Interview with Rosemarie and Anita Dalheim about their time as Second World War internees
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Date(s): 4 May 1994
Scope & Content: Track 1: Rosemarie and Anita Dalheim talk about their internment as children in the Isle of Man in the Second World War aged 15 and 12 respectively. They talk about the journey from their home in Hull, where they were apprehended on 27 May 1940 with their mother and baby sister, to their arrival in Douglas on 29 May; the walk to the railway station; disparaging comments by the Manx people; father and brother interned earlier in May; considering themselves English despite speaking German at home; father’s experience of internment in the First World War; reception in St Catherine’s church hall, Port Erin. They describe Sunset View house, Port Erin where they stayed; diversity of the women internees in the house; domestic work; the closure of Sunset View and the move to a cottage in Bradda Glen; the move to Bradda ladies’ hostel; school work; the move to Blair Athol house, Port St Mary; money and shopping; the attitude of the Manx to internees; petty disruptions at Blair Athol house.
Track 2: Rosemaire and Anita recorded walking and driving around Port Erin recalling their internee memories. They talk about various sights in Port Erin and Bradda; the Port Erin Biological Centre; Port Erin school; barbed wire and its layout from Gansey to Bradda Head and their attitude to the barbed wire; their parents attitude to internment; religious services; father’s transfer to the married camp; Port Erin buildings used by internees; Port Erin cinema; curfew. They recall the bombing of Liverpool; seeing convoys and a plane crash. The talk about their release from internment in June 1943 and move to Leeds; brother’s participation in Bersu archaeological digs in the Isle of Man; Bersu family; crafting; the nursing sisters; camp in Germany; Anita’s stay in Port Erin hospital. The recall internees later reactions to internment; obtaining war news and the bombing of Germany and England; refusal of the Jewish refugees to speak German.
Language: English
Extent: 1hr. 14 min. 15 sec.
Item name: cassette tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 0391
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH, #UOSHSecondWorldWar