Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - George Wehrley - Photographer . . .

David Millichope's fine book, 'Halifax in the Great War' [825] is a comprehensive study of life in a town which has been our home since the early 1980's, and which sums up the attitude to 'Enemy Aliens' and undoubtedly is the stimulus for George to amend his surname.

'Britain in 1914 was not a good place to live if you were German, were of German descent or even if you sounded vaguely German. Before August 1914, Britain had been a relatively open and liberal place to live. Almost overnight, following the declaration of war, it became increasingly xenophobic. [bear in mind that Halifax is an inland town and not one used to welcoming shoals of alien sea-going visitors!].

The Aliens Registration Act of 1914 was rushed through parliament at the beginning of the war and required all 'enemy aliens' over 16 to register with the police.  The Aliens Registration Act gave the home secretary the power to order the deportation of enemy aliens if it was deemed 'conducive to the public good' .  .  .  .  Some were British citizens, but some were not. Some were simply descendants of enemy aliens. Their presence clearly caused some discomfort amongst the native British population.'