HMS Timbertown, part 4

[Henk de Groot]

Life, day be day, in an internment camp.

6:30- wake-up call, one hour for washing, shaving and breakfast.

8:45- morning march and camp duties

12:30-Lunch

13:30-another group was put the work, whilst others could keep themselves busy with their own work, study or sports.

           groups of 400 internees-at-a-time were allowed to go the cinema in town.

16:30-Tea, after tea another group could go on "shore leave" in the city.

22:00- Everybody must be back in camp for the night.

Boredom soon became a problem, so courses were set up:

           -foreign languages

           -navigation

           -accountancy, and other subjects

Sports were much preferred, particulary football was very popular.

Real interest in coursework took off later in 1916, when British examiners took officially recognised exams.

Other sports included: athletics, tennis and cricket.

Not only competitions between the men themselves, but also with clubs from the city.

Barely a week after the arrival of the men in Groningen a footballmatch was played against GVV FC, a local club from Groningen.

The internees won: 5-0.

The men had plenty of time for relaxation,such as reading, cabaret and music.

In early 1915 a large recreational hall was build.

Performances were given by various groups, such as Timbertown Dramatic Society, Timbertown Operatic Society, Timbertown Follies,

This last group  even gave well-attended performances outside the camp in several Dutch cities. Takings were always forwarded to charity.

To be continued...........

 

 

 

 

[CoachCarole]

Hello Henk

I am interested in other Parts of this story and wonder if you can direct me to your archived materials. I am especially interested in the archives of the Timbertown Operatic Society, of which my relative may have been a member whilst interned at Groningen.

Carole