Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Camp Magazine, First Royal Naval Brigade interned at Groningen, Holland, Nos. 1-21, April 1915-December 1916, each 20pp, original card covers, bound as one, blue cloth and gilt, on the spine, “H.M.S. Timbertown”, the magazines printed by H. N. Werkman, Groningen and priced 10 cents each,very good condition, scarce £60-80

The Royal Naval Division had been called to defend Antwerp in August 1914. In early October, their position becoming untenable, British units were ordered to withdraw; however, the Hawke, Benbow and Collingwood Battalions of the First Brigade received the order late and as a consequence were forced to take refuge in neutral Holland in order to prevent unnecessary casualties or capture by the enemy. About 1,600 men were interned under International law and housed in barracks in Groningen, suitably named H.M.S. Timbertown. The Camp Magazine recounts the large number of activities introduced to prevent boredom. The internees received the right to ‘go on leave’ to the centre of Groningen, and later to go home to England for four weeks (often prolonged to eight weeks). On 15 November 1918, 900 men departed the camp for England, where there were already 300 men officially ‘on leave’. The British working outside the camp were to leave later. Commodore Henderson and 50 of his men remained to settle camp business and “The English Camp” was officially terminated on 1 January 1919.