Sefton Internment Camp facts for kids
Sefton Camp was a special place on the Isle of Man during World War II. It was one of the places where people from Italy, Germany, and Finland, who were living in Britain, were asked to stay. This was called internment.
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Sefton Camp: A World War II Story
During World War II, many countries were at war. Because of this, the British government decided that some people living in Britain who were from enemy countries should be held in special camps. This was to make sure they did not pose a risk. Sefton Camp was one of these places.
Where Was Sefton Camp Located?
Sefton Camp was in Douglas, Isle of Man, a town on the island. It was set up in the Sefton Buildings, which were built a long time ago in the 1890s. These buildings were right next to the Gaiety Theatre on the promenade, which is a walkway by the sea.
Sefton Camp was quite small compared to other camps on the Isle of Man. There were ten internment camps on the island during the war, and Sefton Camp had only 307 people staying there. Among them, 42 people were unwell or had health issues.
Life and News at the Camp
People stayed at Sefton Camp from October 1940 until March 1941. Even though they were held there, they created their own newspaper! It was called the Sefton Review. This newspaper was published every two weeks, from November 1940 to February 1941.
The Sefton Review often wrote letters to important politicians and public figures. They hoped these letters would help people understand their situation and offer support. The newspaper also wrote to the Mayor of Coventry, a city in England. Coventry had been badly bombed, and the people at Sefton Camp offered to make toys as gifts for the families affected. They received a kind reply to their offer.
Why Did Sefton Camp Close?
Sefton Camp closed around the beginning of April 1941. This happened because many of the people who had been staying there were released. As more and more people were allowed to leave, the camp was no longer needed.
Any people who were not yet ready for release were moved to other internment camps on the Isle of Man. After the camp closed, the Home Office (a government department) told the Sefton Hotel Company and other people who owned property there that they could have their buildings back on May 4, 1941.
See also
Category: People interned in the Isle of Man during World War II
