© F.Coakley , 2025
This memo was inserted within the file holding the 1920 report on the PoWIB activities, probably retyped from an original as it added "see appendix I" following most entries - some text was lost in the tight binding (shown as "[]" ).
The PoWIB maintained a large database growing to some 600,000 names using manual entry of data onto a number of card indexes - the Main Card index used was keyed against a "Serial Number" generated in sequential order by the PoWIB and used as a reference number in the lists sent to enemy governments and certain other organisations - this "Serial Number" was not used by the Internment Camps which each had their own numbering scheme - somewhat confusingly termed "General Number" by the PoWIB - for use within the specific camp. The PoWIB thus also maintained an index for each camp keyed on that camp's "General Number".
A count of the number of prisoners held, and their nationality was required to be transmitted daily to the PoWIB.
PRISONERS OF WAR INFORMATION BUREAU
49 Wellington Street W.C.2.
Instructions regarding the chief Forms to be rendered to the Prisoners of War Information Bureau.
A copy of I.B/402, (or Form I.B/402(a) as circumstances require) should be sent DAILY to the Information Bureau.
Form I.B/1 is an individual Return, to be completed in respect of each prisoner, if it has not already been sent in from a previous place of internment.
If the prisoner is not himself able to complete Part II of the Form, should be filled up at his dictation, OR IF HE HAS DIED OR BEEN RELEASED OR REPATRIATED BEFORE ITS COMPLETION, FROM SUCH INFORMATION AS MAY BE AVAILABLE. This form should be furnished together with I.B.82 (See paragraph 7), or if, owing to pressure of work, this is found to be imracticable, Form I.B.1 should be rendered IN ADVANCE OF FORM I.B.82. If it is not possible to render I.B.1 at once in respect of a large party prisoners, the forms should be rendered in daily batches (See paragraph 4)
Form I.B.2 is a Nominal Roll of Prisoners of War admitted to the Camp. In the first column should be entered the "General No." assigned the prisoner. This is the Serial No. assigned to each prisoner on the Register of the Camp, for purposes of identification. General Nos. should allotted CONSECUTIVELY, as prisoners are received, and should be entered CONSECUTIVELY on Form I.B.2. The same number should never be used over again.
A separate series of numbers should NOT be used for Officers, either in Hospitals or in Officer Camps. Officers' servants should be entered the same Register as the Officers.
Form I.B.3 is a Nominal Roll of Prisoners of War transferred to another place of internment (Camp, Hospital, Prison), released, repatriated, deceased, escaped or recaptured.
In entering up the Register in the case of transferred prisoners the name should be entered IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY APPEAR ON FORM I.B.3. General No.s will then be assigned on the Register and reproduced in column (3) of Form I.B.3. In this way the General No.s will be consecutive, as in the case of Form I.B.2.
Further instructions as to the use of Form I.B.3 will be found on the form itself.
It sometimes happen that prisoners are transferred from their former place of internment before there has been time for I.B.1 to be completed. Column (12) is then left blank, and I.B.1 has to [be] rendered from the second place of internment.
Form I.B.2 or Form I.B.3 (as the case may be) should be rendered to the Bureau as soon as possible after the arrival of a prisoner, or his release, repatriation, decease, escape or recapture. In the case of arrivals, the form should be accompanied by the relative Forms I.B.1. Where the prisoners arriving are transfers from another place of internment Form I.B.1 will, as stated above, not be required, if the word "Yes" has been entered in column 12 of Form I.B.3.
If the number of prisoners arriving at one time is so large [that] the furnishing of the relative Forms I.B.1 with Form I.B.2 (or Form []) for all the prisoners together will take several days, then Forms I.B.1 should, as stated at (2) be rendered in daily batches, but they must be accompanied by such part of Form I.B.2 (or Form I.B.3) as relates to Form I.B.1.
Prisoners whose departure from a place of internment is notified in Form I.B.3 MUST BE ACCOUNTED FOR in Part (3) of I.B.402
Form I.B.11 should be rendered as occasion arises in respect of prisoners admitted into the "Camp Hosital" for other than minor ailments or discharged therefrom after treatment. The discharge should be noted in all cases in which the admission has been notified.
If, however, a prisoner is transferred to a Prisoner of War Hospital or Military Hospital or to a Civil Hospital, Infirmary or Asylum, the transfer should be noted on Form I.B.3. That is to say, two copies of Form I.B.3. should be sent to the Hospital, Infirmary or Asylum, with the prisoner. The disease or disability should be entered in column [] below the destination.
In the case of a transfer to a Civil Hospital, Infirmary or Asylum one copy of Form I.B.3 should also be sent DIRECT to the Bureau, completed in the same way as the forms which accompany the prisoner.
On the return of a prisoner to camp (on discharge from a Civil Hospital, Infirmary or Asylum) Form I.B.2 should be rendered in respect of him by the place of internment to which he is sent, with a note explaining the circumstances. It is unlikely that the prisoner will be accompanied by Form I.B.1.
Form I.B.33 is a Weekly Return, showing the condition on progress of sick and wounded prisoners in Hospital. In order to give the minimun work to Medical Officers, a detailed report is required only in respect of those prisoners who are considered NOT to be "doing well." Where the physical condition of a prisoner has in any week formed the subject of very unfavourable report, the first improvement should be reported. It must not be left to the Bureau to deduce it from the general statement at the head of the form. Form I.B.33 should be prepared every Monday and forwarded to the Bureau the SAME DAY.
Form I.B.82 is an individual form to be completed in respect of each prisoner captured in Naval or Military operations and INTERNED IN THE BRITISH ISLES, if it has not already been sent in from a previous place of internment.
If the prisoner is not himself able to fill up the form, it should be completed at his dictation, or if he has died or been released or repatriated before its completion, from such information as may be availailable
Form I.B. 289 should be rendered to the Bureau whenever prisoners (combatants or civilians) are sent to Detention Barracks or to a Civil Prison, to undergo the sentence of a Military or Civil Court.
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or omissions gratefully received The
Editor © F.Coakley , 2025 |
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