CHAPTER XI

EMPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH INTERNED —CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS —TECHNICAL TRAINING —SCHEME OF DR. GARNETT

The facilities afforded by the Swiss to the French, Belgian, and German Interned, as explained in the foregoing chapter, could not, it will be readily understood, be made applicable in the same degree to the British Interned, who, unlike their Allies and enemies, were strangers in a foreign land, ignorant of the languages spoken by the people, and, further, apart in race and habits. There was, moreover, this essential difference: whereas the French and Germans were largely drawn from the industrial classes, and had received a training in civil life, our men, and especially those who first arrived in Switzerland, in May, 1916, were professional soldiers, enlisted young, and therefore unskilled, and without technical equipment. Very few could hope to find work in the factories of Switzerland, and those classified in category 4, as "capable of a full day's work," were to all intents and purposes eliminated in so far as the Swiss field of labour was concerned. Some sort of educational and technical instruction was, therefore, in my opinion (I return to this question later), essential, if these professional soldiers were to be fitted to take their place in civil life, sooner or later, on leaving the Army. Even with regard to the New Army men with technical experience, the language difficulty was a bar to their employment by the Swiss.

As a preliminary measure for immediate practical purposes, shops, such as bootmakers', carpenters', tailors', barbers', etc., were opened at Château d'Oex, but beyond giving employment and remuneration to a limited number of men with some slight experience in these trades, they served no ulterior purpose.

Very shortly after, however, training on a more pronounced scale came prominently into question with the arrival at Mürren of the second contingent from Germany in August, 1916. The officers and men of this contingent were in a better state of health than their comrades who had preceded them at Château d'Oex in May, 1916, and Lieut.-Colonel F. H. Neish, Gordon Highlanders (S.B.O. at Mürren), found himself supported by a capable staff of young officers, keenly anxious to get to work after their long period of inactivity in Germany. Colonel Neish, accordingly, at once turned his attention to the formation of schools, classes, workshops, etc., thus laying the foundation for a scheme of technical training which, with the financial support of the "B.L.R.C.O.," and, at a later period, the "B.R.C.S.," London, received a considerable and satisfactory development.

Elementary classes were started for Telegraphy, Electricity, Shorthand, Typewriting, and Motor Engineering. Bookbinding of a simple nature was taught at both camps in connection with the circulating libraries; and a few men gave their attention to wood-carving, taking advantage of the Swiss Schools of Art in the Bernese Oberland.

As regards the schools, it was soon found necessary to add to the staff of teachers, and army schoolmasters were, at my request, sent out from England to meet the increasing demand.

The most important of the classes, however, were those of motor engineering, opened by Lieut. C. E. Wallis, Loyal North Lancashires, at Mürren, and by Captain Reynolds at Rossinières (Château d'Oex), whence men were subsequently selected to attend a more advanced class established later by Lieut. Wallis at Vevey. Of this I shall have more to say later on.

In the spring of 1917 I was approached by Mrs. Cook Daniels and Miss Martin, who had opened a hand-made carpet factory at Gunten, on the Lake of Thoune, with the object of giving employment to French and Belgian Interned quartered at that place. They had made a success of the enterprise, and offered to give similar employment to forty or fifty disabled British soldiers. This number of men was accordingly gradually drafted to Gunten from Mürren, where they were continuously employed until their repatriation in December, 1918. The Gunten carpets obtained a high reputation in Switzerland, and found a ready sale in the country. The profits were distributed to the men in salaries varying from frs. 3 to 6 per diem, frs. 1·20 being paid for every 1,000 stitches. These ladies also opened at their own expense a Club House and Canteen, which became a social centre for the men of the whole district. Gunten always struck me as one of the happiest and best organized of the Allied communities in the Bernese Oberland, and reflected great credit on the two ladies who stood sponsors for its welfare.

With the above exception of the carpet workshop, all the classes and workshops at the camps were financed by the "B.L.R.C.O.," sums being advanced to the "S.B.Os." for the purpose. At Mürren the management was so successful, that Colonel Neish was able to refund, out of profits, the greater part of the advances made by the "B.L.R.C.O."

During this period of preliminary organization, the number of Interned was constantly increasing, owing to the arrival of fresh contingents, whilst the health of the men who had been in the country some months was showing signs of marked improvement, thus adding to the sum total of those for whom it was desirable to find work. For the reasons already given, any outlet in the factories or workshops in Switzerland being practically barred, the minds of our officers were turned to our own schools and workshops, as offering the most likely and useful field for the absorption of the surplus energies still available, and it was calculated that by developing these so as to provide training for another 350 men, the needs of the Interned would be fairly well met. Further development at the camps was out of the question, as every inch of roof space had already been utilized, and it was determined, therefore, to look elsewhere for the necessary accommodation. A step in this direction was taken by the formation by Lieut. Wallis of the advanced class of motor engineering at Vevey, on the Lake of Geneva.

