Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Frank W. Bungardy narrative of events at Torrens Island Internment Camp, 1915 and Holsworthy Internment Camp, 1915-ca. 1919
MLMSS 261/Box 2/Item 15
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My experience as a Prisoner of War in Australia
(Written by F Bungardy) Sole owner for publication purposes No 1
Vorword
I wishe to state hereby, that everything, are facts, wich happened previous, and during my internment. I write this without prejudice or bad feelings against the Australian Government.
I Capital
My life and experience after happy Schooldays.
As a lad 14 yeahrs old, I sayd "Good by" to the town, I wher reared in (a small Country town in the interior of Germany) becaurse I had chosen, a seamans life. Soon after my arrival in Hamburg I wher luky to find berth on board a German Mail Boat as Derkoboy. Ones of the blue Ocean I found my life not to be all Beer & Skittles, so I deserted in Phylladelphia U.S.A. After working in a Shipbuilding yard in Richmond, on the River Delawere for the period of about six months, I decided to have another try. I signed on board of a englishe Cattle tramps bound for London, with about 900 head of cattle on board. After being duly pay’d off their, I had a good view of the City of London, the City of laughter and tears. After making enquiries for work and wages, me not being than 15 yeahrs of age and hardly able to speak englishe, I sailed on board a coasting schooner to Bristol. From their I wendet my way across the channel to
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Cardiff, in Wales. I shipped on board a englishe Sailing Ship bound for the Island Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean, with a cargo of Coals. After a two months voyage we arrived their. After laying in the Port Luis Harbor for about seven weeks, discharging, we received orders to sail for Wallaroo, Australia. After another months sailing, I had my first glimpse of Australia, the Land of my adoption. Shortly previous to the departure of the Ship for Falmouth – England, with a cargo of Grain I deserted. After being in hiding for a few days in the Bushe, I seen the Ships setting sails. Knowing now to being free again, and not being looked for "by the Authority" for desertion, I ventured into town. I soon found lodging with private people, wich wher very kind to me, in fact I wher treated as one of the family. I worked in the Smelters thier for about a yeahr. Having found the australian population, so kind and generous, I decidet to remain in the Colonies. This being in the yeahr 1901. I worked in Australia untill 1909, when I left these shores, to have another look of the World, previous to me settling down. So saying Au revoir, I wendet my way first to London, than Hamburg. After a three month stay, I wendet my way back to sunny Australia via Canada and South America. Arriving
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in Adelaide, South Australia, February 1910. Three days after my return, I married my fiancée, an Australian born Lady. I wher employet in South Australia untill 1913 when, I wher called owing my proffession to Broken Hill New South Wales Australia. Being in the employ of the Britishe Mine, on the line of lode, found me their, when the War broke out between England and Germany. Owing me being married to an Australian Lady, the father of two Australian born children, also me arriving hier as a youth, made me think, I had lost my European rights, and so classed myself as an Australian citizen. This wher the reason for me failing to be naturalized, however at the time of me writing this, I am not sorry for me failing to draw my Citizen Papers, beccourse previous to receiving those sayd Papers, the Government under Oath promisses the Personall Rights equall to a British born, however I have seen during my internement that the Government looked upon the Naturalization Papers as "Scrap" only, and interned persons if naturalized or not. On January 8th 1915 I wher called upon by a Constable and ordered to the Police Station under arrest. On our arrival I wher informed, to consider myself in custody as a Prisoner of War. The reason for my arrest as stated wher "failing to report". This acusation wher a false one
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as I had reported myself weekly, my last report being 3 days previous to my arrest. The News to consider myself under arrest of course wher a great shork at first, especially as I had a Wife and Children at home, awaiting Fathers return from work. I wher permitted to goe home to get some personal effects. The time granted being half an hour. Owing the short time allowance, my "good by" to the dear ones I wher forced to leave behind, wher a short one. Heavy hearthed in charge of a Detective, I left my home, a weeping wife, and my weeping children, bound for the Railway station, to catch the Adelaide Express. Owing the short time granted, I wher hardly able to fill my travelling trunk with necessary wearing appearal, for use in the Concentration Camp. On me reaching the station I found twelfe more Prisoners of War – waiting under a heavy escort with Bayonets fixed. All those prisoners of war, had been taken out of employment, and worse than me, never had the privelege to goe home first, to get their wearing apearals or any personal effects. They wher forced to start a 250 miles yourney by train, and enter
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the concentration camp, with the clothes solely, wich they wore on their arrest. Capitell II.
The journey by train and our arrival at Headquarters.
Owing those 12 prisoners having marched under a heavy Soldiers escort with Bayonets fixed the Police to the Railway station, had given a crowd of about 500 heads the reason to follow, and await the departure of the train. However it wher a quite and orderly crowd. They seemed to know, that we deserved to be pillied and not blamed. Our escort consisted of six Guards in charge of a Collour Sergeant. We wher permitted to buy anything we wanted, at stationes, wher the train stopped – of course with our money, the military authority, not having made arrangements, to suply us even with a sandwich or cup of tea during our 14 hours journey. On our arrival at the Adelaide Railway station, South Australia, the next morning, our train wher meet by a reinforcements of soldiers from the Headquarters at Keswick. Having to have to change trains hier, we stood at the Platform forover an hour surroundet by the Guard. This made a
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Crowd gather again, wich viewed us with inquisitive eyes, as if we wher price Bulls from a Royal agriculture Show". Ones the suburban train arrived we rushed our compartement, glad to be out of the gaze of the Public. Owing the distant to headquarters being only 2-3 miles, we soon arrived at the station their. On us getting lined up on the Plattform, four abreast we wher led by the Guard to the Headquarters Building, a new, big, Brick building, one of the finest buildings in the City. Of course we all wher glad to be out of the enquisitive gaze of the publics eyes.
At Headquarters and their treatment.
Ones outside this structure, standing four in lines, a sergeant about 20 jeahrs of age came out with Paper and ledpencil, and taking our names. Ones our names taken, we wher marched to an outbuilding, also a new structure, wich had been build, to be a horsestable for the Light horse regiment, however never had been in use as such. Hier we wher suplied with the first meal in close of 24 hours, consisting of
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two fried sausages, with a slice of Bread, the Sargent telling us that this wher all the cook had left from the Soldiers dinner. Then we had given to each of us a Straw sack and two Blankets. Owing us not hawing had a wink of sleep the night previously, we soon slept, as only a worn out and weary traveler can. At 6 p.m. we got served our supper consisting of steak, tea, bread and jam. After hawing done our tea justice, we made a partie for a game of ccards. Those we had procured during our train journey. We played untill 10 p.m. when we wher ordered "lights out by the centry. We fixed our bed again, however sleep wher out of the question for me, becourse my home and the dear ones, wich I wher forced to leave behind, seemed allways to be in my memory. I wher glad when daylight came trough the glass panes. 7 a.m. we wher marshed to another structure to hawe a washe, thence to the convenience. 8 a.m. we had breakfast, consisting of sausages tea and bread. 9 a.m. we wher ordered to gather our luggage as we had to proceed to Torrens Island, the Island wich the S.A. Government has sett apart for Quarantine only.
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However owing the European crisis, this sayd island had to be the future home, for all Prisoners of War in South Australia. Previous to us leaving Headquarters, I wher permitted to send a Postal Card to my wife, wich I no doubt apreciated. We wher marched to the Keswick Station again 4 in line, and after changing trains at Adelaide we soon arrived at Port Adelaide. We wendet our way to the Wharf, at wich a Motor lunch wher laying awaiting our arrival. After hawing also taken the Provision for the Camp on board, we soon wher down the River bound for Torrens Island better known as Quarantine Island.
The arrival at the Island.
On our arrival at the Island the lunch wher meet by a Sergant, wich orded us to leave our luggage on the Beash and proceed to Camp, about 800 yards distant, with instructions we of course obeyed. We wher led to the Camp Comandants tent. After the Comandant asking for our names and luggage
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we were ordered under curses and most objectionable expressions, such as "you German B…….." and "blody Dutchman" to goe and get our luggage for research. Needless to say we followed the order meekly as a shoolboy, allthought the calling of those most objectionable names in the English Dictionary did not suit me. If I had been a free man, the honeur of my dear Mother would hawe compelled me, to strike this Man dead as soon as those words had left his lips. After hawing our luggage, I wher the only one, wich had any searched, also our Clothing, we wher issued a Cooking Pot, a tin Plate, tin Mug, fork, spoon and knife, also a Rubber sheet an empty Hessian bag and two blankets each. Then we wher marched of to what wher called "The German Lines".
The arrival in Camp and the life as a Prisoner.
