Old News, New Insights
Picture courtesy of Lancaster City Museum
As most of us know, local newspapers can be a great source of interesting stories from yesteryear, and the Lancaster Guardian doesn’t disappoint when it comes to discovering more about what was going on at the city’s internment camp in Caton Road a century ago.
Here’s just a few snippets which we thought particularly fascinating.
29th August 1914
Alien Prisoners in Lancaster
The first batch of German and Austrian Prisoners arrived in Lancaster on Monday and were conveyed by train direct to the Wagon Works, the fitting up of which serve as a military prison was completed on Saturday. Further batches of prisoners have been brought during the week, a delivery of 100 men on Thursday bringing up the total under detention to about 380. Many of them are seamen, who have been unable to return to their own countries. The guard is composed of the 3rd Battalion Welch Fusiliers (Special Reserve) and the strictest precautions are taken to prevent escape or communication with the outside world.
5 Sep 1914
The German Camp
Much interest has been taken in the establishment of the German Detention Camp at the Lancaster Wagon Works, where the 3rd Welsh Fusiliers are responsible for their safe custody. Some canards have been spread this week about an attack on a sentry, but they are reported to be without foundation. From the Tunnel Field above the Wagon Works the prisoners may be seen taking exercise. They seem to be in high spirits, probably because they are far from the seat of war, and enjoying themselves, playing various games, football being one of them. Some are keen on dancing, and there is a German Band to supply the music. They are being fed better than the wives and children of many men at the front, and those who can afford to do so patronise a dry canteen. About 800 prisoners are detailed.
19 Sep 1914
The Wagon Works Prison
There have been further drafts of prisoners to the Lancaster Wagon Works compound this week, from as far south as Hanley, and as far north as Newcastle and Carlisle. The aggregate is about 1,700. Arrangements are being made for religious services to be conducted on Sundays for various groups according to their different beliefs. Last Sunday a sacred concert was given by a number of Lancaster vocalists.
Lancaster a Prohibited Area
On Thursday morning an order was received from the War Office extending the regulations regarding “prohibited areas” to Lancaster and the surrounding district. The order applies not only to the Borough of Lancaster, but practically to the whole of the South Lonsdale Constabulary Division. No German of Austrian alien can enter or reside in the district without a special permit from the Chief of Police (in the Borough Chief Constable Harriss), and no German or Austrian alien now resident in the district will be allowed to leave it without special permission. It is essential that all aliens, what-ever their nationality, should be registered.
5 Oct 1914
The German Prisoners
On Tuesday, about 107 German and Austrian prisoners at the Detention Camp, Caton Road, were transferred to the Isle of Man Camp. They are reported to have been the better class prisoners.
The Rev M Caldwell (President) and the Rev J Marcus Brown (secretary of the Free Church Ministers Fraternal) visited the Prisoners of War Detention Barracks, Caton Road, on Wednesday forenoon. The Commandant has appointed them Chaplains to the Free Church section, and it will be their duty to conduct a weekly service and render such spiritual help as is desired.
31 Oct 1914
Prisoners Detention Camp.
The population at the Prisoners Detention Camp at the Wagon Works has been increased latterly by the arrival of many Germans, over 100, who had been collected at Manchester and were in charge of police and members of the Civic Guard, all armed, and a fine body of men. Another batch of prisoners were brought from Lancashire towns on Monday in motor-cars. Men who have been serving on German vessels and other likely combatants are being transferred to Northampton and the Isle of Man. There are still about 2,000 prisoners in the camp. A temporary theatre has been fixed up in the stores, and entertainments are given by prisoner-artistes, who include several talented acrobatic troupes and jugglers, besides comedians. Under the new commandant a system has been adopted whereby picked my are made captains of the prisoners, and are responsible to the guard for their good behaviour. The guard now consists of National Reservists from Lancaster and other Lancashire towns. Four Germans from the borough have been sent to the camp.
5 Dec 1914
Comforts for Soldiers in our Midst
Several people in the town have been thinking for some weeks now about the soldiers stationed at the camp for German prisoners on Caton Road, and wondering if anything could be done to supply them with a few comforts at Christmas time. Their offer of gifts suggest the scheme of providing every soldier in the camp with some gift, which we in conjunction with our contemporary the Observer ask the aid of our readers to carry successfully through.