Isle of Man Internment medal

[woronora]

Hi

Can anyone tell me about Isle of man medal to aliens interned there during WW1, as shown in the image?

Many thanks in advance.

Cheers

John

[johnG]

I had not heard of this medal before and look forward to hearing more as it is a subjecr which interests me, having had an uncle on my mother's side of the family interned there during WW2, whilst at the same time his son was serving with the Black Watch.

[Brennapen]

I am trying to find out about an internment medal for the Islington Camp in London which belonged to my Grandfather. It is very similar to the Isle of Man medal in both size design and the wooden case. Strangely it also has the date 1914 - 1916. I do not know who designed the medal or who made it but my guess is that it was someone with the name Gunther. The name Gunther appears on the edge of the medal but is so small it requires good eyesight and a strong magnifier to see it. It is however very clear and set in an oval imprint. I wondered whether 'Gunther' was in Islington and was transferred to the Isle of Man but now that I have seen your picture with the same date it seems perhaps he was transferred from the Isle of Man to Islington. The Islington Camp was originally a Victorian work house. The German Nationals put there were considered to be of no threat and were often seen out of the camp on a Saturday shopping for toiletries. All records for the internees were lost in a fire between WW1 and WW2, though I strongly suspect that in fact MI5 have the details which they do not actually deny. MI5 was formed before WW1 to look for enemy agents and were notably successful in their task, hence the reason for the Islington Camp housing those of no threat. Many were very poor and some may have been Sugar Bakers from London. It would be good to hear from you if the name Gunther is on your medal.

[Peter Brydon]

I have two books "The Isle of Man and The Great War" and "A military History of the Isle of Man" both by B.E. Sargeaunt.

No apparent mention of the medal in either books. It is interesting that there were 26,000 people interned on the Island during WW1 so there could be quite a number of these medals in existance.

P.B.

[Peter Brydon]

Just recieved this from a friend on the Isle of Man-

"There were 2 for the POW camp at Knockaloe, which is near Peel. This housed up to 23,000 men at one time. The other medal was based on the camp at Douglas.Now that eBay is up and running, you often see the medals from all corners of the world for sale, and are not really scarce as they used to be.

They can often be found in fitted cases made from oak or whatever could be scrounged from around the camps."



P.B.