CHAPTER XIII

HOMES —VISITS OF RELATIVES —RECREATIONS AND SPORTS OF THE BRITISH INTERNED

As soon as the first contingent of officers and men were installed at Château d'Oex, there arose the need of some place where the men could meet in their leisure hours instead of finding attraction in the local cafés, and in July, 1916, the Rev. A. Sutherland, in association with a lady interested in the scheme, succeeded in finding suitable quarters where the men might foregather, much to my own and Colonel G. Vansittart's ("S.B.O.") satisfaction. Within a few days, with the assistance of the "World's Alliance of the Y.M.C.A." at Geneva, the "B.L.R.C.O." at Berne, the "Patriotic League" at Lausanne, and private friends, the necessary funds for installation, rent, etc., were provided. In this Home, generally known as the "Foyer," the men were able to write, read newspapers and books, listen to music, join in debates, and smoke. It was, moreover, strictly non-sectarian, and welcomed Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Presbyterians alike to join in the comfort and enjoyment offered. In the long run the very popularity of the Home was its undoing, the accommodation being unequal to the strain put upon it. When, therefore, in October, 1916, Sir Starr Jameson, on behalf of the "B.R.C.S.," London, offered to establish a large hut in the camp, to be staffed by a section of V.A.Ds., I gladly accepted the offer. I afterwards learned that we were indebted for the gift to Mr. (now Sir William) Cresswell Gray, of West Hartlepool.

The "Gray" Hut was built during the winter 1916-17 under the supervision of Mr. Middleton Jameson (brother of Sir Starr), who came out to Switzerland expressly for the purpose, and was opened by Lady Rumbold in January, 1917.

In the opening speech by Lady Rumbold there occurred the following words: "Now that this Red Cross Hut has been built, it will replace the Foyer which has been found too small for the needs of the increasing numbers of British Interned at Château d'Oex. I cannot let this occasion pass without paying a tribute to the initiative of Mr. Sutherland and his friends who inaugurated the Foyer and carried it on for the benefit of the men. Now that the Foyer has ceased to exist as such, Mr. Sutherland is resuming his work at Lausanne. I am convinced that his departure will be greatly regretted by many."

With the closure of the Foyer, and the imminent arrival of Military Chaplains to take up duty at the camps, Mr. Sutherland decided to return to his congregation at Lausanne, carrying with him the warm regard and affection of large numbers of the men.

The "Gray" Hut had a prosperous and useful career; and as canteen, club, and social centre, fulfilled, I would fain believe, the intentions of its generous donor. On the termination of the Internment, in December, 1918, the hut, I understand, was formally presented by the Commandant, Miss Murray, to the "Conseil Communal"—a brass tablet recording the fact that it was handed over by the "B.R.C.S.," London, in accordance with the wishes of the donor. It is to be used by the Swiss for their "Colonie des Vacances."

We were indebted to two English ladies, Miss Annan and Miss Metcalfe, for the establishment of Homes for the men at Rougemont and Rossinières. These ladies provided for the initial outlay, rent, and running expenses, and must have drawn largely on their own financial resources, besides carrying out all executive work connected with the Homes, and, to use an Eastern hyperbole, they both "fathered and mothered" the men. Miss Annan organized basket-making and fancy work classes, which, _pro tem._, gave the men occupation, and put money into their pockets. I cannot lay too much stress on the practical and idealistic nature of the work accomplished by these two ladies and their friends.

At the same time the National Council of the "Y.M.C.A.," realizing that the benefits they could provide would be particularly acceptable to British soldiers arriving from Germany, made proposals to me for the establishment of their work at Mürren, and so it came to pass that, when the second contingent of Interned arrived at that mountain resort, in August, 1916, they were greeted by two representatives of the "Y.M.C.A." National Council, in the persons of Mr. Alfred Brauen and Mr. R. I. Whitwell, who had already secured and opened comfortable quarters in the Hôtel Jungfrau for the use of the men. Here the usual refreshments and pastimes were provided, and made available to all.

These gentlemen now made a tour of the camps, and, at my request, turned their attention to Leysin, where the need of a social centre for the men had made itself greatly felt. As a result of this tour and the recommendations made by Mr. Whitwell, Lord Tavistock very generously offered to build a hut to meet requirements there. The hut was constructed on Mr. Whitwell's designs, and was opened by him in February, 1917. It was well equipped with workshop, billiard table, library, etc., and under the leadership of Mr. J. G. Griffiths, and later of Mr. S. K. Morrison, proved most successful. The influence, disciplinary and moral, of the "Y.M.C.A." work at Leysin was a revelation to me, and was beyond praise.

