Description
Object description
German Jewish refugee in GB, 1/1939-5/1940; internee in Rushen Internment Camp, Port Erin, Isle of Man, 1940-1941
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Germany, 1923-1939: family; education; awareness of rise of Nazis; story of father Karl Isaelowitz writing to Prime Neville Chamberlain about political situation in Germany; reason for emigrating from Germany with father and rest of family staying behind, 1/1939; journey with father to GB via Belgium and illegal entry at Greenwich, London, GB, 1/1939. Aspects of period as refugee in GB, 1/1939-5/1940: attitude of Bloomsbury House to illegal immigrants; problem of father being unable to identify name of ship on which they arrived to police.
REEL 2 Continues: description of housekeeping duties; reaction to outbreak of Second World War, 3/9/1939; attending Tribunal and attitude to being classed in Category B Enemy Alien; reaction to father's arrest; arrest and journey to the Isle of Man via Liverpool, 5/1940. Aspects of period as internee in Rushen Internment Camp, Port Erin, Isle of Man, 1940-1941: initial impressions of the Isle of Man; accommodation; rota system; question of young people not receiving any special treatment; education; recreational facilities; contact with young male internees; shopping; story of islanders demanding curfew for internees; attitude of islanders towards internees; awareness of progress of war.
REEL 3 Continues: relations between different groups in the camp; attitude to pro-Nazi internees; question of internees sharing common experience; opinion of Communist internees; opinion of treatment by landlords; camp bank and financial situation; monthly visits to father in Onchan Internment Camp; communication with family in Germany; memories of other internees; attending further Tribunals held on the Isle of Man and problem of illegal entry into GB adversely affecting chance of release; release and father's decision to join the Pioneer Corps, 1941; reasons for later joining Auxiliary Territorial Service; attitude towards period of internment.