Thursday 24 January 2013

German PoWs in Ireland 1914-1915


Templemore
Richmond Barracks in Templemore, Co Tipperary seems to have been used to hold about 2300 German (and possibly Austrian) prisoners of war from the early days of WW1 through to about March 1915. The prisoners were then moved to Lancashire, England on the pre-text that there were problems with the sanitation at the barracks. It subsequently appears that the authorities were concerned with attempts by local Irish Volunteers to make contact with the prisoners.

There isn't a lot of information about the PoWs time at Richmond.

The UK National Archives mentions that :
Berthold Hilscher, Adjutant in the Reserve Regiment 211, interned in Templemore, Ireland: notification of promotion to rank of lieutenant; transfer to officers' camp.

http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0116.pdf#page=5

http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/col_yr_bk_english.pdf

Oldcastle, Co Meath
Oldcastle appears to have been used as an internment centre for German and Austrian civilians though there is some mention of German soldiers being there. Again, information is hard to come by.

http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0161.pdf#page=12

http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0215.pdf#page=7

http://newsandsport.ie/leads/read/items/oldcastles-wartime-role-to-be-explored

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Oldcastle/

Mountjoy Prison
It would appear that a number of Germans were held in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin for some reason. Possibly to do with contact with Irish Volunteers (this is pure speculation on my part at this stage and needs further investigation) :

http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0942.pdf#page=2


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