A lady to whom the British at Leysin owe a debt of gratitude was Mrs. Anderton, of Vevey. All schemes for the welfare of the Interned received her support, but the sick at Leysin were the object of her predilection, and her generosity was unbounded. In recognition of her numerous charities the Holy See conferred on her in April, 1919, the Pontifical Cross, _pro Ecclesia et Pontifice_, which was transmitted to her by Mgr. Maglione, the successor of Mgr. Marchetti at Berne.

Mr. Whitwell subsequently laid plans for work on a more comprehensive scale at Mürren, to give effect to which the National Council of the "Y.M.C.A." erected a splendid hut, the finest of the kind ever seen in Switzerland, and the highest in the world, it being at an altitude of 1,630 metres.

The inauguration ceremony occasioned considerable interest in the Bernese Oberland, and attracted visitors from all parts of the country. Lady Rumbold, in opening the hut, mentioned it as having been erected for the British Interned as a mark of gratitude for their services, and I had the pleasure of thanking the "Y.M.C.A." for their warm-hearted regard for our soldiers.

This "Y.M.C.A." hut, equipped with canteen, cinema, billiard and bagatelle tables, stage, library, "quiet" room, lantern for lectures, etc., was of the most up-to-date kind, and round it revolved the social life of Mürren. An Entertainment Committee was organized, and weekly concerts were held. The theatrical company, composed of officers and men, had a successful career both at Mürren and Interlaken, and drew large houses, in which figured many visitors from Berne and elsewhere. Popular lectures, mock trials, and a General Election, roused great interest; and various classes for fretwork, basket-making, embroidery, and languages, were established. Agriculture was not forgotten, a large piece of land being leased for market gardening. Here scores of men found agreeable occupation, and produce was raised which assisted in supplying the garrison during the winter months.

In January, 1917, Mr. J. W. Hobday was appointed Secretary of the "Y.M.C.A." in Switzerland, and co-operated with Mr. Whitwell, whose place he filled at a later date, when that gentleman returned to England.

When Interlaken was opened as a British Camp, Mr. Hobday installed a canteen, under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. R. Hughes, in one of the best hotels of the place, to which was adjoined a concert hall, with the finest decorated interior within a large radius. Here, as elsewhere in all "Y.M.C.A." centres, the daily arrival of British and Colonial newspapers kept the men in touch with the outside world, and concerts, sing-songs, lectures, tennis, and billiards, gave them plenty of amusement and recreation.

At Meiringen the "Y.M.C.A." acquired the local "Casino," which was admirably adapted for its purpose, and to it Mr. John Mahler, J.P., and the Rev. D. Dowling devoted much of their time and energies. The winter of 1917-18 was very severe, but the "Y.M.C.A." made a point of keeping their quarters well warmed, thus adding to the comfort and health of the men.

By the courtesy of the "Châlet" authorities, and of Mrs. Mitchell of Seebourg, near Lucerne, a large hall was placed at the service of the men, where, likewise, the "Y.M.C.A." opened a "Home" under the experienced leadership of Miss Leckie. Thanks to her sympathetic efforts, and the assistance given by Mr. and Mrs. W. Cecil Stronge, the local clergy, and Mrs. Hauser, of the Schweizerhof Hotel, a fine piece of work was performed here.

Previous to the opening of this hall, Mrs. Hauser (English by birth, and the wife of the proprietor of the Schweizerhof Hotel of Lucerne) had, together with her husband, placed at the disposal of British Interned a room in their hotel, which served all the purposes of a club. This lady also acted as visitor to those in hospital, and supplied them with hospital comforts, both on her own behalf and, later, on that of the "B.L.R.C.O.," whose representative she became. Her generosity and untiring service were of great value.

At Couvet in the Canton of Neuchâtel, our men were indebted to Monsieur Pierre Dubied, a Swiss gentleman, for a fine hall, where the "Y.M.C.A." were installed in the interests of a British working party who were employed in cutting fuel during the summer of 1918. Mme Dubied and her friends gave unstinted help, and endeared themselves to the men.

