Diary of Annie's War Read online

  In memory of the 16.5 million lives lost in the Great War - including 5.7 million Allied soldiers and four million troops with the Central Powers - it is estimated that 6.8 million civilians of all countries died. The figures are frightening, but the horror of modern warfare was even more terrifying for those caught up in the conflict that ran from 1914-1918.

  Wilfred Owen 1893-1918.

  Dulce et Decorum est pro patria mori (it is sweet and right to die for your country – sadly the Great War’s greatest poet did just that on November 4th 1918 seven days before the end of the conflict - his mother got the tragic news on Armistice Day):

  My friend, you would not tell with such high zest

  To children ardent for some desperate glory,

  The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est

  Pro patria mori.

  GREAT Aunt Annie’s diary must have lain in the back of various cupboards for nearly a hundred years.

  In 1940 the diary was rescued by her niece Jean Vlotman. On Aunt Jean’s death the diary was given to me. In its new home it gathered more dust until it was ‘rediscovered’ and fondly transcribed. Together with the diary was a small photograph album containing a few aged pictures - the only other remaining record of Annie and Arthur’s time in Germany.

  There are many diaries from WW1 telling of the horrific times in the trenches but Annie Dröege’s diary describes the lives of the civilian German people living in and around the garrison town of Hildesheim and beyond during the Great War.

  Annie Dröege tells of her time as the wife of a Ruhleben internee and of being a lone Englishwoman living in the land of her country’s enemy.

  I have reproduced Annie’s handwritten account of her time in Germany to the best of my ability. I believe with the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War approaching that it deserves a wider audience.

  The diary is a well documented reflection of the social history and lives of the families in a German garrison town during the First World War. And I believe her work is of extra interest having been penned by an Englishwoman under virtual house arrest at times.

  Mark Drummond Rigg.

  Annie (Drummond) Dröege

  ANNIE was born in the busy market town of Stockport on July 25th, 1874. She was the eldest of her parents Anne and John Drummond’s nine children. On the early death of her mother she was left with the responsibility of looking after her seven remaining brothers and sisters, aged from five to twenty, and her father.

  The family was reasonably well-to-do as John worked for his mother another Annie – known as ‘The Duchess of Lever Street’ - at her millinery business in Manchester. Annie’s grandmother exported smocks, hats, and bonnets to Germany using the local Commission Agents Dröege & Co.

  Through her grandmother’s business Annie first met the love of her life Arthur - the younger son of German Leopold Dröege and his English wife Elizabeth. Arthur Dröege was a British national and had been educated in England. Arthur was a leading light in the family business and befitting his position he spoke six languages fluently.

  After meeting in their youth a romance blossomed and after a serious courtship Annie and Arthur wed on the 30th June 1900 at St Philip and St James’ Church in Shaw Heath, Stockport, Cheshire.

  In the March of 1902 their daughter Annie Josephine was born. Sadly, baby Annie Josephine died in December 1903 and then to add more heartache their son Leopold died shortly after his birth.

  Arthur’s father Leopold died in March 1908 and the following year Arthur’s older brother Marcus died at the age of 29. This bereavement was quickly followed by another back in Germany of Arthur’s uncle, a friend of Kaiser Wilhelm II, who died without issue.

  Following his father’s death Arthur changed careers and became a foreign correspondent working from his home in Stockport for the German press.

  And after his uncle’s demise, as the oldest living male relative, Arthur inherited his relative’s possessions. These included a manor and vast estate in the village of Woltershausen, Lower Saxony, where the lands were let to tenant farmers. He was also heir to a house in Hildesheim, a villa by the Rhine in Königswinter and a house by the health springs in Bad Salzdetfurth.

  On their arrival in Woltershausen Arthur was welcomed as the new owner and the inheritance appeared to be a fantastic opportunity. Annie was surprised and disappointed to find that the German domestic staff, though naturally polite, only regarded her as ‘the Frau of Herr Dröege’.

  Annie worked on her strengths and as ‘the Frau of Herr Dröege’ found that she could be a valuable mediator between the tenant farmers, their wives and her husband.

  All was settled and uneventful until the outbreak of war in the summer of 1914.

  In early November of that year Arthur was taken to Ruhleben as a German prisoner-of-war. This came about after England had refused to release prisoners of German nationality. The reason given for his imprisonment was that Arthur had an English mother. Annie, whilst expecting imprisonment, was ordered to report to the police twice daily. She was left alone to look after Arthur’s affairs.

  Now known as ‘The Outlander’ Annie was shunned by many old friends and others who knew she was English.

  Many times she did have the option of returning to England but said repeatedly: ‘When we leave, we leave together’.

  This is her story, in her own words.

  Hildesheim. November 25th – 1914

  It was a suggestion of Belle van der Busch that we should take notes of these anxious days. I, especially, having plenty of time.

  Though it is now sixteen weeks since the war began I think the most important events to me will easily come back to memory. So, as near as possible, I will give the dates of the events which concerned me much, for we had several very anxious days and nights.

