The first internee we know of was admitted on 20 May 1915; the last was on 14 March 1916. A summary of these patients and the Superintendent’s Reports follow:

The following facts have been taken out of the Medical Superintendent’s Report: J Carlyle Johnstone, M.D.

During the 1915 report he notes the effects that war has had on the Asylums. Five staff signed up for service at the outbreak of the war and because so many able bodied young men were signing up; it proved difficult to find replacements. Despite this the Asylum continued to run smoothly as all other staff members stepped up. The War Office also requisitioned Bangour Village Asylum and the patients had to be transferred elsewhere – 40 came to Dingleton in Melrose. He writes “The large camp for prisoners of war which has been set up at Stobs will also, it is anticipated, contribute a considerable number of cases of insanity, for whose treatment provision must be made at the District Asylum (five insane prisoners have already been received at the time of writing this Report).”

The following year he noted that about half of the cases admitted suffered from another bodily disease for which treatment was necessary.  Eight prisoners of war from Stobs Camp were admitted and six soldiers who were invalided out of the British Army. Mr. Johnstone held the view that many of the patients would have suffered any unusual strain and it was not a result of the war. When he described the patients’ condition he stated “insanity was ascribed, directly or indirectly, to conditions arising out of the war” p. 41

For 1917 Mr. Johnstone reports that the rate for private patients was £45 a year and suitable accommodation was still available. Two more soldiers were invalided from the Army. He gives his opinion that “under the comparatively quiet and uneventful conditions of peace, might have avoided mental breakdown, may succumb to the physical and mental strain of service in the field.” The male staff at the asylums have been reduced to the minimal possible while adhering to safety and ensuring the adequate care of patients. He states that it is impossible to fill the places left by the attendants.

The statistics for 1918 were as follows: 4 soldiers were admitted. One of these soldiers had been in the Army for a year but became disturbed after serving a short time in France. The other three had broken down during training. There are several regulations laid out in relations to “Service Patients” or soldiers. Those “admitted directly from the Services under section 81 of the Army Act, of section 3 of the Naval Enlistment Act, 1884. “Service Patients” also enjoy all the legal privileges of private patients.” Six soldiers are still being treated.

A total of nine internees were admitted from varied backgrounds. Some were released, others were relieved, and still others transferred back to their home country. There names, occupation, and estimated date of birth are as follows.

Frederick Kraushaar, mechanic, 1865

Morris Simons, shoemaker, 1867

Leonet Wiedenmann, unable to translate, 1869

Johann Kramer, waiter, 1879

Valentine Levandorski, soldier, 1881

Josef Rinnerbaur, clerk, 1889

Wilhelm Ferdinand Hanschild, sailor, 1877

Johann Rutter, unable to translate, 1883