In connection with the Motor Classes at Vevey, Colonel A. K. Gillespie founded the "Soldiers' Club," which, later on, was amalgamated with the "Y.M.C.A.," who had taken up their quarters in the excellent premises of the Swiss "Y.M.C.A." (Union Chrétienne des Jeunes Gens), on the Boulevard St. Martin, and proved a happy meeting place for social intercourse, concerts, and sports. I may mention that Colonel Gillespie's name has become a household word to the British Interned in Switzerland, owing to his association with the "B.L.R.C.O.," the "Soldiers' Club," and the "Bureau de Secours aux Prisonniers de Guerre."

At Gunten, on the Lake of Thoune, and in connection with the Carpet Workshops, Miss Martin and the late Mrs. Cooke Daniels opened a much appreciated club for the use of the British, French, and Belgian Interned; and Miss Simpkin, of Manor Farm, also established a tea-room at Interlaken, which proved of great service to the men passing to and from Mürren.

I think I have said enough to show how active was the part taken by the "Y.M.C.A." and others in Switzerland, and how beneficent were their labours. The Association appears to me more than well served by its staff, and evidently has the happy faculty of choosing the right man for the right place. Nothing could have been better, for instance, than their choice of Mr. Whitwell and Mr. Hobday,—the former for his large-heartedness, the latter for his administrative and executive abilities.

In anticipation of the arrival of the first contingent of "Ps. of W." in May, 1916, the wives of several of the officers had found their way to Switzerland, and many others followed as soon as they heard of the arrival of their husbands at Château d'Oex. It struck me as eminently desirable that N.C.Os. and men should also, if feasible, have an opportunity of seeing their wives or members of their families, and I accordingly addressed myself to the War Office, in the hope that arrangements in this sense might be made. My hopes were realized later through the kind initiative of Lord Northcliffe, who had seen the camp at Mürren, and much approved of the idea. Thanks to his lively interest in the question, Lord Northcliffe, by means of _The Times_, collected sufficient funds, and caused steps to be taken for providing the necessary machinery for the care of the women whilst in transit and during their visit to Switzerland.

The arrangements in England were entrusted to Mr. Harold Wilkins, on behalf of the "C.P. of W.C.," and after examination of local conditions by Mr. (now Sir Ellis) Hume-Williams, preparations were made for the despatch of parties of sixteen to twenty women under the guardianship of "chaperones," for a fortnight's visit at the camps. The Young Women's Christian Association very kindly cooperated with the "C.P. of W.C." by leasing a house in Bedford Square as a hostel where the women were assembled and lodged before departure. On arrival at the camps, they were taken charge of by an Interned officer, by whom all arrangements regarding finance, accommodation, and catering were made.

The first conducted party of women reached Château d'Oex in September, 1916, and their reception by the Swiss was as thoughtful and considerate as in the case of the men themselves. It was a comfort to hear a wife, when sympathized with for having only a fourteen days' visit, reply: "Yes, but I would have come if only for an hour"; and another: "The bairns think that I have gone to fetch their daddy home. I just let them think it."

The arrival of the first party at Mürren was memorable as symbolizing a return to home life, and the men, one and all, turned out to demonstrate in honour of the event. An excited crowd of soldiers, armed with every conceivable instrument of noise, amongst which figured numberless cattle bells requisitioned from the peasants far and near, met the women at the railway station, and escorted them by the light of torches to their hotels. The visit must have passed like a dream, for Mürren remained _en fête_ during the whole fortnight, and our countrywomen had the time of their lives.

From time to time, and not infrequently, the movement to and from Switzerland was interrupted owing to the exigencies of the military situation in France, but in all not less than 600 wives and mothers were privileged to visit their husbands and sons in Switzerland. I have often been asked by people who evidently bore in mind the cost of the operation, whether the visits were a success. The financial records of the "B.R.C.S.," London, for the year ending October, 1917, show that £12,187 were received from the public as donations to the fund for "relatives' visits." The records for 1918 are not yet published, but I am given to understand that the total expenditure will amount approximately to £15,000, thus averaging £25 per visitor, a reasonable figure when war-time conditions are envisaged.

I think we have only to place ourselves in the position of the Interned to realize what such visits must have been to them. To my mind public sentiment did not err in responding so graciously to the special appeal made by Lord Northcliffe for funds to enable him to deal with this question, and in doing so struck a note which vibrated in sympathy with the hearts and souls of their Interned countrymen in Switzerland. Major Edouard Favre, in his official publication, "L'Internement en Suisse, 1917," gives the Swiss view of these visits. He writes: "We cannot sufficiently insist on the happy influence exercised by the visits of relatives. By this means a living contact with the family, that basis of social life, is re-established."

