Maltese staff at First World War prisoner of war camps

Malta served as a detention station for internees and prisoners of war during both World Wars. During the First World War, men from different nationalities were detained in several locations across Malta, mainly in the Cottonera Area at Verdala Barracks, Salvatore Fort and Polverista Barracks until March 1920.

By the middle of 1916, there were no less than 1,670 prisoners of war from Austria, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece. The officers and men of the King’s Own Malta Regiment of Militia guarded these prisoners of war.

Not much information is available on the Maltese sol- diers at these camps and, according to Professor Giovanni Bonello who contributed extensively to the book entitled The Salter Album – Encounters in Malta’s Prisoner of War Camps 1914-1920 (2014), in the early stages of the war, guard duties were assigned to the Maltese, under the command of Captain William Raphael Gatt. There are a few memoirs of prisoners of war available and those that exist describe the guards as highly corrupt and anxious to be bribed, but not particularly harsh or cruel.

Lesser still is known about the Maltese civilian staff at these camps and it was only by mere coincidence that the name of a certain John Caruana was noticed recently on one of the prelims pages of a book entitled, ‘Neid’ by Ernst von Wildenbruch and printed in 1908 by D.C. Health & Co. This book was a textbook used in German schools at the time. The writing in ink reads: ‘John Caruana, Canteen, St Clement, Verdala Barracks, 20 January 1920’.

It would seem at first glance that this book was owned by a German prisoner of war who was perhaps studying the English language during his captivity and before leaving Malta presented the book to John Caruana as a token of appreciation and friendship. The date (January 1920) is significant as it was in March 1920 that the last prisoners of war were released and left the island to be repatriated in their respective countries of origin.

It would be indeed interesting if someone (perhaps a relative of Mr Caruana) could kindly shed more light on Mr Caruana’s duties and whether he formed part of the canteen staff or if he was in charge of keeping an eye on the prisoners in the said fortification.

Information on Maltese employment at prisoner of war camps and other secretive venues (such as the war rooms) was kept under strict surveillance by the military authorities due to the sensitive nature of the work. Therefore, it is no wonder that Blue Books in the National Archives at Santu Spiritu hold scant information about such employees.

This adds further to the intrigue, fascination and curiosity in a bid to unravel and learn more about the work contributed by our ancestors in such sensitive zones.

Any contribution and help to learn more about this subject will be greatly appreciated and acknowledged. Information may be sent to: vinceellul49@gmail.com Vincent Ellul