Episode details
Available for over a year
On 26 June 1915, more than 50 unnaturalised Germans of military age were held at a police lock-up in Birmingham city centre which is now Steelhouse Lane Police Station. They then left under escort for New Street Station and a concentration camp in Cheshire. Newspaper reports from the time describe them as ‘enemy aliens’. But not all Germans were treated in this way. Up to 30 German monks at Erdington Abbey were allowed to stay at the Abbey throughout the war. Newspaper reports from the time quote an unemotional Englishman who remarked: “It’s about time they went”. Location: Steelhouse Lane Police Station, Birmingham B4 6NW Image: West Midlands Police register
Programme Website