William Henry Barnard - Royal Naval Division

[RobertS]

I have been researching my aunts' father, William Henry Barnard, He served as a stoker in the Royal Navy between 1901 and 1913 and on leaving the RN joined the RFR (Royal Fleet Reserve?) At the beginning of WW1 he is recalled and his service record shows he was "interned in Holland after retreat from Antwerp".

The service record doesn't show me, at least as far as I have been able to read it that he was definitely a member of the Royal Naval Division sent to Antwerp. Is there any way to find out ? and any way of finding where he would have been interred?

Regards

Robert S

[horatio2]

Robert, Your man was interned in Groningen have crossed the border from Belgium. He was in Collingwood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division and many others of that Bn. wound up as prisoners of war in Germany. He was, indeed, Royal Fleet Reserve, having served the twelve years of his limited engagement and was called forward from the RFR August 1914 to form the initial manning for the RND. His RND Record Card is at the Fleet Air Arm Museum (01935 842628) and they probably have his enlistment papers as well.

H2

[horatio2]

Further to my last, he was, of course, entitled to the 1914 Star and Clasp for his part in the Defence of Antwerp. I assume (not having seen his record) that he remained in iternment until the Armistice, although several men did escape back to England and rejoined their service.

H2

[RobertS]

H2,

Thank you for the information this more than I could have expected.

Regards

Robert

[michaeldr]

Backing-up H2's info above

You will find an entry for your aunt's father in Fevyer & Wilson's book 'The 1914 Star to the RN & RM' see page 33

Barnard, W. H., Sto1, 299297 'I'(Interned in Holland) received his Star 1st May 1919 and clasp 22nd June 1920

Best of luck with your further researches

Michael

[nilis11]

Robert,

W.H. Barnard, was probably interned in Groningen, in Engelse kamp, also known as Timbertown, as it was made of wooden barracks. There is nothing left of these barracks only a small monument is there to mark the spot of the camp. Engelse kamp was fillled with RND men and was a well organized camp. They had their own football competition, based on their battalion. The men were alowed to leave the camp, only under strict supervision by guards. For instance to go into Groningen to visit the dentist's. ( and having a stiff drink while at it).

Have a look at this site, you'll find pictures there and some more info on Engelse kamp

www.war1418.com/refugees/index.htm

nilis

[RobertS]

Thanks, you guys are brilliant!

RobertS

[Borden Battery]

The English Camp / Engelse Kamp – Special Internment Camp in Holland

On 11th October 1914, 1,500 men of the First Royal Naval Brigade, upon arrival in Holland from the retreat from Belgium, were interned (in accordance with International Law), in Groningen, a city in northern Holland. Behind the present-day Mesdagkliniek (the former city jail) a complete encampment was erected on the parade ground of the Rabenhauptkazerne (the local military barracks, situated opposite this prison). The British called themselves “HMS Timbertown”. A unique website on an obscure part of Great War history. [CEF Study Group – Nov 2008][Recommended by Guido Blokland]

http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/englishcamp/