Description
Object description
A modern photograph album, with affixed postcard prints and postcards relating to the imprisonment of Berkley Howard Johnson, 3rd engineering officer of the merchant navy's cargo / passenger vessel the SS AARO, in Brandenburg prisoner of war camp, Germany during the First World War.
Includes: individual portraits of B H Johnson before the First World War and whilst in the camp; group portrait of B H Johnson with crewmates of the SS AARO; group and individual portraits of other prisoners including a corporal of the Argyl and Southerland Highlanders, several merchantmen from the Wilson Line shipping company, officer of RNT KING GEORGE, 3rd Engineering officer SS ESKIMO, a group of black (presumed) French merchant sailors (of unknown ship) with a German guard, Royal Navy ratings and officers, some Belgian prisoners particularly the crew of the SS HAELEN; sports teams including football teams within the camp; views of the interior of the accommodation huts, a Catholic priest in the hospital wing of the camp; the Brandenburg prisoner Fire Service; a partial view of the camp seen from a tall building; images depicting the funeral of Able Seaman John Player Genower who died in a fire at Brandenburg camp in March 1917 (some reports that he was killed by a German guard); An outdoor Russian orthodox church service at the unveiling of the memorial to Russian prisoners and views of the Jewish cemetery at Brandenburg (presumably for Russian prisoners also known to be held at the camp. A postcard from the records and registration department of the British red Cross in Denmark; Commercially available postcards depicting scenes in Scheveningun, Holland, indicating a location which housed prisoners after release in 1918 but before they were sent home. Theatrical entertainment put on at the camp by the prisoners, including scenes depicting 'Judisches theatre' - a Jewish Theater, buildign of a 'theekochen', group of prisoners under the observation of a German officer, examining Red Cross parcels being to be received by prisoners of the camp.
Physical description
A modern 'Kenro' blue and tan leatherette photograph album, with protective plastic cover. Album pages formed of part-sleeves to contain photographs. Affixed postcard prints and postcards, some by adhesive glue some by adhesive corner tabs. Annotations on pages, created by donor, of inscriptions found on rear of postcards.