Somes Prisoners

POWs at Featherston Internment Camp - after May 1919

Sources: 'Nominal Roll of (63) German Prisoners of War remaining in internment at Featherston' (undated), 'Prisoners to be released unconditionally' (undated), 'letter Brig.-Gen. G.S. Richardson to O/C, POW Camp, 6/12/1919,' 'Memorandum to O/C, POW Camp, Featherston, 10/12/1919', all originally from National Archives, Wgn, file D 59/83. Also 'letter from Major J.W. Brunt to director of Personal Services, 14/2/1919', 'Letter from Major Brunt to General Officer, Administration, 11/12/1919'.  Copies of all of these were obtained from the personal file AAAB 482 60q 603 Bornhold, A.M.A.

When the decision was made to 'repatriate' (read: 'deport') most of the internees back to their homelands, a number of those men requested a brief parole to get their NZ affairs in order. However, the ones who were entrusted with the right to continue living in NZ after the war, gained no similar right. In February 1919, they prepared a list giving their ages and backgrounds when requesting release for themselves. Information from that list is included below. Those who claimed naturalisation as British subjects in NZ were denaturalised in 1918 under legislation introduced to enable naturalisation to be revoked under such circumstances. However the individuals themselves did not take this lightly and some went to considerable trouble to avoid handing over their naturalisation papers.

Some of the men 'released unconditionally' in December 1919, were already free on parole. Those recorded as released from "Featherston I.C." presumably were not among the paroled men at that time. Their inclusion in the original list simply means they were not liable to be reinterned at some point and were no longer on parole and having to report regularly to the police.

This list is nearly complete

Endletsberger, Theodore Albrecht Carl - Released December 1919 (but perhaps already free on parole) Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them.

Engelbrecht, George E. - (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 30, had been in NZ 10 years, and was unnaturalised) German. December 1919: To be held in internment until deported. 

Fischer, Arthur - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 38, had been in NZ 20 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Fischer, Eugene - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 28, had been in NZ 10 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Focke, Eberhard - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 67, had been in NZ 40 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1893) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them.

Frank, George - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 51, had been in NZ 15 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Frankanburg, A. - (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 54, had been in NZ 22 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Frey,  (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 34, had been in NZ 14 years, and had was unnaturalised)

Garchow, Erich - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 54, had been in NZ 35 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Globke, Bruno Johann - German.  (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 32, had been in NZ 10 years, and was unnaturalised) December 1919: To be held in internment until deported. 

Habenstreit, E.A.J.  - Released December 1919 (but perhaps already free on parole)

Halinen, O - Russian. Advised December 1919 that he will remain interned until he can be sent to Russia

Hansen, Carl Jacob - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 33, had been in NZ 14 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Hansen, P.N. - Released December 1919 (but perhaps already free on parole)

Hauptmann, August - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 49, had been in NZ 11 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1912) Released from Featherston I.C., but remained on parole December 1919. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them.

Heinitz, R. -  (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 63, had been in NZ 32 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Hewald, Charles - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 60, had been in NZ 36 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Hofmeier, Karl (alias Charles Clark) - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 43, had been in NZ 13 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Holder, J.D. - Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Jakabsen, J. - Russian. December 1919: To be advised when recaptured that he will remain interned until he can be sent to Russia.

Jonas, A.A. - (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 55, had been in NZ 39 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1903) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Johnson, Andreas (or D.) - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 46, had been in NZ 23 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Joosten, Heinrich N.C. - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 47, had been in NZ 35 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1893) Released from Featherston I.C., but remained on parole December 1919. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them. 

Joosten, K. -  (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 41, had been in NZ 19 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1907) Released from Featherston I.C., but remained on parole December 1919. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them. 

Kazmierski, Stanislaus - Polish. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 37, had been in NZ 5 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Kienle, Christian (or G.) - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 46, had been in NZ 18 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1912) Released from Featherston I.C., but remained on parole December 1919. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them. 

