Open Morning, Saturday 18 May

We warmly invite you to join us for our Opening Morning. Meet the boys, the Head Master and the teachers and tour the school.

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23 March 2023

Online Talk – WW1 German Prisoner of War Camps in Bedfordshire

Online Talk – WW1 German Prisoner of War Camps in Bedfordshire

May 25 | 19:30 - 21:00

At the outbreak of WW1 several thousand civilian aliens were living, working and holidaying in Britain. The public in general believed that many individuals with German-sounding names were potential spies or saboteurs; accordingly, all were arrested, questioned, and any considered a threat to security were imprisoned for the remainder of the war. As fighting progressed on the Western Front, many thousand German combatants were captured and brought to Britain rather than being held in camps in Europe, from where they might escape and re-join their units. Both civilians and combatants were termed Prisoners of War (POWs). By 1916 so many Britons had enlisted in the British army there was a severe manpower shortage in industry and on the land. Employing women was insufficient so POWs were used to fill vacancies; they were accommodated in working camps, located where labour was needed. In Bedfordshire POWs were used in agriculture, forestry and river cleaning.

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Dr Colin Chapman (46-57) is a retired Chartered Scientist, Chartered Chemist and Chartered Engineer. He is an International speaker and author of many publications related to social and family history. He originated the 3-letter Chapman County Code for British Isles counties forming the basis for British and International Standards. He is Patron of the Bedfordshire Family History Society and President of three other county Societies, a Fellow and Vice President of the Society of Genealogists. He is a recognised authority on WW1 German internees and POWs held in British hands, having undertaken research in Britain, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand and North America.

 

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