Following the popularity of my Fort Henry post, I thought I would share a brief look at another important internment camp in Canada – Camp 30 near Bowmanville, Ontario. Approximately seventy-five kilometers east of Toronto, Camp 30 was built around a former boys training school on the outskirts of the town. Camp 30 opened inContinue reading “Camp 30 – Bowmanville: Then and Now”
Tag Archives: Prisoner of War
Camp 31 – Fort Henry: Then and Now
Of all twenty-eight-or-so internment camps in Canada during the Second World War, I can only think of five that have either changed relatively little or haven’t been completely destroyed (at least from the external appearance) in the last seventy years. Among these few is Camp 31 (originally Camp F) at Fort Henry in Kingston, Ontario.Continue reading “Camp 31 – Fort Henry: Then and Now”
Can Anyone ID this Luftwaffe Pilot?
This is a bit of a longshot, but does anyone happen to recognize the individual second from the left? He looks extremely familiar but I have been unable to place him. The picture was taken at Camp 44 at Grande Ligne, Quebec, likely in the Summer of 1943. Apart from the fact that he isContinue reading “Can Anyone ID this Luftwaffe Pilot?”
An Athlete: Leutnant Hilmar Schmidt
Continuing my last post’s brief discussion of sports in PoW camps in Canada, today’s post showcases a few pieces in my collection relating to the sporting achievements of one German officer in Camp 30. Camp 30, located in Bowmanville, Ontario, was among the many camps to have organized sporting events. The camp was built aroundContinue reading “An Athlete: Leutnant Hilmar Schmidt”
Sports behind Barbed Wire
Life behind barbed wire was generally monotonous and strictly regulated and for those spending upwards of five years in internment camps were liable to suffer significant mental strain. In an attempt to both prevent this and to break-up their daily routine, among the many activities organized by PoWs were sporting events. A variety of teamsContinue reading “Sports behind Barbed Wire”
I hope there aren’t any late fines…
Ergebnisheft zum Rechenbuch: für den Unterricht in der Wehrmacht and in English, the Results Booklet for Arithmetic Book: for the Teaching of the Wehrmacht Printed in Dresden in 1938, this small book has had an interesting life. As the stamps on the front suggest, some time in the early 1940s, the German Red Cross sentContinue reading “I hope there aren’t any late fines…”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of my readers! Here’s a particularly relevant piece from my collection, a Christmas card send from PoWs to one of their captors. This card is addressed to Sergeant-Major James Ogilvie Thomson, a member of the Veterans’ Guard who was employed as the camp quartermaster at CampContinue reading “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”
Birthday Behind Barbed Wire
Having recently celebrated my 26th birthday, I can’t help think how differently this PoW celebrated his. Unfortunately, I do not know his name (might be Hans), but this individual celebrated his birthday in 1943 as a PoW in Canada, likely in in Medicine Hat or Lethbridge. This card was made by one (Fredl) or moreContinue reading “Birthday Behind Barbed Wire”
German Remembrance Day 2014
As I am in the midst of my comprehensive exams, this is a just a quick update! The annual German Remembrance Day service is being held on Sunday, November 16. This service takes place at Woodland Cemetery in Kitchener, Ontario (119 Arlington Boulevard) at 2:30 p.m. For more information, please visit the German Embassy’s website.
Following In Their Footsteps
For my 50th post and my one-year anniversary on WordPress, I’d like to share what I’ve been up to these last few weeks. Two years ago, I was forwarded an email from someone in Germany whose father had spent time in Canada during the Second World War as a prisoner of war. Lutz, the senderContinue reading “Following In Their Footsteps”
POWs in Canada 