Ones the gate closed behind us, we wher inside of the barbwire fence, our future home. After a lot of handshakes, we wher led to a round tent, and told seven of us had to occupy
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it. I wher surprised, as the space only permitts fot about 4 persones only to co-habit day and night. However we made the best of it, and layd hudled together like Pigs in a stye during the nights. As our bedding comprised of a rubber sheet, a pice of Hessian without any stuffing, and 2 Blankets to cover ourself with we did not require a Chambermaid to make our sleeping compartement comfortable. The Food rationes for each tent, wher dealt out to us daily at 3 p.m. Our rationes acording to Governement allowance should consist of 1½ lb meat per man. We wher mostly short in weight. The meat consisting mostly of forequarters of mutton, and shinbones of an Oxe, so mostly all bones. We recieved about 1 dozend potatos daily for each tent, ½ lb coffee 3 two lb loafes of bread a soupspoon full of salt, a teaspoon full of pepper, also a Melon as vegetable, ocasionaly a cabage, also about 2 lb of sugar. As we only wher suplied with one pot to cook in, boil our tea ectra, we soon found out this wher not sufficient, so we bought kerosene
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tines, through the Soldiers quartermaster made, Coffee Kettle, frying Pan, Water bucket and various other cooking utensils, wich wher necessary out of those tins. Acording to the Rules made at the Hague Convention and signed mostly by all superior nationes on October 18u 1907, a Prisoner of War shall receive desame Rationes, as soldiers of the Government who captured them, we did not get it half, as the weight given at the end of this chapter will show acording to the Books kept by our Quartermaster a Internee. All our complaints fell on deaf ear and never wher altered. The Officer in charge of our Camp hardly troubling about us. On several days, we found the meat to be bad, and unfit for human consumption. We returned same but never received the weight of the bad meat, as promised, the next day, but our usely daily allowance. The way the meat wher forwourdet unti us wher also in a very unsanitary way. It came in canvas bags about 3-400 lb in weight. Herein in layd from early in the morning untill the afternoon in the Quartermasters tent. We scrubbed
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the bags daily with warm water, but owing our soap rationes being insufficient, and soda wher a seldom article to be found, we wher unable to get the grease out of same. Yes even after those bags had had a good scrubbing, and through dried, they had a sour smell. As the Soldiers having allways first pick, they seen to it, they allways received some of the best out of the quantity, also pulling out all the fat and kidneys. Everything is fair in love and war, however the Bible also tells us destinktly." Think of your neighbour". This the soldiers seemingly forgot daily, for we never, or very seldom received any fat, for frying purposses. We wher permitted to buy stores, through ordering some through the Quartermaster in the Soldiers lines. The prices wher about 30-50% addet to the regular storeprices on land. Wher the money in proffit went to, I am unable to say. It might have been used by the Officer to swell the Patriotic Fund Belgian Relief fund or his own Pocket fund, for all I
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know. All I know, it has costed me personaly a tidy summe to keep body and soul together while their. After I had been on the Island for about 3 months, I wher suplied with a dungaree suit, two solt shirts, a linnen hat and a pair of Boots. This wher the only waering apperal suplied to us, during our eight months internment under the S.A. Governement. We wher all forced to idle the hours away as best we could for the Government had no ocupation for us, and so all of us, wher deprived of the chance to earn anything, to help us along to buy extra food, clothing tobacco ectra. We consideret ourself the "Guests of a very poor Government".
Our Kitchen and Dinning Room.
Owing our tent being smal, and very inconvenient to use it as Bedroom, Kitchen and Dinning Room combined, we wher forced to procure bags at 4p a pice, old Potatoe Bags. "Went out into the Bushe under guard, procured some sticks, and we soon had a rough and ready Bush Kitchen and dining room. Our Kitchen
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contained a fireplace, made out of a few stones and mudd, to wich a few Iron Bars wher addet, for the Pots to stand on, a rough bench for the Pots to stand on when not in use. The Dining Room contained two rough Benches, around a ditto table, with a Butter-box in one corner as a safe. Our cooler, owing the hot season, being another box wich we procured through the officer in charge for wich we paid, sunk into the ground. After being one month on this Island, and me not having received any straw, I asked for permission under escort to search the Beach for seaweed, to fill my straw sack. But owing the Prisoners wich had arrived, previously, had gathered it all, I wher compelled to nurse the hard ground, for the period of eight months, as I had nothing to fill my pice of Hessian with, my personal effects I had to use as a Pillow, like a shangheiad seaman. I would have procured a Stretcher, but the shmal space in the tent would not permitt it.
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The arrangement for health and discipline.
Owing our Camp being 800 yards away from the Quarantine Station, I consideret it risky for the Government to put an internement Camp so close by especially as, for about two months, several smallpox confinces being quaratined their. Our drinking water we procured also from this station, through the medium of pipes layd on from this sayd institution. We had a limit of the use of same. On several ocasiones, when the watersupply run short, we wher compelled, to carry it in kerosine tins and Buckets from the Rain Watertanks at the Quarantine Station twice daily. Not that I am afraid to drink rainwater, but I take it to be a risky job, to drink rainwater caught of a Quarantine Roof while patients wher inside, also being forced to carry it from their while the smalpox confines wher housing their. Our daily prayer wher "Dear Good, we don’t care how long our liberty gets taken away from us, but grant us our plea that we get liberated enjoying our health". We dug a hole
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into the ground about six feet deep by six feet wide close to the fence, for the receiving of the washe and refuse water. As the hohle generaly wher covered with Boughs, this acted as a Breeding Area in the daytime for Musquitos, wich helped us along to enjoy the sleep during the long weary nights on the hard ground. Our Urinals and W.C. also consistet of hohles dug into the ground, with a galvaniced fence on one side, to keep off wind and wetter and f out of decancy. As to the Washing of our Clothing we wher issued between seven men a 2 lb bar of soap every 3 weeks. These had to last also for washing faces and dirty hands. Prisoners wich could afford to buy wher allright, but wher it a wonder when those without the necessary cashe got vermins, as washing without soap will not take out the dirt. So vermins wher their in our camp in plenty, in fact the quantity wher allmost equall of Gemanys fighting force. The wood for our cooking, we had to carry miles on our shoulders, out of the woods.
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Now and again a small coasting Boat arrived, with about 3-5 tones firewood on board. The Soldiers using msotly all. Owing this smal amount of wood, their being close on 100 fireplaces, hawing to last for a certain period, we wher mostly without, so we wher compelled to carry it over sand hills for miles. About 9 a.m. we Prisoners used to fall in line, two men out of each tent, with our axes which we had to buy ourselfs, and under a strong escort we wandered into places wher the trees stood; the time allowance to gather dead wood being 30 minutes. At first only dead trees got felled, however, as they wher soon used up, live ones had to suffer, and many a shady tree, the pride of the Island fell victim to our axes, and carried back in pices back to our camps. On many ocassion, owing to the long distant and the heavy load, we wher unable to reach the camp, without a rest , this sometimes got granted and mostly not, on many ocassions I seen Prisoners being compelled owing the weight of the wood, and the sandy ground being forced to drop their load on the way, yes
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sometimes even 2-300 yards distant from our camps. We had to leave it behind and enter our camp without any fire wood, allthough on several ocassions, we asked permission to be allowed to carry it into our lines, however allways wher refused. Th soldiers using it for their fires.
The recreation of Prisoners of War.
Hawing mostly all the day laying idle on our hand, we used to pass the time at several different recreation. Firstly started an atheletic club, than a german football club, a mixture of britishe associansion and Rugby. Owing the german emperors Birthday falling due shortley, a reserve officer drilld some Reserve soldiers and recruits for a parade Marche wich we intented to hold, in honor of this festive day. Of course wher their is a mole, their bound to be gambling, cards und the game of two up getting playd at first from morning untill late at nights. We rose of the hard ground at 8 a.m. bar the cook wich we used ti take in turns, by weekly durations
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after hawing breakfast and those wich had nothing else to do wendet their ways to the gambling dens (tents). As the sums played for runninig into pounds and many an unlucky prisoner lost all his money, wich could easyly have been used for better purposses our comander issued a notice, forbidding gambling of any sort. This put a stop to the two up game, however card playing continued, such as Poker, Nap, Swedish Banker, ectra. The comandet tried his best to put a stop to this also, but without success. "Many a prisoner wher arrestet, and sentenced to a few days water and bread". Well it wher a common ocurence, for the guard to come in and arrest a whole mob out of a tent, if they had been playing a legal or unlegal game, both being a like, as long as the soldiers, seeing cards, that wher evidence anough to warrant an arrest. Allthough arrests being frequent, we wher permitted to buy as many packets of cards, through the commandant as we wished to pay for. The price being 1 shilling per packet.
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The barnd supplied being mostly "Kangaroo" wich wher procuable at any stationers for the price of 6d per pack, the comandant used to make 50% clear profitt. To my estimation the comandant dit not look for discipline, but looked for business.
German Emperors Birthday. January 27th 1915.