  A.D.

  ANNIE’S WAR

  The diary of Annie Dröege.

  Germany WW1.

  Sunday 26th July 1914.

  Emily Durselen came to visit us - bringing with her, from England, Winnie Crocker and also Marjorie Henson. The two children were to stay six weeks and return in time for school on September 12th. James Walmsley, from Blackpool, had been with us a short time and we were a merry party for a few days.

  The first we heard of the war, to take it seriously, was a letter to Emily D. from her sister, Frau Graeinghoff, of Königswinter, in which she regretted Emily and the children had come. We laughed very much at the idea because they had only been with us four days. The letter came on the Thursday morning and when the newspaper came in the afternoon Arthur thought it probable that Russia and Germany might go to war. But we were so merry we forgot all about it in a few minutes.

  Friday 31st July.

  Arthur, James and I went into Hildesheim. There we heard that all preparations were in hand and everyone was talking of the war. To fight Serbia and Russia meant nothing to them. So they said. If only England would keep out of it. They said they could not trust her, she was so sly.

  When we got to Harbarnsen in the evening we met some of the men of our village already going away. Still James and Arthur had no fear for they were sure England would not join. They did not see how it could affect us.

  Sunday 2nd August 1914.

  When we were at church at Lamspringe we found the reserves had been called up, officers especially, at a few hours notice. We were left without a medical doctor and a vet surgeon. Dr. Foss was a marine officer and Dr. Kort was a field officer. It was something serious for us for they had to attend to seven or eight villages. They had to go quickly. What surprised me even then was that England was blamed for it all.

  After church Arthur and James decided to go to Hildesheim and enquire if it was possible for James to leave. The trains were
all being used for the transport of soldiers and we were afraid he would have difficulty in getting direct to Hamburg. They could get no definite news so Arthur telephoned from Hildesheim to the shipping office and heard that a boat would sail on Tuesday 4th August. It was decided to try for that. I posted three letters on this date to England.

  Monday 3rd August.

  James, Arthur and I were in Hildesheim. I shall never forget it. I saw there the crowds of young men called up to military duty. We could scarcely get any news of the trains. None of the officials knew anything. All trains being held up for transport of horses and men. At last we heard that a train was likely to go sometime after dinner and I left Arthur and James at the hotel about half past two. I went to do a little shopping and they were to go to the station.

  I was very doubtful of James getting away for already the people were saying strange things about England. Arthur was doubtful also but said it was James’ wish to try his luck. I called on Belle v.d. Busch and she told me that her husband’s mother died on the 28th July and was buried on the 30th. Her eldest son, who is an officer, could not remain for the funeral being called away to the front the same morning.

  The organisation of the German army is perfect. The vet from Lamspringe wrote that, although called up in a few hours notice, every man’s outfit and every horse’s harness was quite complete. Each man was fitted up in a few minutes and every buckle in its place on the harness. The shoemaker from our village said he was at once put to his trade in the barracks. They turned out three thousand pairs of shoes a day. The butcher also was called and he was kept busy at his trade. The supply of men was wonderful. Each train that came in was crowded with men. There was a man on each platform who directed them to their respective barracks and one saw no confusion at all.

  After the regular army had gone away (many thousands) there came the ‘free willing’ which consisted of men over thirty years old and men under twenty years old. Those under twenty had to drill and these over thirty only needed a couple of weeks and then they were ready. So many came that they could not accept them all and many thousands were told to present themselves again in a month.

  When we returned home on the Monday evening after seeing James on his journey to Hamburg we found a notice saying that Arthur must take the horse, ‘Moor’, to Alfeld on the Thursday August 6th. We had already had warning that he must be in readiness the Saturday before.

  Tuesday 4th August.

  The day found us very anxiously awaiting the reply from England. At noon we got a card from James saying that he got to Hamburg all right and hoped to sail on Tuesday. He told us that the ship that sailed on the Saturday had been turned back. When Arthur heard that he said James would not sail until England had answered Germany. If the answer was unfavourable the ship would not sail at all. We were very miserable that night for the uncertainty was dreadful and the people were saying awful things about England.

  Wednesday 5th August.

  We drove to Lamspringe, Arthur and I alone, for there was a special Mass at six o’clock in the morning for the soldiers at the front. As we drove through the villages of Graste and Netze I remarked to Arthur the unwillingness of the men to open the barriers which were across the roads at the entrance to every village. These barriers had been put up the first day of the war and at each was a man, sometimes two men, with a loaded gun. Their duty was to examine every strange cart or person who came along. If they knew you they often had the barrier open as you got to them. This morning however they made us pull up the horse and then slowly undid the barrier.

  Going into Lamspringe there were quite a lot of men and they let us wait a few seconds before they let us pass. Arthur thanked them but they made no reply. I felt nervous for we had to go the same way back. When I looked at Arthur I was surprised to see how pale he had gone. I think we both feared war with England had been declared. But we never mentioned it to each other.

