First World War • German Prisoner of War Memorabilia

During the Great War Bermuda was host to another group of prisoners. These were from the Central Great Powers to be precise fifty six Germans and two Austro-Hungarian detainees, mostly captured from merchant ships voyaging in our area. They were kept on one island in the Great Sound, Ports Island, and, if reports from neutral authorities such as the Swiss Consul in New York are true, they were well cared for.

Meals were by no means Spartan, probably rather better than Bermudians themselves were getting. Beer could be had for 5 pence a pint, cigarettes, ten for 31⁄2pence. For entertainment there was a football field. Swimming was popular. Some were talented musicians and a piano had been hired. Groups were taken to Hamilton to the movies. A scattering of reading matter was available

As a main source of income those who had the dexterity carved cedar souvenirs and other trinkets There was a demand for these until America joined the fighting in 1917. Many of the souvenirs reflected their maker’s links to the sea. To quote Andy Bermingham an expert in this field; ‘A model ship in an electric light bulb and miniature life belts are amongst the legacy of items which stand testimony to the prisoners’ skill. Cedar items included napkin rings, boxes of various sizes, walking sticks, picture frames and desk fittings’.

Obviously there is only a very limited amount of this material about as there were so few able to produce it.