Weeks previous to this festivity, prisoners wich still belonged to the German Reserve and the Recruits wher drilled for the Parade March. The Recruits wher formed to line the cordon of honor. The rifles used wher made out of sticks and broom handles. Every Soldiers wher dressed alike. Blue trousers, white shirt, white cap. The caps were made out of white handkerchiefs. The only obstacle in our way, being the uniform for the emperor, the higher officials, patronising the Emperors parade, and the dresses for the curtladys, becourse at such a festiviys there are also allways Ladys present. We made the spiked Helmets out of kerosine tins, soldered together. Swallow tail coats and evening frocks cut off at the
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bottom part, with yellow painted buttones, suitable brocade and tin medals galore, substituted, the smart Officers jacket. White trousers made into Riding breeches, seaboots and spurs, borrowed from some civil interned boundary Riders, completed the Uniform. The dresses for the curtladys, wher cut by an expert Ladys cutter, also interned, the stuff we had procured through the stores. The necessary long hair wher made out of Manilla rope and dyed different collor. The hats wher made out of fencing wire with some clothing, and paper flowers. So six of our prisoners wher transferred into nice and handsome Curtladys. This brought many a prisoner the thought and the knowledge, that he had a sweethearth or wife somewher on this globe awaiting patiently his return. The night previous to this perticular day we marched according to German custom, around through our Camp with torches made out of broken bottles and candles. Our Band leading. Early the next morning at 6 a.m.
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we wher called by our regimental bugler of our Camp Band. 8-9 Breakfast. 10 a.m. Parade. After the Parade their wher all kinds of sports, with cashe prices. We amused ourself immensely all day. At night their wher singing and dancing on the sand. We fancied ourself holding a curtlady in our arms and walzing around the emperors palace untill the haevy sandy ground remindet us, that we wher on Australian soil, the handsome lady, a fellow sufferer like ourself.
The transference from Camp to Camp.
Owing our camp being so close to the quarantine station the Military authority thinking it advisable, to transfer our camp to somewher else. After a lot of prospecting the authoritys found a suitable spot at the top end of the Island. For two weeks previous to our transference to the new camp, we wher compelled to find one men of each tent, to goe to the new site daily, for cleaning land, cutting trees, levelling ground ectra. Neither of us prisoners had a penny payd for our focible labor by the Australian Government, allthough we all wher
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only civil internet. 9 a.m. we wher marched under heavy escort, loaded with all kinds of tools, to the new site. Our dinner we toke with us, returning about 5 p.m. Hawing the ground in level order, and well fenced in, we wher orderd to get raedy, for tarnsference. Knowing their would be no time for cooking our food on this day we cooked everything the evening previous. It wher hussle and bussle everywhere. Early the next morning after breakfast, hawing our luggage all packed, we downed tents, and carried everything to the jetty, close to the Quarantine station. It where a sight like Pettycoat Lane (London) on a Sunday morning. Everything layd their, kitchen, dining room, firewood, athletic gear, boxes, forms, tables, luggage, tents, in fact everything immagenable, even to the old bricks, as they would come handy for our fireplaces. Two Prisoners of each tent, had to load everything into a Barge, supplied by the Government. The rest of the Prisoners wher led around, under heavy escort, through the swamp and bushe to the new site. Me being one of those
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unfortunate ones ordered to do the heavy work on the Jetty. We loadet one barge in the forenoon, while these being getting towed to the other side of the Island we adjourned for dinner. But o horror, mostly had nothing, as everything cooked by us, the other five had taken it with them. During the afternoon, we loadet the second and third barge, than getting on board also, Soldiers, Officers and the rest of us prisoners we had a ride around. As soon as we arrived their wher hussle again, to get everything right and in working order. Our tent of course draw our first attention. This day I never forget. We build our fireplaces again, put the bags, wich wher getting allready full of holes around it to keep off the wind and weather from the cook, next our Dining Room we christened this Ragally "Kleine Marien Strasse" a street in Hamburg of ill repute having the same name (See photo of Kitchen). This new site wher a sandy place, the least bit of wind, blow the sand all over. The Cook only had to lift the lid
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of the cooking pot, when a hand full of sand wher laying on top of the stew, instead of the necessary pepper. As each tent containning 7 men we received also one tin of jam daily. We used to leave everything in our dinning Room during the night time. Many a morning we found the jam missing and the Bread gone. I hawe it personaly from the Soldiers on sentry, that owing the hunger and the long weary hours on Guard, they had taken our bread to make toast and also the jam. All our combined complaints never altered the fact so we were forced to take everything eatable into our tent at nighttime, to be shure for us to have something to eat the next morning for breakfast also to be able to have a Dinner.
Life in the new Camp.
Of course, as us all being forced to idle the hours away as best we could, except the cook, wich we used, as formerly stated in weekly turns, we nearly wher driven crazy. We wher not permitted to receive any Books or Newspapers. Our coresponde permitted us
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of 2 letters per week, wich we had to drop open into the Pillowbox, as they had to be censored first. Anything written, stating of our ill treatment, or us asking for money, never wher passed, but went into the wastepaper basket. We wher compelled to put a postage stamp on each letter. This is also against the Hague convention, as all post to and from a prisoner of war should be free of all postage due. If a letter arrived without the necessary postage stamps, the prisoner had to pay doppelt taxces, or else the letter never would be delivered. Also with our luggage, or parcels we received. We had to pay the freight on same. Many article we had to pay for got taken out of the boxes, some of the clothes wher missing as everything had to be searched previous to the delivery. This wher allways done in the absence of the Prisoner, it wher adressed to Tremeniber on one occasion, a Prisoner, a young German, missing several Jewellery. While being out in the Bushe for firewood, he noticed his Ring on
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the finger of one of the Centry. Becourse he asked for the return of same, he wher abused and thretenet, to get a bullet, if he did not keep his mouth shut. Also with any parcels send to us with fruit or smokes, mostly half the contents wher missing. If their happened to be any money enclosed in one of the letters adressed to a prisoner, the letter arrived, but the money never. All our complaints never brought any difference.
Out of passtime we organised a Sailors Band, consisting of two acordeones, several mouth organes, a tin for Kettle drum, Maling spike as a Tryangle, and an empty Carbide tin with Canvas stretched around both ends as a big drum, later on we had also a Brass Band. Many a long weary hour during the hot evenings we amused ourself, laying in a circle in the soft sand enjoying German Ballats, dittis, Soldiers and National songs. If it hadnt been for this their would have been a few more driven mad.
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The fall of Antwerp, or the Comandants intention to force us all to Mutiny.
Owing our acomodation for cooking being very faulty two prisoners asked permission from the comandant to be permitted to obtain some galvanised sheet iron from an old sheet wich stood close to our fence. Having the necessary permission, they proceedet to get same. The rest of the Prisoners on seeing same hammering to get the iron of the roof, they wher of the impression anyone could get some, as every Kitchen and dinning room wher in an urgent need of a roof to keep the Cook and us all from getting welt, on a rainy day, especially as the wett season had sett in, they procured hammers, axces, ectra and scaled the fence to get their share of the iron and wood. The Soldiers on duty to guard us sitting in the quartertent enjoying a Game of "Napp" on hearing the tumping and hammering, they rushed to the scene; to save the sheet from destructioner. Five prisoners got cought in the act of demo
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loshing Government property, and marched off to the arrest Cell, those two prisoners wich had permission being amongst them. The arrest Cell wher about 10 by 8 feet. The soldiers than got ordered to search our Camp for wood, iron piping, or sheet iron. These instructions of course wher obeyed, and any of those sayd articles found in our wnclossure, we had to throw over the fence again. Many a pice of wood wich we had brought with us from the old camp, we were forced to part company with. Several Prisoners dug some boards into the soft sand, however the hiding places wher soon found by the Soldiers through the aid of their Bayonets wich they struck into the soft sand. This wher the start of what to South Australian Public got to hear as "the Mutiny on Torrens Island."
The Muting? "and the consequences".
Having five prisoners the comandant ordered to arrest more. This command wher obeyed wholesale for the slightest pertexts. Closing the Gate of the
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Recreation ground, but wich we wher forbidden to use as such, owing the lavatory, incinerator and other neccassery convinience being their, and Guard stationed all around the Barbwire fence "the cell" contained in two hours time 38 prisoners, and so taxed to its outmost. Me being one of them. I wher arrested for disobeying the order to stay in our trent, "but as I had to goe to the lavatory and used an overcoat, as it wher raining, I wher arrested also. As the space of our cell did not permitt of such a quantity to house their at one time we wher pickled like sardines". Of course we all enjoyed the joke, this being a change of our monotony. We also thought this only to be for one night, and to be liberated the next morning, as mostly had been arrested innoncent. While whe wher standing in this Cell shoulder to shoulder, me standing right behind the door in an corner, and singing a German song, I noticed our camp commandant
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through the crack of the door, drawing his automatic revolver, putting it behind his back, and advancing towards our cell, I told my mates to be quite wich they did at ones. The commandant stood within 2 paces of our cell door with the revolver behind him for about fully 5 minutes. I am shure he would have shot, through the door, if we had started singing again. That same would have hit one or two of my fellow prisoners been a certainty, owing us being packed so close together. About 5 p.m. we seen through the cracks of our hotel "the soldiers buisy laboring, driving iron posts into the ground and running Barbwire around it. Of course we all toke it for granted, that this should be only an excersise yard for prisoners of war sentenced for a long term in arrest. The space as afterwards proved to be 15 feet by 9 feet. We had guessed right, but wrong all the same, "like" Patty sayd, we had forgotten the sleeping acomo
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dation, as I further will prove.
In the sheep yard and my experients.
