Captured
Lives peers behind the barbed wire veil that was drawn
around people—both civilian internees and prisoners of war—deemed threats to
Australia’s security during the two world wars.
Civilians from enemy
nations, even if born in Australia, were subjects of suspicion and locked away
in internment camps. Many had been long-term residents of Australia, naturalised
and married, and raising families. They had contributed economically and had
often brought new skills and know-how to the nation. To hold fond memories and
have cultural ties to their country of origin did not override their loyalty to
their adopted country. For them, being interned was bewildering.
Captured
Lives is richly illustrated and includes sketches and
watercolours made by internees that serve as firsthand references of the conditions
and life in the camps. There were photographers, too, who were allowed to keep their
cameras and who documented various camps from an insider’s perspective.
