_________image_________ The prisoners were most remembered by the community as having a great band! With tuba, french horns, violins, cellos, drums, flutes, clarinets and a piano, they entertained on several occasions, the most memorable being Christmas 1945. Below the prisoners can be seen on a parole walk outside the enclosure. Prisoners The majority of prisoners at Internment Camp 135 were German officers. Some understood and spoke English however an interpreter from HQ staff was available at camp. When the first prisoners arrived in January 1945, winter weather seemed the biggest difficulty. The quarters were extremely cold, initiating frustrating problems with water lines and heaters. However, once the internees were settled in their temporary lifestyle, they began to make the best of it. To pass the long winter hours, the prisoners tried to surround themselves with memories of home. They decorated their mess halls with paintings of German design; a library was begun, books repaired, rebound and recovered; Gramophone records brought to camp by the prisoners were played sometimes bringing tears to the eyes of homesick husbands, fathers, sons and sweethearts. Handicraft materials were supplied to an extent, resulting in various exquisite creations by talented craftsmen. (Some of these are on display at the local Wainwright and District Museum located in the old train station.) When the announcement in May 1945 confirmed hostilities had ceased in Europe, some restrictions were lifted and more activities for the prisoners were allowed. A band was formed and entertained on several occasions in the camp theatre. Parole walks were extended and sports competitions began amongst the prisoners. Outdoor activities increased as the POWs assisted in beautifying the grounds. Cinders were collected and spread on roads, driveways and walks. Gardening, laying sod, planting shrubs and sowing grass seed kept many hands busy throughout the summer. These chores were shared by the army personnel as well. Some of the German tunes the prisoners may have hummed while they worked and walked could have been: “Wir fahren gegen England”, “Bomben auf England”, or “Lili Marlene”. Kitchen duties, quarters clean-up, reparation of personal clothing and boots, and basic personal hygiene were everyday duties for those interned. In the fall of 1945 a clothing depot was iin operation at the camp, run by 75 POW volunteers. Baling and packaging were done at the drill hall, shipments leaving by train on their way to war ravaged Europe. At Christmas 1945, carols and music by the POW band entertained staff and guests. The POW leader expressed his thanks for treatment received in Canada.