Library talks about prisoners, ‘aliens’ and Belgian refugees during World War One

Lancashire County Council's community heritage team is helping people to discover how World War One shaped the lives and experiences of the imprisoned, the dispossessed and enemy 'aliens'.

Staff from the county council's community heritage team will hold a couple of interesting talks across the county in October.

Andrew Walmsley, community heritage manager, said: "Over one million Prisoners of War were taken in the first months of the war which caused problems and accusations of brutal treatment on both sides.

"Germans living in the country became categorised as 'enemy aliens' and held captive on the grounds of national security.

Government legislation was even brought in, requiring all foreign visitors to register with their local police station.

"Many Belgians were left homeless and penniless by the outbreak, resulting in several of them leaving their own country and fleeing to Britain.

"We'll look at original documentary evidence, photographs, newspapers, censuses and military records and build a picture of the real impact the war had on them."

The 'Prisoners, Aliens and Belgian Refugees' talks are free to attend but booking is required as places are limited.

The talks will take place as follows:

Friday 9 October, 10am, Ribbleton Library, Preston

Tuesday 27 October, 10am, Tarleton Library, West Lancashire

To book a place call 0300 123 6703 or call in at the library.

For more information, go to www.lancashire.gov.uk/ libraries