New book explores story of Sand Dunes War Camp

Saturday 29 December 2018

A former librarian who unwillingly become an expert in the German Prisoner of War Camp located on the Sand Dunes in Jersey during the First World War has published 'Traces of war on the Dunes,' a book telling the stories of prisoners, escapes and military funerals as well as what it was like living on the sand dunes behind barbed wire.

Heather Morton didn't intend to write a book about the War Camp but what was initially mere curiosity about buildings marked on a map, grew into something much bigger.

A former reference librarian, Heather was looking at an ordinance map of the island when she noticed something in the area representing the Sand Dunes, in the area opposite Le Braye. "I saw symbols for building and I thought that doesn't sound right," she explained. "I went to have a look and I noticed there were walls and what looked like ablution blocks, with drainage holes.

"There is no signs in the area, it was more to find without signs. If you climb onto the low dunes and on top of the bunker from the Occupation, you can see them. It's easier to see in the winter when "

Pictured: A drawing of the Prisoners of War Camp.

After doing more research, Heather discovered that those were the remnants of the Prisoner of War Camp built during World War One. Her curiosity picked, she then started digging deeper. Knowing her way around the library, she knew what resources were available there. "I started looking for document, maps, photographs and newspaper reports that mentioned the Camp," Heather explained.

"I found out that it was built between January and March 1915 to keep prisoners of war. There was two possible sites for the Camp in town, in Springfield, which was at the time the Agricultural Showground, and Brighton Road School, which eventually become a military hospital. Grosnez was also considered but the rocky ground and the lack of water supply meant it was eventually the Sand Dunes location that became the best option."

Pictured: The construction of the camp was six months behind schedule.

During her research, Heather found out interesting facts about the building stage, like the fact it was six months behind schedule, leading to prisoners being kept on a prison ships for weeks. She also found out a lot of human interest stories, like that of Lady Lucy Houston. Lady Houston donated £100,000 to Supermarine, an aircraft manufacturer, allowing them to win the Schneider Trophy that year. The company later went on to develop the Spitfire, which was vital during World War Two.

Despite all the information she had garnered over 15 years of research, Heather never had any intention to write a book. "The more I found out about it, the more I researched. It was really just because I was curious. 

"An historian then told me 'You are now the expert on the subject, you have to write it up.' I didn't realise I had an idea for a book until I started drawing it on the page!"

Pictured: Heather designed a very visual book to make it widely accessible.

Heather's idea included lots of photographs, drawings and graphics, to not only give readers all the information possible as well as a visual idea of what the Camp looked like. She hopes that the book will not only interest history enthusiasts as well as young school students. She said: "I wanted it to be really visual so it could be widely accessible."

"Traces of War on the Dunes" is available at WH Smith, the Société Jersiaise, the Museum and Le Braye Café. You can also contact Heather by email to obtain a copy.