So far, the financial arrangements involved had been commensurate with the funds at the disposal of the "B.L.R.C.O.," but as the developments contemplated went far beyond the resources of that Organization, it was realized that we should have to look farther afield to meet the increased cost of additional technical training.

In framing any scheme of advanced technical training, some knowledge of the probable demands of the home market for skilled labour under after-war conditions was essential, so that, in order to prevent any haphazard growth of the existing Institutes, I addressed myself in the autumn of 1916 to the War Office, with the request that a qualified official might be sent out as my "Technical Adviser" for educational purposes. The matter was taken in hand, and in February, 1917, a specialist in the person of Dr. Garnett was found. Dr. Garnett was peculiarly well fitted for the part, as he had occupied the positions of Secretary to the Technical Education Board, and Adviser to the London County Council. From 1892 to 1904 he had been responsible for the organization of the Polytechnics, and for the work carried out by the London County Council under the Technical Instruction Act. From 1904 to 1915 he had been closely associated with their work as Educational Adviser, and in that capacity had acquired an intimate knowledge of trade requirements.

Dr. Garnett reached Switzerland in April, 1917, and, accompanied by Major H. R. Charley, Royal Irish Rifles, made a tour of inspection of all British and French Institutes. On the conclusion of this inspection he framed a scheme of instruction based on the following principles:—

1. The preservation and development of the training already initiated in the camps.

2. The erection of additional central schools removed from the disturbing influence of camp life.

3. The utilization of the elementary camp classes for the selection of men to attend the central schools.

4. The appointment of Interned officers to take charge of these schools.

To give effect to these recommendations, he proposed the erection of Central Schools at Brienz, Meiringen, and Seebourg (Lucerne), where the necessary accommodation and motive power could be obtained, and, further, the enlargement of the Motor Engineering School at Vevey. Brienz and Meiringen had the advantage of being in the vicinity of Mürren and Interlaken; Vevey, in that of Château d'Oex; whilst Seebourg, though farther away, had the unique advantage of affording residential and workshop accommodation in one institution—the Polytechnic Châlets.

The subjects suggested for technical study were:—

1. Joinery and Cabinet-making.

2. Electric Wiring and the Care of Domestic Installations.

3. Light Leather Work.

4. Tailoring.

5. Automobile Engineering.

The teaching staff was to be sent out from England, with the exception of that for No. 5. The expenditure for the above-mentioned scheme, inclusive of the cost of new materials, was estimated at about £4,000 per annum.

The report of Dr. Garnett, transmitted by the War Office to the "B.R.C.S.," London, was approved by the latter, who undertook to promote and finance the undertaking. Interest in the question was also taken by the Ministry of Pensions, to whom the training and education of wounded men was naturally of great importance. The practical application of the scheme was placed in the hands of Lord Sandwich and Major R. N. Mitchell, the former representing the "B.R.C.S.," London, the latter the Ministry of Pensions. Prior to the departure from London of these gentlemen to inspect conditions in Switzerland, several British firms, with whom Major Mitchell had been in consultation, offered to send out managers and instructors to take charge of one or other of the classes related to their interests, to provide all the raw material required, to remunerate the men, and, further, to guarantee employment on repatriation to all those men giving proof of efficiency whilst under instruction. This guarantee appeared to me the solution of the whole problem, and honour is due to the brain which first originated the idea. Amongst firms taking part in this venture were: Messrs. Brinsmead and Co., pianoforte makers; Messrs. Worral and Co., Birmingham, leather work; and Mr. D. Davis, fancy leather bag manufacturer. The "Auto-Car" Management, under the inspiration of Lieut. Wallis, also offered to bear the whole cost of the Motor Engineering School at Vevey. The above proposals practically ensured the success of the scheme laid down by Dr. Garnett, and gave it a very attractive form in the eyes of the men, whose future was thereby safeguarded.

On the occasion of the visit of Lord Sandwich and Major Mitchell to Switzerland in August, 1917, they had the advantage of the advice and assistance of Dr. Garnett. The chief problem consisted in finding premises where the whole of the proposed technical training might be centralized. Unfortunately, nothing of the kind was available, and it was accordingly decided, with my approval and that of the Swiss authorities, to establish the Central Schools as proposed by Dr. Garnett, with the exception of Brienz, which was eliminated:—Meiringen, for leather work and tailoring; Seebourg, for pianoforte making and carpentry, electrical work, watch-making, etc.; Vevey, for motor engineering. This would suffice, it was estimated, to exhaust the available number of men seeking training, and, apart from the closure of the elementary motor engineering classes at Mürren and Château d'Oex, leave the Institutes of the regimental type, such as Army Classes, and all the other classes, to continue their work as heretofore at the camps.

On Lord Sandwich's return to London, arrangements were made to give effect to the amended scheme, and, at my request, Major Charley and Lieut. Wallis were nominated by the War Office to take their place on my Staff, the former as Officer in Charge of Technical Training, the latter to resume charge of the Motor Engineering School at Vevey. These officers, further, represented the interests which the "B.R.C.S.," London, had in the scheme.

