Camp History & Information
Camp Location and Composition
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Internment Camp B/70 (the only Second World War internment camp in the Maritime Provinces), is located about 30 km (19 mi) east of Fredericton in the rural community of Ripples, near Minto. In addition to its remote location making escape difficult, the site was also chosen because of the preexisting unemployment relief camp infrastructure dating back to the depression. This location was also close to the Ripples Train Station, and there was plenty of forest nearby to provide lumber work for the internees.
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Camp B/70, which encompassed 58 acres in 52 buildings, which included a 15 acre fenced in prison compound, had two phases of activity. It was one of 26 such camps across Canada. There were 5 rows of barbwire and 6 machine gun towers.
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Phase I
During the first phase, 711 German and Austrian Jews were interned here. Many were refugees of Nazi Germany oppression who had fled to England. British government not knowing where the loyalty of these Jewish people lay, asked Canada and Australia to house these refugees. After a year, the government of Great Britain realized that many people among the refugees could contribute to the war effort. The internees were given the choice to return to England and join their military, or obtain a sponsor to remain in Canada or the United States. Many contributed to the fields of medicine, the arts and business, some leading to international recognition.
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Dr. Friz Bender (on the left sawing wood) was a Phase I internee who developed the technology to waterproof plywood.
Phase II
The camp was closed for three weeks before phase II began to allow for the preparation of a larger and more diverse group of POW's. During the following four years, the camp held captured German and Italian Merchant Marines along Canadians who may have spoken out against the war effort.
Guards
The guards were mostly veterans of the first world war who had enlisted, but were denied active duty and put on the Veterans Guard of Canada regiment.
Veteran Guard of Canada Photograph
Work
The internees worked mainly in the forest cutting the 2500 cords of wood required each year to keep the 100 wood stoves in the camp burning. The internees, organized into work crews, received 20 cents a day for their labour as wood cutters or helpers in the kitchen, hospital, library, canteen and dormitory huts.
What Happened to the Camp
After the war, the 52 buildings on the site were sold to individuals and businesses in the surrounding towns and villages and moved. A small number of these buildings continue to be used as homes or summer cottages in the Minto and Grand Lake areas.
The base of the water tower is one of the only remaining structures on the camp site.