Kirchner, Adolf R. - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 68, had been in NZ 38 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1897) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Korth, T. - Released December 1919 (but perhaps already free on parole)

Kroner, G.F.W. - (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 38, had been in NZ 25 years, and was a natural born British subject) Released from Featherston I.C., but remained on parole December 1919 

Kronfeld, T. - Released December 1919 (but perhaps already free on parole)

Latteman, Wilhelm - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 45, had been in NZ 8 years, and was unnaturalised) December 1919: To be held in internment until deported. 

Lohkamp, Bernhard - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 28, had been in NZ 17 years, and was unnaturalised) Released from Featherston I.C., but remained on parole December 1919 

Lund, ... -  (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 19, had been in NZ 5 years, and was unnaturalised)

Matzke, Berthold Charles Richard. - German. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them.

Meissner, Theodor - German (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 25, had been in NZ 7 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919...

Menzel, Richard O. - German. Released from Featherston I.C., but remained on parole December 1919 

Middendorf, Anton - German. Released from Featherston I.C., but remained on parole December 1919 

Michler, Gustav W. - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 34, had been in NZ 17 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Mix, Karl - German. Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Mumme, Karl - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 48, had been in NZ 29 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1895) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them.

Muravleff, A. - Russian - Advised December 1919 that he will remain interned until he can be sent to Russia

Necknikowski, Adam J. - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 32, had been in NZ 8 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Nester, P. - Russian. Advised December 1919 that he will remain interned until he can be sent to Russia

Petersen, Nicholas - German (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 36, had been in NZ 12 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1912). December 1919: To be held in internment until deported. 

Pottkaemper, Eduard - German (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 44, had been in NZ 18 years, and was naturalised a NZer in 1907). December 1919: To be held in internment until deported. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them.

Pulse, Fred O.(or C.)J. - German. Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Radloff, Friedrich - German -  (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 56, had been in NZ 7 years, and had been naturalised in Australia) Advised December 1919 that he will remain interned until he can be sent to Australia

Rather, Harry (alias Sandow) - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 39, had been in NZ 24 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Reich, Herman R. - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 53, had been in NZ 18 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Reimann, Edmund - German. Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Rinaldo, J. - Advised December 1919 that he will remain interned until he can be sent to Australia

Rupp, Archie P. - German. Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Schaeffer, Philipp P. - German.  (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 59, had been in NZ 23 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Schammer, P.P.. Released December 1919 (but perhaps already free on parole)

Schilling, Harry (alias Petersen) - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 62, had been in NZ 12 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Schlaich, Friedrich (alias Fred Coleman) (or M.) - German (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 48, had been in NZ 20 years, and had been naturalised a NZer in 1905). December 1919: To be held in internment until deported. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them.

Schloss, Jaques E. - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 57, had been in NZ 29 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released  from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Selter, Hugo - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 49, had been in NZ 9 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Skripezreck, Josef - Polish. Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Stopper, Louis - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 49, had been in NZ 12 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Suhr, Gustav G.N. - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 34, had been in NZ 10 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Tamme, E. - Released December 1919 (but perhaps already free on parole)

Thielemann, Karl H. - German. Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Tinney, Fritz E. - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 41, had been in NZ 12 years, and had been naturaliseda NZer in 1909) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them.

Vlacich, A. - Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Von Hoff, R. - Released December 1919 to go to Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Walters, Frederick W. - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 65, had been in NZ 41 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Wendelborn, Charles (alias Petersen) - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married (?), was aged 62, had been in NZ 39 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Werner, Paul - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 40, had been in NZ 5 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Werner, Tobigan - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 63, had been in NZ 53 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Wichers, Johann - German.  Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Wicht, Hans - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was single, was aged 28, had been in NZ 10 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Winkler, Emil (at Mental Hospital) - German. Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919

Wolf, Wilhelm H.F. - German. Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.

Wolter, Friedrich Franz (at Alexandra Barracks) - German. Released from Featherston I.C., but remained on parole December 1919. Among naturalised POWs who would not return their naturalisation papers after the NZ denaturalised them. 

Zoeller, Hermann - German. (Feb 1919: stated he was married, was aged 43, had been in NZ 26 years, and was unnaturalised) Unconditionally released from Featherston I.C. December 1919, however, recorded on 11/12/1919 as already being on parole at that time.