About 7 p.m. we wher told to come out, and get into the new yard wich we dit, without any grumbling. Previous to us entering the gates, those wearing overcoats had to hand same over to a Sergeant. After being searched, one by one, tobacco matches and pipes also cigarettes wher taken away from us, we entered the gate of our sheepyard in single file. Four soldiers being stationed to guard us one to each corner of our compartment under the open skye. The night turned out to be a cold one, with the seabreeze adding, and us allmost naked, without bedding or blankets, we shivered and huddled together to keep warm. Sleep being out of the question, owing to the cold night air the sentry amusing themselves in throwing cold water over us, becourse five did not follow their instruction to shut up and goe to sleep". Also the rain falling in showers, we remained awake all the night.
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At shortley after us getting into this enclosure, it being dark and cold, a young prisoner found a cigarette end and a match as somewher inside. On lighting same, the sentry observed the flashe, allthough we all circulated around him. This prisoner a lad of 19 wher ordered to hand over the cigarette. He denied hawing one, wherupon he wher taken out of our enclossure and marched to the back of the Commandants building. We seen a short struggle, and this prisoner being handkuffed, with his arms around a tellegraph pole. During the short struggle, the Soldiers tore of the Prisoners shirt, so he stood only dressed in a blue dungaree trousres, hatless, shirtless and boot less, their almost naked in the cold for hours, when we seen him colapse. After laying in the sand their for some time, I called a Sergeant and draw his attention to the lads unfortunate plight. After sying "I see what I can do" he left. About half an hour after, we seen some soldiers, undoing his handcuffs and
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carrying the prisoner, senseless into our enclosure. They layd him in the wett sand, and went away. We prisoners with hat coats on at the time of their arrest undressed, and covered this unfortunate lad with same. He draw our attention for about an hour, us chaffing his hands, and doing everything possible to get the lad back to his sences. On our attention proving without avail I complained to the sergeant again. Giving me desame answer as previously he left. Shortly afterwards two soldiers of the sanitary force came in, and toke him into the arrest cell, wher he layed on one blanket for the rest of the night. The next morning he wher addet to our quantity again. Owing the night being wett and cold, and sleep out of the question, a prisoner started a song, in wich we all started in the chorus. Ones the singing had started it never stopped untill morning. We sang German and english songs, in fact
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anything what came into our heads anything wher good enough to asist in making the time fly by. About 8 a.m. the next morning, we wher told to come out, to being led to the convinience, also to have a washe. Our escort consistet only of Officers and sub officers. Previous to us marching off, we seen as everyone of those Officer receiving orders to put cartridges into their magazines, also one in case of emergency into the Barrel, wich instruction they of course obeyed in our view. An old Sergeant advicing us not to speak a word to anyone, as they had orders to shoot the first one found speaking, we proceedet in funeral style to the washing place. Thance to the convinience. On ourway their our number wher addet by another prisoner, wich dared to say "good morning" to us. While at the convinience we heard 4-5 revolver shots. A prisoner remarking under his breath "He" meaning the Camp Comandant "is going
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going mad again". When we being led back, and arriving at the top corner of our internement camp we wher surprised to see a prisoner of war, getting chased by a soldier, and protted with the point of the bayonet when in reach, this soldiers name wher Jim Dinning of Adelaide, South Australia. He only obeyed, as stated by himself later on to me, his commands given by his superior officer, the Comandant. The order given wher "Goe and fetch him out, put the bayonet right through him. When we wher safe in our enclosure ones more, and hawing seen our guard unloading their rifles. We attendet to the poor fellow wich had been chased and stabbed several times. From him we heard that the Comandant had shot one of our prisoners in the leg. Those prisoner we also seen shortly being carried out on the shoulder of two sturdy soldiers to the hospital, with his leg hanging
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down. About 10 o clock the provision launch arrived hawing as passengers Col Irving and Capt Hardie, two of the highest Military Officials on board. Col Irving went shortley after the arrival to view the shet, wich had been slightly demolished. On his return Capt Hardie came in company of Lieut Parkes to our enclosure. After Lieut Parkes picking out six prisoners, those wher ordered to come out, wich they dit. They wher sentenced to 3 weeks imprisonement in the Adelaide Jail on half ration, for demolishing Government property,(an old stable, wich had not been in use for yeahrs previous) shurley a bad crime. Those prisoners wher marched off, some coatles, some bootless, some without a shirt on their nine mile journey by train to the Adelaide Jail. The woundet prisoner also wher asisted to this boat at the same time. We remainder wher sentenced to 14 days arrest without enquiry or deffence. On Capt Hardie enquiring if anyone
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had anything to say, I enquired why my sentence had been so severe, also that "I demandet to have a right to explain, previous to be sentenced": I wher told, "if you don’t keep quite, you goe to jail too". Not being eager to goe their I followed his advice. So we wher sentenced, some to jail, others to water and bread, for a long period, without hawing had the right, to defend ourself. However a Prisoners of War seems, to have no rights and not to be entitled to Justice. Only those wich are in charge of Prisoners of War or Civil Internet, have "Rights" by galore, as I hawe found out. We wher sentenced to remain in this enclosure, 15 feet by 9 feet, suroundet by a barbwire fence, without any protection from either side, also without a roof for 14 days water and bread. Horror. If I think back of those two weeks, it makes me shiver. I prefer to spend 2 weeks in a tomb, in company of a corpse, rather than hawe those two weeks in the barbwire over
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again. At the end of fourteen days we wher permitted to leave our compound and goe back to the Camp. As all our mails and priviledge of writing had been stopped during the 14 days of our arrest, I enquired for my mail, wich I expected from my dear home, wife and children. Fancy my surprise, when I wher told four letters awaiting in the office for you, however we are not allowed to deliver them for another month. "On me enquiring at whose orders I wher told, The Camp Comandant, Capt Hawkes". So I wher not permitted to send nor receive corespondence for one additional month. I consideret this a most and unjust sentence. As I had been in the habit of sending and receiving two letters per week from my dear home, wich I had been forced to leave behind, owing the European Crisis, and the Military suthoritys, being armoured with the new law made during the Crisis, in respect of Allien Enemy subjects, called the War
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precurtion act, can any reader wonder, when after one month, I received telegrams, registerd letters ectra of my wife, enquiring if I wher sick, dead, or if I thought it advisable for her to come to Adelaide a distant of 250 miles. Also if she should bring our children with her. Fancy yourself a poor innocent trough this World, becourse the head of the Family has been taken away from them, for no other fault, but that the Government of his Birth is at loggerheads with the Government of the land of his adoption. The only happiness these poor women has got, is the receiving of any news from her Husband, during her struggle. However even this little satisfaction wher taken away from her, and the thought and the fear, Her husband the father of her innocent Children might be dead, her sufferings are immangeenable
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This sentence of with holding the priveledge to send nor receive corespondence, I consideret the most severe, wich could have been inflictet on any married man, for neither of us wher convicts or criminals, or prisoners of war but Civil Internet, for wich the Hague Convention never made any rules, but Australia looked upon as prisoners of war and treated to a certain extent only acording to the Rules made by this convention, but mostly by their Rules made during the War, the Government called same ‘’The War Precoution Act".
A few months following my former experients. All Prisoners of War in our compound, looked upon the Camp Comandant with terror and disgust. We all wher afraid of our lives, as the visit of a bullet into our camp wher very frequent. We remained mostly in our tent during the day and night, only coming out for meals and
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(10/5 Those two prisoners wher forwardet to the Parkside Asylum
May 24th 1915.)
