Internee Letter 12.9.43
The text reads
Dear Bern and Bett, Just a line hoping to find you all O.K. as it leaves us at present. Well Bern I am getting your fags alright now for which I thank you very much. Now don't think me ungrateful but there is now no need for you to send us any clothing or footwear parcels. As the Red X have sent all of us more than we need. Please let Elsie know. If at any time we need anything I will ask for it. and I know you will do your best. News from home is that everybody is O.K. They send their love to you and Elsie and hope to see you all very soon. By the way they write the are bearing up very well. Ma wrote a cheerful letter a few days ago It was quite a treat to see her own handwriting Well Bern I think things are drawing to a close so we will soon be having that Mary Ann? Cheerio for now love to you all. Bob. Doll and kids.
I have no idea what Mary Ann means in the penultimate line, could be a drink of some sort. Cockney rhyming slang Mary Ann is hand, or a man who helps with the housework. God only knows, and she's probably the only one who cares.
Internee Cards 3.10. and 18.10.43
There is still a Metropole Hotel on Jersey, but it is quite modern looking. The news about Billie and Didie must have come from Florence. Grandad's telegram told Emily take their mum and stay at Billie's earlier in the year. Perhaps Billie is the mysterious William about whom I know nothing.
Internee Letter 11.10.43The text reads
Dear Betty, Received your very welcome letter a couple of days ago. Are you having trouble with your teeth or was it just one. Mournful business isn't it. Bob has had his bottom teeth out since he has been here and also has had a new set in. they are very nice too, Bobby has not been too well for about a week, he's had flu, in hospital but is alright again, soon to be out. Bernice has started knitting she finds it a troublesome business, she drops more than she knits yet, I'm afraid so don't order a jumper, have you heard from Elsie lately we hear pretty regularly from her, ever 2-3 weeks, and as you say we love receiving letters, but writing is a different matter, especially in our case, we do not get anything but camp chat, to talk about, which would not interest anybody. Well Betty how long is this business going to carry on, seems endless, sometime, here's hoping we'll see one another again soon, Best of luck, don't forget to write regularly, we live for news of everyone, Love Doll, Bob and Kids.
After the Jerseyman. Dr Oliver was transferred to Laufen camp in Jan 43, he was replaced by an American, Dr Roscoe, and 'the International Red Cross Committee -- described Dr Roscoe as a troublemaker and --- he was transferred to another camp and later repatriated to America in 1944.' The dentist was British, a man called Dr Tucker, who 'executed marvellous work with the limited resources available to him.' He would use the facilities of the local German dentist as the Wurzach laboratory was unheated and lacked equipment. Islanders Deported Roger Harris.
Internee Card 21.11.43
It seems they received 6 parcels in very short order and all in good condition.
Internee Letter 20.12.43
The text reads
Dear Bern Betty Just a line hoping you are all well as we are, heard from Mum and Em, also Didie last week, and send their best wishes and love to you all. Lets us hope by this time next year, we will be able to be together for Xmas and New Year like the good old times. I and Bernice have just come out of the hospital today after a months stay. Glad to be back I can tell you, nothing serious. Will you have Bern home for Christmas, don't forget to give him our very best wishes for Xmas and New Year. Have not heard from you and Elsie for about 3 weeks, but of course, owing to season I suppose postal arrangements are a bit crowded. The are arranging a children's party and carnival dance for them, to give the kiddies in camp a good time, Well Betty must close now, wishing you and Betty and Bernice all the very best and sincerely hope we will all meet together again in New Year, Best of love from Doll, Bob and Kids.
Dolly says that she and Bernice have just come out of hospital. The most likely event for 2 people of the same family to be in hospital together was a large out break of scarlet fever, at its peak in Dec 43. Such a mundane statement 'nothing serious', perhaps she was not allowed to say anything as an epidemic would not be to the credit of the Germans, and that kind of specific comment would be censored. However there were plenty of drugs available and emergency cases were quickly sent to German hospitals.
Diary Notes from The German Occupation of Jersey
by L.P.Sinel
Sept 12 1943 More thunder, and a hailstorm causes some damage. Big German sports meeting at F.B. Fields.
Oct 5 1943 --- A robbery was effected at a German depot; over 2 1/2 tons of sugar were taken away in a motor lorry.
Oct 11 1943 Extras (rations) issued of 100 saccharins and 4oz of margarine for everybody and five boxes of matches per household.
Oct 18 1943 Details of paraffin rationing.
Nov 21 1943 -- it is prohibited, after the 29th inst, to sell by auction, carpets, linoleum, rugs and other floor coverings, whatever their value.
Dec 20 1943 A young lady, alleged to have thrown horse manure at a column of troops and sentenced recently to three months imprisonment, appealed against the sentence at a court martial yesterday, with the result that she had it doubled.
Wurzach notes from Islander Deported by Roger Harris
Oct 1943 The drainage was renewed in the camp and there was then said to be enough latrines with water flushes on each floor of the building.
Oct 31 1943 The weather today --- is lovely, the sun being very warm for the time of year.
Nov 6 1943 Frankfurt was badly-damaged in a bombing raid and much of the internee mail was destroyed.
Dec 1 1943 I went to Mr Bull's funeral with Mr Finch our room leader, and so paid our last respects to a man everybody liked.
There is now a monument of Jersey granite in Wurzach honouring the 12 people who died in the internment camp.
More soon.
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