from Sketch Book - collection of meals for each table in large cans
[from HO 45/10946 /266042]
This report to the Destitute Aliens Committee was a follow-up on that produced in November following the 'riot' at Douglas and the deaths of several internees. This second report was occasioned by the lack of progress in constructing Knockaloe and the resulting overcrowding in Douglas Camp. The inspection party were Edmund Sebag Montefiore (Secretary), Dr Bond and Mr Petch (there may be a report by him still to be found). At the time Camp 1 Compound 1 had its full complement of 5 sleeping huts, Compound 2 was under construction with 2 huts completed, one nearly so and the final 2 just started. The original plans had called for all 5 compounds to be complete by the end of 1914.
Owing to the urgent necessity of endeavouring to ascertain when the Camps in the Isle of Man would be ready to receive an additional number of aliens, and in consequence of certain reports which had been received in London I visited the Island on the 20th December and spent a day in each of the Detention Camps and also had a long discussion with the Government Secretary. Mention of a 'Peel Hospital' is confusing - the only hospital on the Island was that in Douglas.
Dr. Bond and Mr. Petch of the Office of Works accompanied me, and they will report to the Destitute Aliens Committee.
I am quite satisfied that the weather during the last month in the Island has been such as to practically render all outdoor work impossible, but I am pleased to be in a position to report that great progress has been made in both Camps in matters connected with internal administration and that the comfort and well-being of the men interned has materially increased since the last visit of the Committee in November.
At Knockaloe we were shown round the Camp by the Commandant, Colonel Carpendale, and thoroughly inspected the huts, kitchens, &c. The Camp is divided into compounds designed to hold 1,000 prisoners in each compound. There are five huts in each compound. At present 1,616 are interned in this Camp. Seven huts are completed, equipped and occupied, every man has his own bunk, another hut is nearing completion and work has been started on two others. The men mess and spend the entire day in their huts when the weather prevents their being out of doors. The health of the Camp is excellent and the men appeared — having regard to the circumstances — perfectly content with their conditions.
The food is sufficient and endeavours are being made to make it as varied as possible, certain suggestions were made by Dr. Bond as to checking the amount supplied by the Contractor and are, I understand, likely to be adopted. I questioned several of the men and failed to discover any substantial ground for complaint as to food or any other matter and all testified their appreciation of the kindness and solicitude of the Commandant and officers both military and civilian.
The suggestion of the Committee in their last Report as to paths in the camp is now having most careful attention, and cinder paths are being constructed both for the guard and the aliens. Alien labour in this matter is encouraged and is paid for, and the comfort of the camp in corsequence is being materially increased, but the authorities will have to continue to maintain and improve these paths, which, owing to the nature of the soil, will rapidly deteriorate unless they have constant attention and repairs.
There is no very urgent necessity that separate mess huts should be immediately constructed but after going into the question very carefully with the Insular Authorities, they have expressed their intention to erect a mess house in each compound capable of accommodating at least 500 men at a time. It is proposed that these huts should be erected by alien labour after the Contractor has finished his work. It is impossible to arrange in this Camp that native and alien labourers should work together. The advantages of separate mess huts are obvious, the sleeping huts could then at frequent intervals be thoroughly cleaned, aired and disinfected, which will materially conduce to the comforts of the Camp. The men would take their meals in two shifts.
At present there is no hospital in the camp. Cases of severe illness are removed to the Peel Hospital, this is not satisfactory. It has, therefore, been arranged that No. 3 Compound is not to be put in occupation until a hospital has been erected and equipped. Dr. Bond is reporting on this subject, and I am of the opinion that his recommendations should as far as possible be carried out.
When the weather permits the Commandant sends the aliens for a route march, and until the Camp is thoroughly equipped it appears difficult for men to find many other distractions, but I understand that it is intended ultimately to give such facilities as are practicable to the men to ply the same trades and crafts as they did before the war, the Commandant is extremely anxious to find as much occupation as possible for the men under his charge, and I understand that it is proposed to offer small rewards for good work done in this manner,
There are four water taps for each hut, a laundry is being equipped, and bath houses fitted with hot and cold water should without delay be supplied in each compound. This matter is again dealt with by Dr Bond, and his suggestions should be put into effect as quickly as possible.
