Belgian Refugee removed into custody.

This article appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette on 30th August 1916. Belgian Refugees were allocated where possible to costal towns after their arrival in England, with many still staying in London. It can be read from this article that if Refugees caused undue problems where they were placed, they could be ‘sent’ to London (Earl’s Court in this case), where they would stay.

It may seem a bit harsh reading this from the 21st Century that 90 years ago, the poor man was expelled back to London for getting drunk twice, but there it is!


"Undesirable Belgian

At the Eastbourne Police Court yesterday (Tuesday) before Colonel Alexander Bowes Mein and Alderman H.W. Keay, a Belgian named Alphons Edmund Weeze, of the Refugee Camp, Earls Court, was charged with being in Eastbourne (a prohibited area) without the permission of the chief constable.

Police-constable Cooper, of the Registration Department, gave evidence to the effect that the man called at the Town Hall to see the Chief Constable whereupon he was taken into custody.

The Chief Constable stated that Weeze had previously lived in Eastbourne, but on two occasions was convicted of drunkenness, as the result of which he was expelled from the area as being undesirable. Recently the man wrote to him to ask forgiveness for his past misdeeds and to prevail if possible upon him (the Chief Constable) to allow him to remain in Eastbourne.

Defendant was fined £1, and failing to pay, was removed into custody."