German gone missing after 1914

[Tervid03]

The gentleman in question was born in Germany in the mid 1850s and came over to England about 1873 and married an English lady about 1881, they can both be found on the census returns and he was on the rate book in April 1914 where he resided but then he disappears. His wife turns up again in 1947 aged 89! He (or his wife) doesn't seem to be registered on any ships leaving the UK.

My question is what happened to foreign nationals at the outbreak of the First World War? Were they interred somewhere for their safety and British security? If so, are there any records of where they may have been sent?
Any pointers would be appreciated
Thanks
Terry 

[willow154]

Hi Terry,
I've just found this thread for you, which covers the topic:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=9bac21698a7686cea3246dd90da257a4&topic=112434.0

Hope this helps.
Paulene

[skyblueFF]

Hello

I had a very similar experience with my GGF. Gustav Heise. He was interned in a camp in Lancaster in 1914 and on his release he went back to Germany leaving a wife and 2 daughters in Birkenhead. He also had a brother Ernest but I can find no trace of what happened to him or his family. This is probably no help to you but it may be of interest as the stories are so much the same. I was only able to find this out with the help of Rootschat.
Michael

[willow154]

Hi Michael,
Is it possible that he changed his name, for fear of being put into one of the camps?
Paulene

[jorose]

They will not be found on ships leaving or coming into the UK if they travelled to Europe.
It's possible that he was interred. You might look on the NA for naturalisation - possibly not for him but for his wife (labelled "readmission").

[willow154]

jorose,
I hope you don't mind me asking (learning all the time -  why readmission?
TIA,
Paulene

[skyblueFF]

Hello

When a British woman married a German she then became a German Citizen. So as was the case in my family, Gustav Heise went back to Germany and they eventually got divorced so his ex wife Sarah then had to apply to the Home Office for readmission to British citizenship. I applied to the NA to have their file reopened and it proved to be very interesting.
 See my post further down this board.
Blue]Gustav Paul HEISE My lost Great grandfather

Michael

[willow154]

Hi Michael,
Thank you for taking the time to reply
I will try to find the post - it sounds very interesting.
Many thanks.
Paulene

[Tervid03]

Thanks to all who have offered help with my quest. There looks to be plenty of avenues to explore in the coming weeks. Hopefully I shall find a little more about my mystery person.
Thanks again
Terry