Cornwall In The First World War

Here's an image from August 1914, the month Britain declared war on Germany.

With deeply unlucky timing, just as war came two German liners sailing for America put in at Falmouth. The Hamburg America vessel Prince Adalbert (Captain Schonfeldt) arrived on 4 August, closely followed by Kronprinzessin Cecilie. Their crews and several hundred passengers classed as aliens were transferred to Custom House Quay by the tug Victor and detained, some in stinking quayside fish-houses.

Both vessels were seized; the aliens, harmless and by no means all Germans (some were Americans), were temporarily moved to workhouses at Falmouth, Helston, Madron, Redruth, St Columb Major and Truro. Later, most were permanently interned east of the Tamar.

In the image, a line of aliens have been marched up Redruth’s West End hill, escorted by policemen. They're on their way to detention at Barncoose workhouse. Local children join in the procession.

My new book, 'Cornwall In The First World War', is published by Truran. With 112 pages and 100 images, you'll find it in bookshops across the Duchy. It's also available through Amazon: http://amzn.to/19JbtZm