  We left the carriage at the hotel and went into Mass. It upset me very much. Nearly everyone was crying, for so many men had been called up. Wives were crying because their husbands had gone. And the little ones were crying because they saw their mothers cry. I often thought of that morning when I was in church afterwards. So many men who were going away went to communion.

  It was a perfect August day.

  When we got to the hotel after Mass Arthur went to give his instructions over his horse ‘Moor’ and I heard ‘The Bellman’ in the road. After his announcement the people hissed at me and I felt afraid. Just at that moment the wife of the innkeeper came out and said we had better wait a while as there were many horses coming along with recruits from Bad Gandersheim. They were on their way to Hannover for the war and it was better to let them get past for they also had wagons.

  It was very sad to see them. There were one hundred and seventy-eight wagons. Each wagon with two horses in the front and many with two horses fastened behind. They were driven by recruits from the same town and a couple of soldiers on horseback rode up and down by their sides to direct. Several of the drivers were young teachers and you could see that they had never driven before. The others were young farmers. The people were upset at seeing this procession for it meant that the farmers were without horses, wagons and men and it was harvest month. It was to be a very good harvest this year. They knew when the larger towns and villages had been called upon, and then it was their turn. No wonder they felt very angry with us. For some unexplained reason England was blamed for Russia and France going to war. France, they told us, never declared war but at England’s advice commenced to drop bombs on Germany.

  As we drove home we met the same angry crowd at the barriers but not a word was spoken. Afterwards we heard that it was the intention of some of them to stone us as we passed. In fact the report was spread that it had actually happened.

  When we got to the house Emily met us with alarming news. She had packed her boxes and wanted to be off. Mrs. Steinoff had been talking to her in the garden and had told her how very angry people had become on hearing war had been declared with England. We were the only foreigners in that district and of course we were the object of all their spite. They said that if England joined France and Russia they were done. All their threats were for England. Mrs. Steinoff said the people were more angry with me than Herr Dröege. It was because he said he would like to live there all winter, and I had said I never would do so. So it showed all my thoughts were for England etc. etc.

  Emily had been in the kitchen and the cook had told her that she had heard so much of what the people had said in the village. George the coachman had been there and told her what they said. She was afraid of staying at nights and was sure they meant to attack us or set fire to the place. She also said that early that morning she had been getting some apples in the garden near the road and two men passing had made the remark, ‘This house looks fine now, but I don’t think tomorrow will see it so fine looking’.

  She refused to stay all night and went home to sleep. We decided it was perhaps better that the children and Emily went away. So we continued with the packing. But on enquiries after dinner we found it impossible to send them away as all the trains were stopped. In fact we were two weeks and had no trains at all.

  After a long talk together Arthur decided to go and see the man who occupies the position of ‘mayor’ to the village. I went into the kitchen with Emily to write some letters. The children were a little afraid for they had heard of the ‘chat’ in the village.

  Louise, the cook, was very upset when I got into the kitchen and at once implored me to get away. She said she was sure harm was intended for us and if we only knew the talk in the village we should go at once. I did not take much notice of her because she was very much upset on her own account over the war. Her lover and her brother had been called up three days before and I thought a great deal of her crying was because she was in so much trouble. I told her I was not afraid and that I had a very much higher opinion of the German people than she evidently had. I r
eminded her we had never had any unpleasantness from the villagers. She replied that the war made the men mad for they all knew they must go and fight. She ended by remarking that she did not consider it safe for herself and should not sleep in the house at night. But Johanna Matties, the other servant, said she was not afraid. There the matter ended for the kitchen.

  I went into the garden, meeting on my way the postman with a letter from James Walmsley saying he was still in Hamburg and that he had been on the ship since Monday. It was now Tuesday evening and they were afraid they would not get away.

  As I was reading it Mrs. Steinoff came out and told me a lot of the news she had given Emily. I said I was surprised at it and did not expect it of our people. She said all people are bad in war times and she felt a little afraid. On Steinoff coming along and hearing our talk I noticed she did not express herself as afraid. Steinoff himself laughed at us but said the people were very angry at England who had caused Russia and France to go to war with them (the Germans).

  Half an hour later Arthur came in and I could see he was upset. I went into his room and he told me of a very remarkable thing. He said he was sitting talking to Herr Scharfer (the mayor) when a man came in and Arthur got up to leave the room. The man said: ‘What I have to say you can hear. I will say it to your face’.

  Then he made a statement demanding that our house was searched from top to bottom. He believed we were spies and had bombs concealed. He also said he had heard that Arthur had remarked: ‘If we had any annoyance he would throw a bomb in the village’.

  This remark was supposed to have been made when Arthur had found an apple tree stripped of its fruit. Arthur immediately asked the mayor to come to our place and search. He remarked that the doors had been open to all since early morning and that, as far as we knew, there had been no apple tree robbed of its fruit, nor had there been. It was a tale ready made up. Of course the mayor refused to do what was asked.