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On the 18th June 1917 The Swiss Legation visited the Prisoner of War Camp at Harperley in County Durham, on behalf of the Red Cross. The inspectors were Dr F Schwyzer and Dr A L Vicher.
Their report stated that there were 230 German Military prisoners at work in this camp
The camp measures 100 yards by 90 Yards and includes 8 dormitory buildings, each measuiring 60 feet by 18 with 28 bed in each. The huts have wooden floors, asbestos lined walls and felt roofs covered with tar. The huts were heated by stoves and have three hanging lamps. Each man has been issued with four blankets.
There is a dinning/ recreation hall which accomodates 180 men, three cells, an abultion block with 12 showers. Water is taken from a reservior supplied by a small stream and sewerage is held in a septic tank with a filter bed, garbage is incinerated. There is a kitchen with two ovens and a meat and provisions store. Bread is supplied by the Army Service Corps and all prisoners receive the additional workers ration.
There is an infirmary hut with 2 hospital beds. Dr Garbutt of Wolsingham visits the camp twice a week and one of the prisoners of war is a professional dentist.
The prisoners are employed by the governmnet in ganister stone quarrying, foremen being paid 2d and hour, skilled labourers 1d and unskiled labourers half a penny. They work 48 hours per week. Some men work in the camp, Tailor and Shoemaker, 1d per hour: Clerk, three quarters of a penny per hour and cook 1d per hour.
There is a recreation ground attached to the camp and vegitabel and flower gardens have been laid out. There is a library of 150 volumes, the prisoners have organised a string orchestra and some wood carving is undertaken. Religious services are held on Sundays and festival days. Letters and parcels from Germany take 7 to 8 weeks to arrive.
There were no complaints about the camp, save for requests for more food, pay and a better mail service. The men appreciate the Commandant and respect Feldwell Knesche, who shows much tact in dealing with the men.
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