It is not a fact, as has been suggested, that a more suitabable camping ground exists in the neighbourhood of Knockaloe.
The electric lighting is now much improved, and it is anticipated it should be in perfect order very shortly.
I can give no indication as to when the Camp will be ready to receive additional numbers : it is a question of weather. If the weather is favourable I think that 5,000 men could he interned at Knockaloe by the end of January, but the like conditions which have prevailed during the latter part of November and the beginning of December will much delay all hutting operations. I am perfectly satisfied that the Insular Authorities, the Commandant, and Contractor, are making every endeavour to meet the situation.
At Cunningham's Camp there are 3,151 interned, these numbers are to be materially reduced by transfer to Knockaloe. This is very desirable, and when effected the camp should be satisfactory in every respect. In addition to large recreation rooms, there will then be an admirable field for exercise.
Seven sleeping huts are completed, each hut can accommodate 243 men. The lighting is, however, very insufficient, and without delay additional electric light should be supplied, and all other forms of artificial light should be most strictly prohibited.
I find the tone of the camp much improved, the very greatest credit is due to the authorities for the encouragement they give to the men to work. There were no complaints as to food, which — as the men I questioned informed me — had recently much improved. More alien labour is employed in the kitchen than was formerly the case.
The comforts of the troops are being attended to, and the new Guard House should be completed by the middle of January. It is interesting to note that the aliens are in the habit of giving orders for goods in the town amounting to an average of some £80 to £100 a week.
Six sprays are now erected in the Camp Swimming Bath, this does not appear sufficient, and care should be taken to see there is a constant supply of warm water. The swimming bath should be abolished, but the men in the camp compelled to wash. This should be a perfectly simple matter when the numbers are reduced and the Captains of the huts should be made responsible that the instructions are carried out.
This recommendation applies equally to Knockalce and I fully concur with Dr. Bond's remarks on the subject.
An interesting feature of the camp in Douglas is the large amount of carving work done by the prisoners. Efforts are being made to market their handiwork, in fact, some of their work is on sale in Douglas, and the difference between the price paid to the prisoners and the price charged to the public is to be devoted to the benefit of Belgian Refuges. The work occupies the prisoners and awards of merit are to be given by the Insular Authorities. In addition to this the camp publishes its magazine and has its own tailor, bootmaker and other shops. The Commandant takes the greatest interest in this matter and gives every encouragement to make employment for the aliens under his charge.
EDMUND SEBAG-MONTEFIORE.
Hospital — Next to the completion of the huts necessary to relieve Cunningham's Camp I regard the erection of a hospital hut at Knockaloe as the immediately most important matter, and I hope that it will be proceeded with at the earliest possible moment. I suggest that it provide accommodation for, say, 60 beds. and that it be comprised of 3 divisions, with either 20 beds in each, or 32 beds in the centre and 14 in each of the two flank divisions. It would conduce to effectiveness if each division had its own latrines. A doctor's room including dispensary, a bath-room, an attendance- room with means of heating food, and a Store-room should be provided. Along the south wall of the building a simple form of verandah not less than 7 and preferably 10 feet wide would be found a most useful adjunct* Experience will determine to what extent one such hospital will suffice and whether more hospital necommodation will be required whene the Camp is extend. There is, however, no doubt that a small isolation hospital with, say, 6 beds, and with means for the staff in attendance to sleep there would be a great protection to the Camp in the event of occasional cases of such diseases as scarlet fever occurring.
* It would be well if the floor were raised above the ground rather more than is the case with the present huts, and a layer of ash-concrete laid over the ground beneath the floor. The walls of the hut should be lined on the inside with some such material as uralite. There should also be provided means of sufficiently heating the hut, either with stoves or, as current is available, with electric heaters
Medical Attendance— Under existing arrangements I feel sure that the Medical Officer at Knockaloe has more work than he can properly attend to. I was glad to learn that he is shortly to be resident in the Camp. I think, however, that the sooner a second resident Medical Officer is appointed the better and am of opinion that when the Camp is extended to 5,000 campers, a third will probably be found necessary.