the forcible parade. We wher mostly like Rabits in a burrow. Hawing no ocupation and nothing to pass the time away with is it a wonder, one Prisoner went mad, another cut his troth with a racor, becourse he wher of unsound mind. At the time of me writing this there are two Prisoners of War in the Adelaide Mad house, becourse they hawe been driven mad during their internement on Torrens Island. On night after "Lights out" we heard the report of a rifle. On making enquiries the next morning, I wher informed, becourse a fellow, a inmate of the tent had lit his pipe, the guard had fired. The bullet penertrated the doppelt canvas of the tent, through both sides of an empty butterbox wich wher hanging in the tent and gused as a Safe, also through the Centre Post of the tent. Owing hawing lost its force the bullet on striking the slack canvas opposite
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of entering, it fell on a prisoners face wich layd on the Ground underneath. The hight of the traveling of the bullet being about 4 feet of the ground. If this misshap had happened 5 minutes previous, I would have had to record the death of a fellow prisoner, as this sayd prisoner had stood in front of the Butterbox undressing, previous to laying down for the night, to nurse the hard ground. The discharge of the rifles wher as stated previously of commin occurrence. A bullet passing my face within half a foot, the soldier in charge of the rifle not standing [indecipherable] feet away. And still the Australianes allways complain, that they wher short of ammunition, acording to our treatment on Torrens Island, their wher not the least sign of it, in fact, it seemed as if they had too much, and only wanted to waste some. One morning during parade, their wher 3 young prisoners missing. The Guard wher ordered to search the Island. As the Motorlunch of the Quarantine Station wher found to
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missing, they soon wher on their traces, and duly found in hiding in a unocupied Refreshment Booth on the mainland. The Prisoners wher ordered to "stand" wich they wisely dit. They wher than tied hands behind their backs, also from the shoulder to the hips with a stout cord and brought back to the Island. After being marched tied up around our camp as an "example", they wher put into the formerly explained enclosure. Owing this enclossure being without a roof, and it hawing rained for days and nights previously, it wher in no fitt state for any human being to occupy. About 5 p.m. it started raining again. They remained tied up and helpless untill 9 p.m. When they wher drenched to the skin a Lieutenat ordered to hawe the Ropes taken of them. They wher left in the open the rest of the Night. Owing their being 3 pices sheet iron in this enclosure they made themselves a sort of "dogkennel" to get out of the element of the Weather. Under these they
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crawled. However they wher hardly underneath when the Soldiers stationed to guard them, found this a place of amusements. Gathering stones, empty jam tins ectra, they amuset themselves in throwing it at the opening of this Prison-structure. Everytime a missle thrown found the opening their wher ammusement and mirth amongst the Sentry. The soldiers calling it, The Aunt Sally show. This fellows being in arrest without a trial for over a month on Bread and Water, now and again they received a warm meal. Owing our Comandant getting relieved by another Officer, Capt Buttler, this officer liberated them instantly. This Officer in Rank also a Capt. wher well liked and esteemed. Some wher strict but fair to both sides, Soldiers to Prisoners alike. His comand only lasted, sorry to state 14 days, as than our former comandant returned and toke charge again. Owing their being no convininece whatsoever, in our compound
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to dry clothing of any discription, we wher forced to hang same unto the Barb Wire fence, wich wher all around our Compound. But "O Pitty" if it had rained during the day, and we left it hanging out during the night. We only found rags in the morning instead of a good wearing appearal. The Soldiers on sentry during the night fancying themselves in the trenches somewhere in Flanders or Gallipoli, putting the Bayonet as often through the article as it would possible stand, thinking no doubt as the appearal belonged to a Enemy Subject they wher justyfied in hawing Bayonet practice. As the clothing supplied by the Government only consistet in 8 months of a dungaree suit, white linen hat 1 pair of trousers 3 shirts 1 pair of Boots and one sweater, all of poor quality. Many Prisoners wher forced through the actiones of the Soldiers to run about allmost naked. We complained to the commandant without ever getting justice, or having those wearing appearal replaced. All our complaints we had to direct to the second Officer in charge, as we only wher
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able to see the Comandant from the distant. Either sailing about in a Sailing Dinghy or else being under the influence of liquor. We prisoners of war wher permitted to receive one visit per month, from the Wife or Children only. The duration of the time varied between ¼ and ½ an hour, it all dependet on the amount of the provision on board of the Lunch, and the time it toke to get same discharged. As the Boat never lost no time in returning to Port, the visit wher allways a short one, Allways under close Guard, and allways on the Jetty irrespective of the Weather. On June 19th 1915 in the morning we wher surprised, to find out during the parade that two Prisoners had escaped again. Of course we all wished them "Good Luck One being a native of Sweden by names Hollman, and unable to speak any German, but Swedish and broken englishe the other a German named Gerthes. Many Reader will be surprised no doubt to read that Neutrals had been interned also. We had 2 Swedes 1. Dane amongst us also one Servian. Several German born colonists with
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Sons at the front, fighting for England in Gallipoli. Their wher also one, a father of 5 children, wich had arrived in Australia at the age of 2 yeares. These Prisoner wher also unable to speak German, but only englishe. All his pleadings did not give him back his liberty untill he had been interned for over a yeahr.
The return of two escaped Prisoners and the flogging. In the morning of June 24th 1915 we wher surprised to see on Board the Provision Lunch, the two escaped Prisoners, escorted back under "heavy guard". They wher marched off to the hospital tent. After passing the examination of the Military Doctor, they wher ordered to follow the leading Guard. Over 400 prisoners of war watched the proceeding. Those Prisoners wher marched to about 100 yard behind our fence, amongst the Sandhills, wher a clump of Maple trees wher going. All the Soldiers off Duty and the official wher their. The Prisoner Gerthes wher ordered to lift his
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hands above his head. These instruction he obeyed. His hands being than handkuffed to a Branch of a Tree, soldiers wher ordered to undo his top Garnements and lift same above his head, so that the unfortunate prisoner couldnt see. Than his lower wearing apearal wher undone, and lowered to the Ground. So stood these poor innocent Prisoner naked, in gaze of about 60 soldiers wich had gathered, when the strongest and sturdiest Soldier on the Island, a Resident of Mount Gambier wher handed a Cat of Nine tails with the Cords out of Rohhide knotted at the end, and ordered to deal out 20 lashes. After the first few lashes given, us hearing the yelling and howling of the poor Victim also the Soldier singing out, Give it to him drove us nearly to mutiny. As soon as the 20 lashes had been dealt out, his hands wher released, when he colapsed; the Soldiers adjusting the Victims dress.
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The next wher then the Swede; after being tied in the same fashion, and stripped also he received his lashes. The Verdict had been twenty lashes also, however he wher lucky, for the Cat of Nine tails broke, as the Comandant had no other to substitute he only had the alternative left, to be satisfied in seeing 10 strokes delivered. The Camp Comandants name being Captain Hawkes, Military District Adelaide South Australia. The Residential adresse Parkside, a surburban of Adelaide S.A. The Soldiers name is Thiele
of Mount Gambier South Australia. The Victims after the flogging wher led back to the Hospital tent, wher the doctor put some ointment on their cuts. They then wher admitted to our camp. Having a proffessional photographer in our midst they wher led to his tent, and after hawing the
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camera put into possision, their photo of the Backbody wher taken. While the Victims wher led to the hospital tent, all the soldiers laughing at us, becourse we wher standing in Groups about our camp,but being helpless to do anything, a sergeant major produced the broken Cat of 9 tails and showed same to us. This insult wher unbearable, one of our partie throwing the remark "Allright you australian B. We meet again, after the War, Men to Men. The Echo of those words hardly gone, when we heard the well known Order "Guard turn out" Every prisoner fled for shelter. I run to our Kitchen, I seen the Guard come in, goe to the Kitchen next to ours, and calling out to the cook to come out. When he came out, the sergeant toke a Rifle from one of the Soldiers, and with a mighty
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[indecipherable] ordered same to the gate, with instruction the inocent Prisoner obyed in Quickmarch. The sergeant however keept him allways in reach of the bayonet and keept prodding whenever the chance. After being led to the Comandant, he returned straight back to camp, bleeding profusely. The Photographer also toke the Photo of the part of his anatomy, wher the stabs wher showing. I complained about this to the Military Minister wich came into our camp to preach the Gospel. I demandet of this Minister to report the case to the head-quarter staff, however he declined, telling me he had nothing to do with the diciplinary work, so could not interfere. He wher only our spiritual adviser. I reported this news to the rest of my fellow sufferers. We decided unanimosly, not to patronice
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his sermon again, wich we also dit, becourse we sayd, if a Minister cannot asist in us getting Right and Justice, also to save our lifes, we dit not require his asistance to save our souls. One day about six weeks after this incident, some higher Officials Major Logan visited our camp, to inspect, during their inspection, one of our prisoners with the photos in hand, stepped in front of the highest official a Major, and begged of an interview, for a few minutes. Our camp comandant ordered him to depart but on seeing photos in the mans hand, the Major enquired, what they wher, the prisoner than handet same to the Officer and told our complain, about the flogging, also the Stabbing. With the promise to institute a investigation, also asking permssion to keep those photos he departed with the words "this is not British justice". Their has been a [indecipherable]
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enquiry on the Island, but I am unable to say with what result. Our life during our internment in South Australia wher a terror. This Comandant remained in charge of our camp, untill we wher transferred to Liverpool near Sydney New South Wales, Australia. We also send a letter previous to our departure, sealed, as permitted to us to do by the Headquarters, adressed to the Consul General of the United States of America, complaining of our treatment. This letter never reached its destination but wher confiscated soon after we had handet it over to the Lieutenant Hughes. So I wishe to state hier, the authority in charge of the Prisoners of War, in South Australia, wher very faulty, and needed a lot of investigation at the time of our internment. It wher amusing for us to hear of the Soldier, of the reports wich wher getting printed in Australia, complaining
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about english Prisoners treatment in Germany. If the reporter of the "Advertiser" or "Herald", two leading South Australian Newspapers had wendet his way on a fine afternoon to Torrens Island, and had taken the trouble to enquire about our treatment, he would have been astonished. He would have heard true complaints anough to fill a collum for a week of tru missery and sufferings, endured by Prisoners of War in their own land, wich would hawe put all the complaints about english treatment in Germany in Background. I heard that Prisoners in Germany get new Straw every six months well, I wher interned on the Island for the period of 8 months and never had been supplyd with straw or bedding of any kind, Also with Clothing Food,soaps,ectra, it wher dealt out in unsufficiant quantity and quality to keep sickness and vermin away.
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The News of our transportation and preparation.
