The British Interned in Switzerland

by Henry Philip Picot

The "Gray" Hut was built during the winter 1916-17 under the supervision of Mr. Middleton Jameson (brother of Sir Starr), who came out to Switzerland expressly for the purpose, and was opened by Lady Rumbold in January, 1917.

In the opening speech by Lady Rumbold there occurred the following words: "Now that this Red Cross Hut has been built, it will replace the Foyer which has been found too small for the needs of the increasing numbers of British Interned at Château d'Oex. I cannot let this occasion pass without paying a tribute to the initiative of Mr. Sutherland and his friends who inaugurated the Foyer and carried it on for the benefit of the men. Now that the Foyer has ceased to exist as such, Mr. Sutherland is resuming his work at Lausanne. I am convinced that his departure will be greatly regretted by many."

With the closure of the Foyer, and the imminent arrival of Military Chaplains to take up duty at the camps, Mr. Sutherland decided to return to his congregation at Lausanne, carrying with him the warm regard and affection of large numbers of the men.

The "Gray" Hut had a prosperous and useful career; and as canteen, club, and social centre, fulfilled, I would fain believe, the intentions of its generous donor. On the termination of the Internment, in December, 1918, the hut, I understand, was formally presented by the Commandant, Miss Murray, to the "Conseil Communal"—a brass tablet recording the fact that it was handed over by the "B.R.C.S.," London, in accordance with the wishes of the donor. It is to be used by the Swiss for their "Colonie des Vacances."

We were indebted to two English ladies, Miss Annan and Miss Metcalfe, for the establishment of Homes for the men at Rougemont and Rossinières. These ladies provided for the initial outlay, rent, and running expenses, and must have drawn largely on their own financial resources, besides carrying out all executive work connected with the Homes, and, to use an Eastern hyperbole, they both "fathered and mothered" the men. Miss Annan organized basket-making and fancy work classes, which, pro tem., gave the men occupation, and put money into their pockets. I cannot lay too much stress on the practical and idealistic nature of the work accomplished by these two ladies and their friends.

At the same time the National Council of the "Y.M.C.A.," realizing that the benefits they could provide would be particularly acceptable to British soldiers arriving from Germany, made proposals to me for the establishment of their work at Mürren, and so it came to pass that, when the second contingent of Interned arrived at that mountain resort, in August, 1916, they were greeted by two representatives of the "Y.M.C.A." National Council, in the persons of Mr. Alfred Brauen and Mr. R. I. Whitwell, who had already secured and opened comfortable quarters in the Hôtel Jungfrau for the use of the men. Here the usual refreshments and pastimes were provided, and made available to all.

These gentlemen now made a tour of the camps, and, at my request, turned their attention to Leysin, where the need of a social centre for the men had made itself greatly felt. As a result of this tour and the recommendations made by Mr. Whitwell, Lord Tavistock very generously offered to build a hut to meet requirements there. The hut was constructed on Mr. Whitwell's designs, and was opened by him in February, 1917. It was well equipped with workshop, billiard table, library, etc., and under the leadership of Mr. J. G. Griffiths, and later of Mr. S. K. Morrison, proved most successful. The influence, disciplinary and moral, of the "Y.M.C.A." work at Leysin was a revelation to me, and was beyond praise.

A lady to whom the British at Leysin owe a debt of gratitude was Mrs. Anderton, of Vevey. All schemes for the welfare of the Interned received her support, but the sick at Leysin were the object of her predilection, and her generosity was unbounded. In recognition of her numerous charities the Holy See conferred on her in April, 1919, the Pontifical Cross, pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, which was transmitted to her by Mgr. Maglione, the successor of Mgr. Marchetti at Berne.

Mr. Whitwell subsequently laid plans for work on a more comprehensive scale at Mürren, to give effect to which the National Council of the "Y.M.C.A." erected a splendid hut, the finest of the kind ever seen in Switzerland, and the highest in the world, it being at an altitude of 1,630 metres.

The inauguration ceremony occasioned considerable interest in the Bernese Oberland, and attracted visitors from all parts of the country. Lady Rumbold, in opening the hut, mentioned it as having been erected for the British Interned as a mark of gratitude for their services, and I had the pleasure of thanking the "Y.M.C.A." for their warm-hearted regard for our soldiers.