In the field of sport, the men soon realized that they were in the midst of a sporting community, and football, lawn tennis, boxing, skating, ski-ing, and ice-hockey, were freely indulged in according to the season. Football was especially popular, many matches being played against Swiss and Allied clubs. The former were generally too strong for our men, who were never really fit enough to compete with the best Swiss teams. Boxing also was popular, the Swiss sending some of their best amateurs to take part in the tournaments held at Château d'Oex. The spirit was willing—for our men were ever ready to meet the Swiss—but the flesh was weak, and here again the condition of our men told against them.

As regards ice-hockey, the Canadians showed excellent form, and practically carried everything before them. They appeared to me to be the equal of the best teams the Swiss could put into the field. In the realm of lawn tennis, some of the best players were handicapped by wounds and other disabilities, and therefore unable to make a mark in the championship games. It is of interest to record, however, that one of the members of the British Legation at Berne (not an Interned officer), who played under the name of "Marcel," won the International Swiss Championship for the third year in succession, and in so doing became entitled to a handsome cup, which bore on the shield the names of Wilding, Decugis, and others who had won the championship in previous years.

Some of our Interned gymnasts took part at a Swiss Military Tournament at Neuchâtel, at which officers and men of the Swiss Army and our Allied comrades competed. Our success was practically limited to the bayonet competition, where we beat all comers in the team matches, and took the first and many other prizes for individual fighting. Our Belgian and French Allies distinguished themselves with foil and sabre, and, as some of them had been fencing professors before the war, they held their own with success against the best Swiss exponents of the art.

As regards subjects theatrical and musical, the men at Château d'Oex formed a Variety Company to give concerts, with the laudable ambition of building a châlet as an annexe to the Children's Convalescent Home of the region, as a remembrance of the time spent there by British soldiers. How far they were successful in their purpose I have not heard, but I doubt whether they were able to achieve their full intention. Château d'Oex also boasted an amateur theatrical company, recruited from amongst officers and men. As a side show, they were able to count on a foursome of Scottish dancers, whose services were in great request for charity bazaars at Geneva, Montreux, Bâle, Lausanne, etc. They invariably brought down the house, and made themselves the life and soul of any entertainment at which they assisted. Their kilts, sporrans, etc., and bearing, were a never-ending joy to the spectators.

A small orchestra, with brass and stringed instruments, and which played twice a week, was started by Mr. Sutherland at the Foyer. This formed the nucleus of a band afterwards organized by the "S.B.O."

Mürren developed on similar lines. In one respect, however, it was more fortunate than Château d'Oex in having available a larger proportion of musicians, and was able, therefore, to create a very useful band, which added notably to the amenities of its social life. I remember well the astonishment of Colonel Hauser and his Staff on the occasion of a visit of inspection, when he was entertained by the officers, to find an orchestra of stringed instruments discoursing music during dinner, the procedure followed being identical with that of a Line Regiment at home.

I must not omit to mention that the Mürren foursome of Scottish dancers met with the same success in the Bernese Oberland as that of Château d'Oex in the Cantons of Vaud and Geneva. I recall with special pleasure the furore they created amongst the Bernese public on the occasion of a bazaar for the disposal of the work of the Interned (_vide_ Chapter XIV).

Under the heading of "Pastimes," I may mention the publication by the Interned of a paper called the "B.I.M." (British Interned, Mürren). Major Charley started this paper in June, 1917, in connection with a printing press installed at Mürren, with the financial assistance of the "B.L.R.C.O." The management and editorship was undertaken by Lieut. Hubbs, 4th C.M.R., and later by Lieut. Evans. It concerned itself almost entirely with the doings of the Mürren garrison until January, 1918, when it was converted into a magazine for the Interned in general, and was then printed at Vevey, under the supervision of Captain Button, Oxford L.I. The paper appeared monthly until September, 1918, and bi-monthly up to October 29, 1918—its last issue. Major Charley, writing to me on the subject, states that, compared with the magazine published by French Interned, "it was rather a poor effort." It was, however, of interest to our men, and the effort was not wasted.

Thus were spent the leisure hours of the men in camp life in Switzerland.