When we wher officially informed to be transferred to another Camp, the place unknown, we all received the News with high spirits. We wher shure wherever we wher sent to, it could not not be a worse camp, as far as treatment and convinience wher concerned. Wher to nor how long the journey would last we wher left entirely in the dark, allthough I made several requests to be informed of my destination, so as to enable me to inform my family of my departure, wich I had to leave behind and a mercy to the World. My wife received 10 Shilling separation allowance from the Government, with 2 shilling six pence addet for each Child. I look upon this amount as a starvation allowance, especially with the high prices ruling for foodstuff. Especially if the Wife of a prisoner of war happens to be a frail and delicate person, and not hawing a Bankcredit to draw upon, in her hour of need, wich is very often
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or unable to do odd jobs, for other People better off than the working Class, for wich she gets poorly payd, I think, it is than mostly a case of "Everybody eats, but Mother". I consider the amount granted, by the Military authoritys insufficient to pay for the comodities to keep body and soul together, especially as the head of the family and Breadwinner has been forcibly been taken away from them and keept in idlenes and so unable to earn any money, wich would help his distant family along, at least to a certain extent. I have often pittied the poor australian Women who wher unfortunately married to an Enemy subject, also the offsprings of such a marriage. I am positive the Larder of these unfortunate Mother has been empty on many occasion during the European struggle, also the poor Children crying for Bread, and so adding to the pain pf a proud Mothers
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hearth, just becourse the Father happened to be born in a enemy country, and not in a country wich happened to be fighting side by side with Great Britain. I wher told on my aplication, that my Wife would be notyfied by the authoritys, in due course. My Wife wher notiyfied 2 weeks after my departure. I think it only fair for every married man that he should hawe had to privelege to inform his wife of the departure 3-4 days previously, so as to enable him to receive a visit, and say Au revoir" to his dear ones, trost the poor weeping Mother, as a mans health is allways stronger, and able to bear the pain more easyly, also to fix up anything in need of being attendet to. Owing the neglect of the department in tearing husband and father apart from his family, I am shure these sayd Government has broken many a happy home up for ever.
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The husband and father being disgusted with the Government, in forcing him away [indecipherable] from his family for a yeahr or more, has sayd "good by" to these shores, to look for new fields to earn an honest living. Owing the poor mann not hawing to Cashe to pay his family fare, he has been forced to leave some in Australia, a burden to the Government or Charity. Shurley in many instances their wher no need in tearing Husband and Wife apart, for the good book destinctly tells us "What Good has joined no man shall pull asunder. The australian defence department forgot all about this verse, and tore them apart by the tausend. A man, if proved to be a disloyal, is a menance to the Country, and ought to be interned, but a Man solely of enemy Birth after swearing not to lift a wappen, either for, or against the counrty and ought to be permitted, to
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enjoy his freedom, On Parole in Wartime as well as his freedom in Peacetime.
The Journey
August 10th 1915 we wher ordered to carry all personal luggage to the Beach ready for transportation. Blankets and Plat we had to keep in our possession. Everything in Camp, to remain as it wher. August 11th their wher hussle and bussle again. The Neutral Prisoners wich had been interned wher ordered to remain on the Island. The Swede, wich had received the flogging wher one of them. Through the medium of two powerfull Riverboats, we wher transferred under heavy escort from the Island to the Outer Harbour, the harbour wher all Mail Steamers bound for adelaide discharge and take their freight, Mail and Passengers. After being locked in one of the Goods shed for about 3 hours, we wher ordered to enter the train wich had to take us out of South Australia
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to Victoria, only to be transshipped again for New South Wales. We wher ordered eight prisoners to each compartment, allthough the Railway Regulation permitted for six persones. But as we wher Prisoners of War, and had not payd for our passage ourself, we had to be contented. Seven p.m., we had our first cup of tea issued to us, since morning, with 4 Biscuits and tin meat. During the journey we wher permitted to open the Window of our compartment, but while in a station, these had to be closed. Singing and shouting during the journey wher prohibited. No Prisoner being permitted to speak to any Person outside his compartement except the Guard and Sentry. No Prisoner being permitted to leave his compartment, without notyfying the Sentry. Any prisoner trying to escape would be fired upon. Each Carriage had 2 Soldiers, one stationed at each end. Owing the train being a through
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train with only the necessary stopping places, we reached Melbourne Victoria the next morning. Hier we wher issued tea again 1 Cup per man. Our food ration during the journey being 1lb Biscuits 1lb tin Meat, and two cups of tea daily. Owing our train stopping at a Plattform opposite to a train with we noticed to be filled with human freight also (Soldiers of a Reinforcement) ready to goe to Port Melbourne on board the Transport, the fun began. The Soldiers knowing in our train wher prisoners of war, also our Nativeland being at War with England, Australias Mother Country. we had signs thrown to us, representing all kinds of Death. Some tried to sign only to cut our troths, others lynching, still others, to gorge our eyes out. Through signs only we wher all dead allready. Us Prisoners mimiking backlike, Getting shot, bayoneted, returning
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blind or minus one arm or leg. This continued for a long time. When owing an insult thrown at our compartment by one of the Soldiers concerning our Birth and the respectability of our Mothers, owing my hasty temper, I disobeyed instructions, lowered the Window, and told this Soldier, not to disgrace our Mothers that he could goe wher he liked as a Government Servant, us however prefering to be the same Government Guest. Also that I know, I would receive my discharge at the end of this crisis healthy in Body and Soul, & him however not knowing if ever he had the chance to return, ot if he wher one of the lucky ones, not being minus one arm or leg, or a cripple in some other shape and form. So he should not be too cocky. I had a stule served out to me by the sentry of our carriage, with his Bayonet. Of course I admit I deserved a punishement, however a private Soldier, never has had get the right to punishe, but to
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report, however he toke the punishement in his own hands, their it finished, I never heard no more about the matter. We left Melbourne (Victoria), about dinner time for the other Staate arriving at Junee Albury the border of both states about 6.p.m. Hier we had served one cup of tea again, than we had to change into another train, belonging to the New South Wales Government; Those cariages had more Seating acomodation, in each compartment, so we had our first chance for a journey of about 36 hours, to straighten our legs more freely.
My escape.
In my forced departure from South Australia, the state I had residing in, as a respectable citizen for more than 10 yeahrs, and my forcible separation from Wife and Children, I made my mind up, to make a bolt dash for liberty, at the first oportunity offering, allthough "I would be fired upon", as treatened, however this
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later wher my own look out "During the first half of the journey I had layd my planes. During the second half of our journey I started to work to effect my release, and regain my liberty. Owing us nearring our destination, and nothing had happened wich could be classed seriously against order and discipline, made those in charge of us grow careless. As I had told the Official in charge of the transport, that owing the authority had treated me badly, in refusing me, to be permitted to say "good by" to my family previous to my departure to another staate, they never would get me to the other internement Camp, as a prisoner of War. The Officer gave orders to the sentry to keep a sharp "lookout" on me, and to watch one closely. I wher watched at every mowemement. However as we only wher about 150 miles away from our journeys end a run of 3-4 hours by train, made the guard get careless. About 120 miles from Liverpool the nearest Railway station to the German Concentration
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Camp, I wher permitted to enter the convinience, about 5 a.m. Lowering the Window, I clambered through unto the footboard at the outside of our carriage. Getting a glympsse of the ground, and seeing a white structure, like the entrance to a tunnel or Bridge ahead made me gather my mind quickly. I let goe off my hold and throw myself clear of the carriage. I struck with the face "downwards" I remained in this position, untill the carriages had passed me; I rose than of the ground, and after loosing the straps I had used in tying my overcoat close to my body, so as to prevent any obstacle of the carriage to get hold of any part of my clothing, and so drag me along and possible to my doom, I started to run back, the way the train had come. Fancy the fright I got when on looking back I noticed, the train slowing up. This made me speed for my life, as I thought the sentry had noticed my escape had pulled the
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emergency cord, and so notyfied the Enginedriver to stop the train. I thought it advisable to get away from the Railway line, so noticing a homestead in the distant, I made for it. After scaling a few hedges and fences, I soon reached the outbuildings of the farm. As I know, that the train had pulled up, to a "standstill" compelled me to loose no time in finding a suitable hiding place. This I soon found in one of the out buildings. Finding a tarpaulin I crawled underneath, and remained motionless for about five minutes, when I heard the Whisle of the train. This made me venture to crawl to the Door, to see if the transport had started on its journey again. But o horror. I noticed the train steaming back. Knowing the homestead would be the first to be thoroughly searched, I made for the open again, and run in a stooping position, as fast as my legs would carry me towards some hills about 4 miles away.
