British WWI Soldiers in Château d’Oex: The 1916 Swiss Internment
In 1916, our village of Château d’Oex became home to hundreds of British prisoners of war in one of the most remarkable humanitarian efforts of World War I. This extraordinary chapter saw wounded and invalid soldiers, who had endured harsh conditions in German prison camps, find refuge and healing in the Swiss Alps. St. Peter’s Anglican Church played a vital role in welcoming these men, a legacy we commemorated in 2016 marking the centenary of this significant historical episode.
The 1916 Diplomatic Breakthrough
Arranging the Prisoner Exchange
In May 1916, British and German authorities achieved a significant diplomatic breakthrough that allowed for the exchange of wounded and invalid prisoners through neutral Switzerland. A Swiss medical commission of eight officers travelled to both Germany and Britain to assess prisoners suitable for transfer based on their medical conditions.
The German authorities initially consented to allow 500 British prisoners to be selected and sent to Constance for inspection by a mixed Swiss and German board before transfer to Swiss internment camps. Colonel Picot, the former British Military Attaché at Berne, was appointed as the official delegate representing British prisoners in Switzerland.
Why Château d’Oex Was Chosen
Château d’Oex, a picturesque Swiss mountain village in the Vaud highlands, became the primary location for British internment. The village had been the first to volunteer to receive British prisoners when exchanges began. The predominantly French-Swiss inhabitants, with their strong sympathies for the Allied cause, welcomed the opportunity to host the British soldiers.
Journey to Freedom: From German Camps to Swiss Sanctuary
The First Train
The first train carrying 304 British prisoners, including 32 officers, departed from German territory in late May 1916. The contrast between their treatment in German camps and their reception in Switzerland was immediately apparent. Many soldiers later testified that without regular food parcels sent through British relief organisations, they would not have survived their German imprisonment.
A Hero’s Welcome Across Switzerland
From the moment the trains crossed into Swiss territory, the reception was extraordinary. At every station—Constance, Zurich, Berne, Fribourg, Lausanne, and Montreux—thousands of Swiss citizens gathered to welcome the British soldiers with unprecedented enthusiasm.
At Lausanne, an estimated 10,000 people gathered at 5 a.m. to greet the arriving prisoners. The scene was described as “indescribably moving,” with Swiss citizens showering the train carriages with flowers, chocolates, cigarettes, and gifts. At Montreux, bands played both national anthems, followed by “Tipperary” and the “Marseillaise,” creating an atmosphere of international solidarity.
Life in Swiss Internment: A World Apart
Accommodation and Daily Life
The contrast between German prison camps and Swiss internment could not have been more stark. Prisoners were housed in comfortable hotels and boarding houses, with two men sharing each room. Local hoteliers provided their finest accommodations for the British soldiers.
The daily routine was structured but generous:
- Three meals daily adapted to English tastes
- Morning work for those fit enough
- Afternoons free for recreation within village limits
- Regular Church of England services at St. Peter’s Church
- Sports and outdoor activities encouraged
Officers enjoyed considerable freedom within village boundaries and could receive visits from relatives. Married officers’ wives could join them within Château d’Oex limits.
Medical Care and Recovery
Swiss medical care was exemplary. Many prisoners arrived in poor physical condition after months in German camps. Swiss doctors worked tirelessly to heal wounds that had remained open for years. The combination of proper nutrition, medical care, and psychological freedom contributed to remarkable recoveries.
Perhaps even more important was the psychological healing. Those who had endured harsh treatment found their faith in humanity restored by Swiss kindness. As one soldier told the British Minister, “God bless you, Sir: it’s like dropping right into ‘eaven from ‘ell.”
The Wives’ Visits: Lord Northcliffe’s Campaign
Public Appeal and Response
One of the most touching aspects of this story was Lord Northcliffe’s campaign to bring soldiers’ wives to visit. After visiting the camps, he launched an appeal through The Times, arguing that for just £12 per person, wives could visit their husbands who had “been through the hell of the trenches and the bottomless pit of the German prison camps.”
The public response was overwhelming:
- The Duke of Portland contributed £100
- Sir Robert Younger offered to send fifty wives at his own expense
- Lord Derby made substantial contributions
- Hundreds of individual donations poured in
Emotional Reunions
The arrival of the first party of sixteen wives in July 1916 created scenes of extraordinary emotion. The Swiss population embraced these visits wholeheartedly, with local families offering hospitality. These reunions provided emotional healing as important as medical treatment.
Community Response and St. Peter’s Role
Swiss Hospitality and Church Support
The Swiss response exceeded official government policy. Entire communities mobilised to support the British prisoners:
- Mayors and civic leaders personally welcomed arriving soldiers
- Local choirs practised English songs for performances
- The British chaplain, Rev. E. Dudley Lampen, organised services at St. Peter’s Church
- Families opened their homes for social visits
St. Peter’s Anglican Church became a spiritual home for the internees, providing regular worship services, pastoral care, and a connection to their Anglican faith far from home.
Historical Significance
The Swiss internment established important precedents for humanitarian treatment of prisoners of war and the role of neutral nations. The programme demonstrated that even during total war, civilised standards could be maintained. For many soldiers, the experience was transformative, restoring their faith in humanity after brutal treatment in German camps.
The 2016 Centenary Commemoration
A Weekend of Remembrance
On 29-30 May 2016, Château d’Oex hosted a special commemoration marking 100 years since the first British soldiers arrived. The bilingual event brought together descendants of the original soldiers, local historians, and community members to honour this remarkable humanitarian chapter.
The commemoration began with a service at St. Peter’s Anglican Church led by Revd. Clive Atkinson, followed by academic presentations from Dr. Susan Barton on prisoners of war in Switzerland and Cédric Cotter from Geneva University on the International Committee of the Red Cross’s role in humanitarianism and neutrality.
Official Recognition and Personal Connections
The event featured addresses from His Excellency David Moran, British Ambassador to Switzerland, and Charles-André Ramseier, Mayor of Château d’Oex. Lieutenant Colonel T. Evans represented all the British regiments whose soldiers had been interned in 1916, reading letters of thanks from fifteen regiments to the Swiss nation.
Several descendants attended:
- Susie Kershaw, granddaughter of Captain Cyril Edward Jolliffe M.C., Cheshire Regiment
- Paddy Jackson, son of Major Eric Archer Jackson, Cheshire Regiment
- Frances Byrnes, granddaughter of CSM William Henry Kitson, West Yorkshire Regiment
- Gay O’Reilly, granddaughter of Thomas William Ames, Border Regiment
The Living Legacy
The descendants presented a bouquet of flowers to the Mayor as “an expression of affection for all those who contributed to the healing and peace” of the British soldiers. The event concluded with a public conference at the Grande Salle featuring panel discussions moderated by journalist Edward Girardet, exploring how this story continues to inspire humanitarian values today.
The commemoration reinforced how St. Peter’s Anglican Church remains a living memorial to this remarkable chapter, with the original memorial plaque serving as a daily reminder of when British soldiers found sanctuary, healing, and hope in our Alpine village.
The legacy of the 1916 Swiss internment lives on at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, where a memorial plaque honours the British soldiers who found sanctuary here. Learn more about our church history or visit us to see this historic memorial. Join us for Sunday services where we continue to welcome all who seek sanctuary and peace.