Martin Kramer, POW, Holdsworthy

Depicts a drawing of Martin Kramer from Gotha, Saxony, Germany who was a POW between 1914-1919. He was held a total of 5 1/2 years at Holdsworthy in New South Wales, Australia. The portrait of Kramer, wearing a hat and a folded scarf about his neck was drawn by fellow prisoner 'Ritz' in 1916. During the First World War, for security reasons, the Australian government pursued a comprehensive internment policy against 'enemy aliens' living in Australia. Under the 'War Precautions Act 1914' nearly 7,000 people of German and Austrian descent wwere interned in camps in Australia. War time paranoia was most strongly directed at non-British, particulary Germans. The internmnet camp at Holsworthy consisted of a collection of tents and huts complete with theatres, restuarants, cafes and small businesses. Living conditions at Holsworthy were overcrowded and sanitary facilities were basic. Of all the camps, Holsworthy was the harshest and resembled a prison. A strict regime of control was enforced by camp authorities. The camp remained open until the last internees were repatriated in 1920. During the Second World War, as it had been during the First World War, Holsworthy was again used as an internment camp.