 12th Jan 1917 after which I cannot find any record - probably one of the several thousand who were repatriated in early 1919 through Ripon for which only partial records exist.
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