A medical history of prisoners of war in Ceylon 1900-1903 / by Allan Perry.

  • Perry, Allan.
Date:
1904
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A medical history of prisoners of war in Ceylon 1900-1903 / by Allan Perry. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/52 (page 6)
    ( '13 ) SUBSIDIARY GAMPS. It soon became apparent that the camp at Dij’atalawa was over-crowded, and, in addition to this, that the foreign ele- ment among the prisoners of war was likely to give trouble ; so in November, 1900, it was decided to establish a second camp for foreigners and troublesome prisoners. This second camp was established at Ragama, a station on the Main Line to Kandy, about nine miles from Colombo, where there were some substantial huts already existing, and it was only necessary to build dining-rooms, a hospital, and the necessary offices and quarters for the military guard (composed of four companies of Infantry) and camp officials. This camp was opened on the 8th January, 1901, and the maximum strength of the prisoners was J60. The hospital accommodation con- sisted of twenty beds with an out-patient department. The sanitary arrangements were all that could be desired, and the health of the prisoners was remarkably good, notwithstand- ing the climate, which was uniformly hot and moist through- out the year. Ragama was as nearly perfect as a standing camp could be. A third camp was established at Mount Lavinia, about seven miles to the south of Colombo, on rising ground overlooking the sea. There was accommodation here for 150 men, who were all convalescents. This camp was managed entirely by the Medical authorities, and there were no guards. The men were on parole. The camp was opened in December, 1900, and closed in January, 1903, and it is a significant fact that during these two years there was no attempt made by any prisoner to escape, nor was there a single instance of misbehaviour, although the temptation to escape was great, being so near Colombo, and the oppor- tunity to misbehave was constantly present from the large influx of passengers of all nationalities who are in the habit of visiting Mount Lavinia during the stay of mail ships in harbour.