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Getting about halfway, I heard the Whisle of the engine again, and seeing the smoke, I know she wher on its journey again, however I dit not know, if their wher any Soldiers left behind to search and watch for the fugitive. Si I still keept on ahead. Ones I reached the hills, my escape wher made easier, as I could venture than to straighten myself. About 11a.m. I reached a deep ravine. While trying to get to the bottom of this, and so in a good hiding place, I slipped, and had a very narrow escape from a certain dead, as if I had not saved myself in holding on to a tree, while I slipped on a 70 degree I would hawe farllen amongst those Rocks at the bottom, and if it had not been a sudden dead, I would have been left their to die sooner or later, as their wher no human soul near for miles. However after an hour carefull stepping I reached the bottom. Not knowing my whereabouts, nor the Country, but being bent
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on putting as much distant between the Railwayline and myself, I walked along this Ravine through Water and over rocks for miles. About 3 p.m. I ventured out in the open again, owing the travelling in this ravine being heavy and rocks allways hadicapping my speed. Climbing the Hill again, and walking through the Bushe, I got to a Limekiln, wher a Limeburner wher buisy at work throwing wood into the lires. This Limeburner, taking me for a Sundowner or tramp, made me a Billycan full of tea, wich I enjoyed immensely, it being mt first warm drink since the night previous. He also gave me a cap, as I wher hatles, hawing lost my hat, while falling as stated previously. After enquiring about the road to get in the opposite direction to the railway line, I left, but made my way right opposite to wich I wher directed, thinking it adviseable, in case my escape should have
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been notified to the Police, and those might send a trooper to search the Wood. My suspicion turned out right. While walking through the Bushe close to the Road, I noticed a teamster with a load of wood coming in my direction. While hiding in a Bushe, awaiting his passing me, I noticed besides the driver, also a trooper in company of a lad of about 13 yeahrs of age, behind the Lorry. The trooper pushing a Bicycle. I consideret my lucky stare when they had passed, as my liberty would not have lastet five minutes had I been seen by any of those three, as the trooper wher armed with a revolver outside his Uniform. After running for miles, to put as much distant between myself and the Man of the Law, I reached the open again, a big sheep paddock. This being just sundown. Owing it hawing rained mostly all afternoon, my Waterproof Coat
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being unable to keep the wett out any longer I wher drenched to the skin. Owing it getting duske and me being tired and worn out, I strained my eyes, to find a resting place for the night. While being on this mission, I noticed a man coming riding in my direction. Owing hawing no covering near, escape wher out of the question. So keeping on my way, thinking it to be a trooper, and so shurly armed, I made up my mind, to try, to keep my liberty, through the medium of "Bluff" I admitt, I wher desparete at the time, and would have trespassed any law of the Land "if need had compelled me" to, to regain my freedom. However my fears wher groundless as the Rider turned out to be the "boundry rider"an employee of the Station, to watch the stock and the fences. This Boundary Rider had taken me for a Rabbit trapper, so wher goimg to forbid me from setting traps in this sayd paddock owing sheep grazing in same. After conversing
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very coutionously, enquiring of my wherabouts also the distant from the nearest Town or homestead I found out, that he could not be looking for me, or even that he know anything of my escape. However I keept a sharp "lookout" on my companiones, incase of any treachery, as I had lost all faith in Australianes, owing my last 9 months experience. However he turned out, to be a kind hearthed and generous old Gentleman. He offered to lead me in the Rain six miles away to a Shearing shead, the offer wich I very much apreciated I wher hardly able to keep pace with the Horse, he wher riding. On our way, he told me, I would find in the shead a fireplace wher I would be able, to dry my saturated Clothes, also wood to make a fire, as Shwagman used to reat their on frequent ocassiones during Nights. This enlightened my spirits again, and my hearth rose. Fancy when I got
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within 200 yards of the Sheth, I found out to be back at the same Homestead, on wich I had seeked shelter shortly after my escape. I must have walked in a circle all the day. Thanking the kind Boudary Rider, and wishing him "Good Night" I entered the Shet. I found a good fire allready burning and two shwagmen asleep on the floor. It had not five minutes elapsed from the time of me entering when I had all my outer Garnements hanging around the fireplace for drying. Finding one of the inhabitants awake, and me being hungry I enquired of same "If he could possible sell me some food. On being informed , that he only had a pice of bread to spare, I procured this for the sum of sixpence. Allthough it wher only a Crust, it wher better than nothing to a hungry Man. I must admitt, this pice of dry Bread at that time tasted better, then the best cake procurable, at any Bakery shop.
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Finding my waterproof coat drye, also an old newspaper I put the last named on the floor, and used it for matrace, a poor substitute no doubt. The waterproof coat, I used for Blanket. Owing me being dead tired, I thought sleep would befall me soon, however I wher mistaken. Finding the board of the hut extra hard, I kept on, turning over and over, I expected to be four cornerd the next morning. However knowing to have my liberty back, I wher willing to endure any amount of hardships imagenable. The next morning, after receiving a drop of tea, from one of my sleep companions, and after having enjoyed a washe in a creek wich flowed close by, I left on my 120 miles journey for Sydney N.S.W. I kept clear of all townships at first, and keeping to the Bushe as much as possible, buying food from farms and homesteads on my way. Mostly of my traveling I done during the night, by the
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light of the moon. I could have procured a Railway ticket, and so reached my destination by Rail, however I thought this inadvisable, as at every station, big or shmal, there is allways a Australian trooper to meet and look inside every compartment. So I might have been detected, and rearested again. So I preffered to walk or tramp as it is generally called in this Part of the Globe. Reaching near Moss Vale N.S.W. seeing a light in the Bushe about Midnight, I made for it. Hier I found a Rabbit trapper, just hawing finished his midnight round, looking after his traps, and enjoying a cup of tea. Being invited to a cup of tea also, needless to say, wich I gladly accepted, he offered to give me also a nights rest inside of his tent. The next morning, as this trapper had to deliver his "catch" to town, he gave me a "lift" a distant of about 12 miles. After driving me, at my
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request trough bacl streets, for safety sake, we arrived at the outskirts of Moss Vale. Handing him a letter adressed to my unfortunate home and asking him to post same, I wished him "good by" and started "per foot" on my journey again, towards the Capital City of New South Wales Australia, about 90 miles distant. Hawing passed through one town, I ventured to pass through the next, wich turned out to be a buisy town, owing its Quarry works near by. Being on a Saturday afternoon, and a half holiday for the Australian Workingmen, the Streets wher crowdet with Navies. After enjoying a good meal at a Restaurant, also two Pint of Beer, the first I have had in 9 months I wendet my way onwards. On reaching another town, I meet a trooper; Oeing my travel stained clothing, I wher asked, how far I had come. I suseceedet in bliffing him, that I wher a Citizen of Sweden, and had been in the employ at a
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Bridge, wich I had seen in course of errection some miles back. This trooper informed me that I resembled very much a German wich had escaped during transit from Melbourne to Sydney, however that if I wher a Swede, I could not be a German, with a hearltry "Good Luck" he left me. Little he dreamt that I wher the "right man" and even carried photos in my possession, of our ill treatment, while in Internement at South Australia, wich I wher trying to deliver in Sydney to be forwardet on to the american assembly and the German Government. Not knowing the Roads, and it getting dark, I wendet my way across paddocs ectra. Fancy the fright I received, when I wher called upon a soldier leveling his Rifle at me to "Halt". This instruction I obeyed at ones, I could see the cold steel of the Bayonet at the end of his Rifle. I wher asked "my business" and on me telling
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him, that I wher a Wanderer, on my way to Sydney, also that I had lost my way, he escortet me to a Road about a mile distant, leading to Campden. On me enquiring if I had tresspassed I wher informed, that I had been on the Water Race, or Reservoir, wich supplied all Sydney with Water. This is a sign, the Australian Government had taken precaution, in guarding the Watercatching Area very closely, and so prevented any enemy subject from veturing to near to do any misschif, like poisening the Water ectra. However acording my opinion the Government could have saved the expencess of Soldier Guards, for any purposses of this sort. As firstly it would have taken 1000 gallons of strong poison, previous it could do a slight dammage amongst those Milliones of Gallons of Water stored their in the Reservoir secondly, I think it impossible, that their would hawe been an Enemy subject alive, bad enough
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to stoop so low, as to commit Murder wholesale. However the Government thought it the safest policy, and closed the Well, previous to the drowning of "the Child". I reached Liverpool, wher the Soldiers Drilling Camp is situated, also the German Concentration Camp, wich contained all Enemy Subjects interned in Australia, about Dinnertime 4 days after my escape and 19 miles from Sydney. I toke it to be the safest to goe ones more through the Bushe, and steer clear of the town. From hier, I could see soldiers drilling by the tousends, previous to being sent to the Front somewher in Flanders, Gallipoli or Egypt, and be used for Cannonfeed. Being clear of all danger I ventured out towards the Main Road, wich I reached close towards the Warwick Farm Race Course. On this Race Course the Government wher also drilling Recruits. Ones on the Road, I sitt down to
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to have a Rest. While resting several higher Officials of the Australian Imperial Force, rode past me without taking any notice, of the tired out traveler. If they had only dreamt, that I wher a German, my arrest would hawe been shure and this Officer could hawe credited himself with a "great Victory" for wich no doubt he also advanced in Rank. After having a decant Rest, I observed a Motor Lorry coming from Liverpool, and going towards Sydney. I got permission from the driver to jump in and hawe a Ride, I toke my seat beside him. Of course we conversed together. I had ti Bluff again. I told him owing him knowing me being a foreigner, that I wher a Russian, born in Warsaw. I had applied to the Russian Consul at the comencement of the War, to be forward to Russia, as I wher a Reservist. Owing this being impossible to get me thar, and patriotic like I had tramped to Liverpool
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trying to enlist. Owing me being well build, young and healthy, the Driver of course made shure I had passed all examinations and being accepted in the Austrlaina Forces. I told him, I hads passed all examinations, but owing me not speaking perfect englishe, I had been rejected. This seemingly amused the Driver, and with the Remark "you speak englishe plain anough". He pulled up at an Hostelery. After a few drinks we proceedet on our way. He told me, he had delivered Bread to the German Concentration Camp. Also what fine time, they seemingly had. I sidet with him of course. In due course we reached Sydney, and I left him, thanking him for the ride, him passing the Remark "Never mind you harwe showed, you did not suffer with cold feet" what of course meant, you wher not afraid to fight. He wher right, I like to fight if there is a big gate. But when it comes to fight with Bullets, Worker against Worker, for the sake
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of gaining some territory, from wich I never receive an inch, I only follow, after my masters, and the higher socity class has left for the front. For I hawe nothing to defend, but my little Homestead and family, and this I am able to do with out the aid of Bullets, and Murder wholesale.