Medical Reports.— I think that these would be easier to make and would be more serviceable it they were made on a printed schedule, a suggested form for which is annexed.
Venereal Disease.— I gathered that at Knockaloe there have been no cases of syphilis In a primary or secondary stage, but that there are now some 20 cases of tertiary syphilis, and about 15 cases of gonorrhea. It has not been found possible yet to make any systematic examination of the campers, so that when that very desirable step is possible more of these cases may probably be found. An endeavour should certainly be made to class them in one hut.
Dysentery.— I was told at Knockaloe that one case had occurred there and was glad to learn that it has been promptly isolated in the local hospital, which however is situated some considerable distance away.
Diarrhea. — There have been a considerable number of cases at Knockaloe — some eight a week, but they have not been regarded as serious. I advise, however, a careful watch being kept on them, as experience shows that it is by no means easy to be sure they are not in reality dysentery.
Body-vermin. — Only a few cases of scabies have been detected at Knockaloe, but I fear that, as is not surprising, a considerable number of men harbour lice, and, if vigorous steps are not taken to check them, the number of men so infested will rapidly increase. Means for thorough bathing are far from complete yet, but we were promised that this should be rapidly pushed on with, and that warm water should be supplied to the sprays, none of which are yet fixed at Knockaloe. At Cunningham's Camp pending the installation of sprays, the swimming bath has been refilled. I strongly advise that it shall be insisted that every camper, not, excused on medical grounds, shall take a warm spray bath once a week.
I had some conversation with the Commandant at Knockaloe as to the feasibility of getting, e.g., the hut-captains to take an intelligent interest in this matter and to use the opportunity of the weekly bathing to bring to the notice of the Medical Officer any indications of vermin. I suggest that the campers should be strongly advised to keep their hair clipped reasonably close ; I notice that at present many of them wear their hair undesirably long. for this purpose a liberal supply of clippers should be provided. When washing their clothes, if the men gave them a final wring-out in a 5 per cent. solution of boracic acid, they would find this a useful check on the multiplication of vermin, as also would be the regular spraying of the huts with formalin solution after they have been temporarily emptied of the campers and all clothing and bedding. I was glad to learn that the provision of a steam disinfector at each camp is under consideration : it will be found the best of all means for ridding clothing and bedding of vermin ; but I would again repeat that I consider it very desirable that provision should be made for completely clearing, washing and spraying each hut at regular intervals. For this purpose it will probably be found necessary to always have one spare hut.
Tuberculosis.— No case is known to exist at Knockaloe. In this connection I was glad to learn that some steps are being taken to weigh the campers. If this process could be put on a systematic basis, not only would it be helpful in detecting cases of phthisis, but it would also be a useful check on (and I hope a testimony in favour of) the dietary.
Dietary.— The dinner on Sunday, the 20th December, at Knockaloe, consisted of boiled beef, potatoes and vegetables, followed by boiled rice with golden syrup for those who cared to add it. I tasted each item, and was entirely satisfied with the quantity and quality of this meal.
from Sketch Book - collection of meals for
each table in large cans
The distribution of the meat seemed, however, liable to be occasionally unequal ; it and the vegetables are distributed in tins, each containing the allowance for 10 men; but while the total meat is weighed for each kitchen, the allowance for each tin is guessed and not weighed, I am aware of the difficulties in dealing with large numbers, and while not pressing it, I suggest it would be a check against grumbling if, on the days that meat is issued in joint form, the portion for each tin could be weighed. I, however, am of opinion that, as a check on the contractor, the meat and the important items should be weighed out for each kitchen in the presence of someone responsible to the Commandant. The matter is receiving Colonel Carpendale's consideration.
Drying-Room. — No means appear to exist at present at Knockaloe for drying campers' clothing. An adequate drying-room will probably prove an essential. If pilfering is an obstacle to the regular use of such a room, it ought not to be difficult to get over this by putting the drying-room under adequate supervision, and employing a system of ticket numbers.
C. HUBERT BOND.
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