Boston, The Docks 1890

Photo ref: 26082

More about this scene

In earlier times, war had only affected the soldiers and sailors directly involved and people who happened to live on or near the battlefield, or the route of the marching army. But in the 20th century the concept of 'total war' meant that everyone could be involved, and this affected Boston as much as elsewhere. The First World War started in August 1914 and, between the 22nd and 26th of that month, the German navy sank 26 British trawlers in the North Sea, ten from Boston and fourteen from Grimsby. Fishermen were taken prisoner and those of neutral nationality were soon released, but the British fishermen were sent to prison camps including 88 from Boston. Later in the war, more Boston fishing boats were Prisoners of War During the First World War (1914-18) Britain and Germany agreed to exchange prisoners of war who were incapable of military service. In December 1917, neutral Dutch ships brought disabled soldiers and civilians to Boston Deeps where they were transferred to tugs that brought them into Boston Dock. The Fish Pontoon on the dock had been made into a reception area with rest rooms, etc, and from there the soldiers were loaded onto hospital trains that took them to London and Nottingham. The prisoners included some Boston fishermen who had been captured in the North Sea; altogether over 5,000 prisoners landed at Boston. German prisoners were taken back in return.