Understanding WW2 Internment Through Postal History

‘Who, When, Where, and Why?’

An illustrated Presentation by Alan Morgenroth

Collecting military postal history has always been a popular genre of philately and within this there are niches for post sent to and from Prisoner of War and Internment Camps. The contribution made to the understanding of Second World War refugees, migration and the movement of enemy internees and prisoners of war by collectors of postal history should not be underestimated.

Since collectors are driven by their often-insatiable desire to make their collections more inclusive and complete, they strive to fully understand their subject. Consequently, postal historians have often researched and published on the subject before anybody else, even if they are sometimes preoccupied with the different postal stationery, stamps, postmarks, cachets or censor labels.

This illustrated talk gives an introduction to the interpretation of WW2 internment postal history to help explain and understand the stories of the people behind the letters to help answer the questions of: ‘Who, When, Where, and Why?’

Prospective audience might like to send images of any correspondence (FRONT & BACK of envelopes) prior to the event for possible selection, to illustrate the talk. Please send images here. Please add any background information.

Register in advance for this event

Alan Morgenroth is an independent researcher into the experiences of the German and Austrian refugees interned by the British during 1940. Initially inspired by research into his father’s experiences as an internee, and ‘Dunera Boy’ he has spent many years delving deep into all aspects of the internment saga. Alan, a Chartered Accountant and entrepreneur, has a special interest in the postal and banking systems of the camps and has investigated the banknotes and scrip created by the internees in the camps. His current research involves the postal history of internment on which he has plans to publish in conjunction with his wife, the eminent internment scholar Dr Rachel Pistol.

For those who are interested in becoming members of the Isle of Man Internment Email group, please email Tony Hausner. The group has 58 members and covers not only the Isle of Man but internment throughout the former British Commonwealth. Members come from all over the world, but the majority are from England.