In the Capital of Australia and my experients.
Wending my way, to a friends residence, an australian I wher lucky in finding same home. I know he could be trusted, so I explained to him my experients. Owing some Soldiers of our transport hawing told him of my escape, he know all about it allready. I wher made at home, and after tea we patronised a Cinomatograph in company of his Wife. Me acting the attentive Husband, while away from Home lessened the riske. On the way to and from the Show, we passed several Gents of the Law, however owing me hawing a Lady, my wife on my arm, cast off suspicion. No one ever seemed to trouble the attentive husband
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Having my accomodation in a City Hotel under a Swedishe Name, I remained in the City 3 Weeks without ever even being suspected. Owing my friends Business being slack, through the European Crisis, we had plenty of time laying idle on our hands. So we viewed the City both during the day and the lovely summer nights, patronising Theathers, Concerts even Charitable Concerts in aid to help to swell the funds of several Socitys, as Australia had about 50 different funds, all claiming to do some good in this War. Their wher all begging for supscriptiones, and never getting anough. No doubt some wher with sence, others wher only to catch the unawhares. During these Outings, I allways acted the good kind and attentive Husband. The real Husband acting as our Guest untill we arrived back ay my place of acomodation, when my Friend had to take charge of his "better half" again.
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We allways enjoyed the joke imensely. One day I meet a Soldier wich had deserted out of Camp. He had served in the Light Horse Camp and still wore his Uniform. On him telling me his plight, of being also anxcious in getting arrested, as the Military Police wher looking for him. A chance and good idea struck me. I offered him Civilian attire, wich offer he eagerly asceptet. Wending our way to the Hotel at wich I wher residing, we soon transferred our Clothing. The Soldier in a smart Civilian attire and me a proud Australian Light Horse Soldier? We wher in close company for about one Week. Owing me being hardly detectible by my tomage to be a foreigner being taken mostly for a Welshe Man, I wher very cheeky.I never gave a liable arrest a second thought. I never thought I stood a good chance in getting two yeahrs in Government Jail, if caught masquerading in the Kings
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Uniform, and as shurley to be taken to be a Spy. My Friend, his Wife, the Soldier and myself being all young and on mischief bent, we turned out to be a lucky cloverleaf and a happy quartet. After a week in Uniform, acting on the advice of my friend, I discardet same, for civil attire again. I made my mind up to visit the Boundary Rider at Moss Vale and to give him a surprise with a visit, made me board the express bound for the country. Reaching the destination about midnight, I sleept in the Hotel close to the Station. After Breakfast I wendet my way to the Post Office to send a telegram for him to come into town. While writing the necessary form, a Police Constable entered to call for the Police Mail. This Officer of the Law recognised me, him having been in the Police force at Broken Hill previous to the War. As the Military authoritys wher hawing send issues of my warrant out Broadcast, bluff wher out of the question
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this time. I wher arrested by him and compelled to follow to the Police Station. So the saying of "the jug gets carried to the well, till she breaks", proves ones more true.
My arrest, Lock Up, and transpoitation.
I looked upon my arrest as a bit of stiff luck, but owing me hawing corespondence in my pocket, wich I had received during my stay in Sydney, under my alias, I still gave "Bluff" a chance and keept on continuing "pitching tails". During the afternoon I wher brought before the lokal Magistrate. Owing me refusing to swear that I never had been in an internment Camp in Australia, I wher ordered to be handet over to the Military Authoritys. I preffered to goe back into Concentration, and being relieved at the end of the struggle without a stain upon my Character, than commit perjury, and retain my liberty I wher led back to the Police Station and locked
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up in a Cell. Now I wher a prisoner ones more. I wher detained hier for 8 days, previous of the arrival of my escort. I wher glad when about 11 a.m., on a Sunday morning these came. As the Blankets in the Police Cell also the floors and walls wher vermin infested. My escort consistet of a Lieutenant and two soldiers. On me being handkuffed, I wher led to the Railway station, and had to await about two hours on the plattform, previous to the arrival of the train bound for Liverpool. While standing at the Station handkuffed, all eyes looked upon me, as if I wher a Murderer, or a well known Convict. I looked upon these, as the greatest humiliation possible. I know I had made a bolt bit for liberty, and so acted against the Law. However the Australian Government even acted against the Law also made at the Hague Convention and signed
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by Great Britian, in wich it says that any Government at War, is compelled to give Enemy subjects residing in the state, reasonable time, to quitt such state, or else being liable to be interned. The Australian Government, not even an official party of the declaration of War, but acting in defence of England (The Mother country) never give its Enemy subjects residing in the Colonies, not even 12 hour notice to quitt, but interned with out Notice. So when one party acts against Regulationes, to my esteunation the other is justified in doing the same. If any Resident in Australia can prove, that same ever heard of any Notification being issued requesting Enemy subjects to quitt the Staate in any certain time, I am willing to forfeit $pound;100 to any charitable Institution in Australia. So to my estimation, if a staate can view
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the rules of the Hague Convention, as a "scrap of Paper" I think I can look upon Rules made by this sayd Government during the War, with justification, as only a "Scrap of Paper". On arrival of the train, I wher led handkuffed to an open Cariage compartement, comprising Room for about 60 Passengers. Owing this compartemnt being containing about 20 Persons, all eyes during the journey, wher allways in my direction. Needless to say I wher glad, when the train reached our Destination. Being ordered to leave the Cariage, me being handcuffed all the while, a Soldier got on each side of me and the Lieutenant behind. Owing the concentration Camp being 4 miles away, and it getting dark the Lieutenant ordered a Motor taxi at the expence of the Government, we got on Board, and in less than half
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an hour, I sighted the lights of the Concentration Camp, my future forced home. On our arrival I wher taken before the Comandant, to account why I should not be punished for my escape out of detention. I told the comandant everything concerning myself. I told him of my arrival as a youth in Australia, that I wher married to an Australian Women, also that, I wher the father of two australian born Children, he pittied me. However being unable to release me alltogether, I wher put into the Concentration Camp, without punishment for the offence of any sort. Being led to the Stores, I wher handet a pice of Hessian, some twine, to make a straw sack, also seven pound of straw. 1 Plate tin mug, Knife Forke and Spoon, also a Firemans Rag. Previous to entering the gate, I wher ordered, to report myself the following Monday morning "to Work"
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I sayd "All right", however thought no power on Earth would me compell to work, as I could not be classed as a Prisoner of War, but wher symple a "Civil Internet" for wich their is no power given to any Government to enable same, to request them, to work against their Will. Previous to me stating my live in the Concentration Camp, I wishe to inform the Reader of an Enquiry held hier the first Week in March 1916, regarding our treatment while in South Australia. Same is the sworn evidence, word for Word, in acordance of the Copy wich wher handet to the Instigator of the Enquiry, a Prisoner of War also, by the board of enquiry.
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No. 3
The Internement Camp. Liverpool. N.S.W. Australia.
September 2nd 1914, about 100 Seafaring Members of German-English, American,& Scandinavian Ships, wich happened to be berthed in snook harbours of Australia, wher arrested by the Military Authority, and put into a Camp, surroundet by barbwire. The position of the Camp is the present light Horse Camp of the Australian Imperial Force. About 40 Members ocupied, seven, of the wellknown round Military Tent, the rest in 2 Marquees – Tent. The Soldiers & Officers, send by the Authoritys, to guard the Pris, ocupied the same ground ocomodation & food. We wher than a happy family nothing of the military disciplin, as we had to leave later. We wher like a picnic Party, Soldiers to Civilian Prisoners alike. We wher pittied by the Soldiers on more than one occasion, & told that, we would be following our former ocupation in about six months time, as Germany would be beaten by than, the Allies would have marched "Unter den Linden" on their way to the Emperors Palace to "dictate Peace-Terms" & Australia would get the Money payd back for our Maintenance, from the German Emperors, usually called "Kaiser Bill" the most hated Man in this Hemispher wich also got all blame for starting this War. But for these the Australian Newspapers wher solely to blame, for the