First World War internee Johann Orben and others in front of an internment hut, Knockaloe Camp, Isle of Man
Date(s): ?1918
Scope & Content: The identification of Johann Orben as one of the group is based upon the prisoner number 20833 which is marked upon the glass plate. Orben was the author of a letter held in TNA FO 383/115:
Camp 4 Compd 2
Knockaloe, Isle of Man,
March 25th 1916.
To the American Embassy, Austro-Hungarian Division. 18, Belgrave Square, S.W.
Gentlemen,
Born the 16th November 1872 at Pablas, Nagy-Kudillo C., Hungary
I emigrated to the United States in 1911 and was working the last four years at the Hammersmith Paper Co's works at Erie, Pa.
In July 1914 I sailed from New York on board the White Star Liner "Oceanic" with the intention of visiting my friends in Hungary and bringing my family with me to settle down finally in America. Upon my arrival at Southampton however, I was arrested on board ship on the 8th August 1914, even though war was not declared between Austria-Hungary and England until the 12th, I was taken as a prisoner of war to London and thence to the internment camps at Frimley, Shrewsbury, Handforth, Knockaloe, I. O. Man. Since during these twenty months of captivity I was unable to support my family, wife and four small children, the eldest of whom is only thirteen years of age, are left entirely without means at the village of Szasz-Busza, Nagy-Kukullo Co. , Hungary, actually facing starvation.
With regard to this, besides the in main fact that my detention four days before the declaration of war was against the principles of International law, especially as I was already in possession of my final discharge from the Hungarian Army Reserve.
I beg you to intercede at the British home office for my release to Hungary or back to America. If any particular information or reference be wanted, it could be readily obtained from my brother, Mr John Dengel, of 920, E.7th street, Erie, Pa. and my sister and brother-in-law, Mrs and Mr John Burghardt of 1621 61st street, Cleveland, Ohio, both of whom are American citizens.
Trusting to hear soon from you, I beg to remain,
yours respectfully,
(Sd) Johann Orben [Transcript: Manx Notebook]
Language: eng
Extent: overall: 16 cm x 12 cm
Physical description: Black & white glass half-plate negative
Item name: photograph
Collection: Photographic Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: PG/7870/39233