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Down / Ervin Bernhart Shartz/Schats German photographer WW1 Drummiller Dromore Down
« on: Friday 11 November 22 20:46 GMT (UK) »
Hi
I have stumbled upon three newspaper articles describing the treatment of this gent who was first arrested for having photographs of English Harbours in his possession . He was passed to the military authorities who seemed to think he was not a spy as he had been in England and Ireland for the past 18 years , and discharged him . However the law would not be denied and he was then rearrested for having photographic equipment in his possession without the necessary permit required of an "alien enemy". For this he got a month in gaol without hard labour. In one article he is Erwin Bernhart Schatz, in another Ervin Bernhart Shartz. When first arrested 20th Aug 1914, a paper gives his name as Ervin Bernhart Shots. The only other info is that his wife was also German.
You would think that over 18 years he would turn up in a census somewhere. but he has proved peculiarly elusive under any combination of names. And what was he doing in rural Down ??
I have stumbled upon three newspaper articles describing the treatment of this gent who was first arrested for having photographs of English Harbours in his possession . He was passed to the military authorities who seemed to think he was not a spy as he had been in England and Ireland for the past 18 years , and discharged him . However the law would not be denied and he was then rearrested for having photographic equipment in his possession without the necessary permit required of an "alien enemy". For this he got a month in gaol without hard labour. In one article he is Erwin Bernhart Schatz, in another Ervin Bernhart Shartz. When first arrested 20th Aug 1914, a paper gives his name as Ervin Bernhart Shots. The only other info is that his wife was also German.
You would think that over 18 years he would turn up in a census somewhere. but he has proved peculiarly elusive under any combination of names. And what was he doing in rural Down ??