In September, 1917, the repatriation of some of the British Interned somewhat delayed arrangements, but at last, in October, expert managers and instructors arrived from England, sent by the firms mentioned, and work was seriously begun by November, 1917.

The men displayed considerable aptitude, and achieved a standard of efficiency which should enable them to keep their situations on their return to England. Remuneration was made to each apprentice in proportion to his work, and was sufficient to give him a personal interest in the output.

The Tailoring Class was conducted by a West-end tailor, late Sergt.-Instructor in the Army. The workshop was located in an annexe of the Hôtel Flora, at Meiringen, and was fitted with four machines electrically driven. Attention was mainly directed to the making of uniforms, the raw materials for which were supplied by the Army Clothing Department. The garments, on completion, were taken over by that Department, ordinary rates being paid for the work, the men receiving a proportionate remuneration.

The Advanced School of Motor Engineering, opened at Vevey by Lieut. Wallis in March, 1917, owed its origin to the success of the elementary motor class founded by that officer at Mürren. It was, further, made possible by the splendid generosity of the well-known firms of Peter Cailler, Kohler and Co., Messrs. Nestlé and Co., and other Swiss firms in the Jura, surplus machinery, moreover, being given or lent by Messrs. Picard and Pictet, Geneva, and Messrs. Müller and Co., Lausanne, and others.

The expenses of the School, beyond the money gifts made to Lieut. Wallis for that purpose, were met by the "B.L.R.C.O." and the Central P. of W. Committee, until October, 1917. From that date, the expenses were guaranteed by the management of the "Auto-Car," London, who further provided material and machinery, and whose keen interest in the enterprise was of inestimable value.

The training, which included electrical instruction in connection with motor-car work, was of a thoroughly practical nature, and should be of great value to the men later; as also the Metal Work Class, opened in connection with the Vevey School at Château d'Oex, and instructed by a skilled Interned, Chief Petty Officer Harpe. In this class, various kinds of sheet metal work, welding, and brazing, were taught with great success.

All the Central Schools were well established and in thorough working order when I left Switzerland in May, 1918. Both instructors and men showed great interest in the work, and were ably supervised by Major Charley and Lieut. Wallis—the latter since promoted to Captain—and I had every reason to be satisfied with the results.

In August, 1918, it was decided to close down the Meiringen and Seebourg Centres, and concentrate the classes at Vevey, in the workshops previously occupied by French Interned. These premises were taken over by the "B.R.C.S.," London, with their machines, tools, fittings, etc., and the transfer was made in September and October. These workshops, known as "B.I.T.S." (British Interned Technical School), were closed on November 25, in anticipation of the repatriation of December 6, 1918, when British Interned in Switzerland left the country.

The following figures have lately reached me, giving in detail the final results achieved under the scheme of technical training:—

Average number of men in training from December, 1917, to December, 1918 172

Total number of men trained 443

Average period of training 5·35 months.

Total cost of undertaking 173,534·87 francs.

Average expenditure per man for 443 men 391·72 francs.

The total of frs. 173,534·87 includes the "B.R.C.S.," London, outlay, the "Auto-Car" outlay, and running expenses of the Motor School at Vevey, and the expenses of installation of "B.I.T.S." at Vevey (about frs. 33,000). The average cost of training would have been considerably higher had it not been for the valuable assistance rendered by Swiss firms in the equipment of the workshops. The installation of the "B.I.T.S.," for instance, was comparatively inexpensive, owing to the generosity of Messrs. Nestlé and the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, who put in all the electric light and extra heating free of cost.

The figures given above appear to me somewhat disappointing, as they fall short of our original intention, which was to provide technical instruction for 300 men at a time. That figure was never reached, owing to an impression, held in common by the men, that regular work might militate against their chances of repatriation. Many of them were, therefore, loth to engage themselves for continuous instruction, and though the impression was entirely erroneous, it was none the less difficult of eradication, and rendered the men shy of the schools.

There is no doubt, I believe, that many of the men were, temperamentally, incapable of making the best of their opportunities. This was more especially the case with soldiers of the Regular Army, who were not immediately concerned as to their status in civil life after the war. I cannot avoid the conclusion that the fault lies in no small degree in a system which makes no provision for the technical instruction of the soldier whilst still serving in the ranks, and in this connection an incident of my cadet days at Sandhurst in 1874-75 comes to mind. We cadets were asked to give our views regarding the training of the soldier, and I hazarded the opinion that he should be taught a trade, in order that he might be fitted to take his place in civil life on discharge. This view met with no encouragement, and I was informed that "financial considerations alone would prevent the realization of any such quixotic ideal."

Under the stress of war, the Ministry of Pensions and the "B.R.C.S.," London, have, in initiating a system of training in Switzerland, Holland, and at home, done much to remedy the faults of the past, and have awakened in the public a sense of their obligation towards the man who is ready to give some of the best years of his life to the service of the country. I have little doubt that it will be found necessary in the future to give every soldier a thorough technical training during the years of his military service, in order that he may without delay take his place in the economic life of the country when the term of his military service expires.