Jewish-Dutch internee David Stad/Stadt was isolated in internment. Fellow Dutchman Johannes Van Zwol, also mentioned here, was a seaman.
23 May 1918
D. Stadt [sic]
The above man was interned at Islington 17.7.15. Transferred to Reading 11.1.16.
On the back of my copy of his internment order appears
Leman[?] St Police Station
23rd July 15
I certify having this day served a true copy of this order on David Stadt
Signed Charles Chapman CID.
Prisoner has always seemed to me to be not very “bright”. At one time there were 7 or 8 Jews here – now he is the only one. I believe in the past he did not have a very good [illegible], though he seldom complained. When he did, I tried to help him. At the present time there are 13 nationalities here & being shut up for so long they are heartily sick of each other. When any few are friendly together it usually means they are plotting mischief.
Stadt keeps to himself, partly from choice and partly from being unpopular as a Jew. Few men speak to him – they appear to ignore him. Generally speaking he is fairly conducted and I recommend him for favourable consideration.
Letters from Holland are irregular. Stadt writes twice a month to his wife but receives very few replies.
My book shows that he received letters on Dec. 16, 1917, Jany 1st 1918, & 23 March 18 the last. I cannot say how often his wife writes.
Other Dutchmen complain of the same thing. Van Zwol received his last letter on 18th March and it is dated 18th Dec 17.
From the contents of letters received it would appear that letters take about 2 months after being written here to reach people in Holland.
Stadt appears in very fair health, his weight on reception here 11-1-16 was 168 lbs, today it is 157 lbs.
Report from MO is attached.
C M Morgan
Gov.
[to] The Commissioners
23rd May 1918
Re David Stadt
I have this day examined the above-named interned prisoner. This is a neurotic man…
I am inclined to regard the various symptoms of which he complains as arising from functional disturbance of the nervous system. He is well nourished, and I do not find any evident signs of loss of flesh in his case.
G O Lambert, MD, pro W T Freeman, MD (Medical Officer)
Reading Prison [Place of Internment] letter book (P/RP1/8/2/1)