Description
Object description
German Jewish civilian in Wiesbaden, Germany, 1933-1934; refugee in London, Chipperfield and King's Langley, GB, 3/1934-5/1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Wiesbaden, Germany, 1907-1933: family background in Wiesbaden; father's military service in First World War; education; religious upbringing; legal studies; question of prejudice against women in legal profession; marriage to lawyer Fritz Hallgarten. Aspects of period as civilian in Wiesbaden, Germany, 1933-1934: Fritz Hallgarten's going into hiding from Sturmabteilung (SA) during Jewish boycott, 4/1933; Sturmabteilung (SA) revenge on family members, 4/1933; husband's dismissal from legal profession, 6/6/1933; visit to London, GB, 1933; husband decision to remain in GB; return to Germany. Recollections of period as refugee in London, GB, 3/1934-9/1939: difficulties for women to emigrate to and conditions for permanent residence in GB; emigration to GB, 3/1934; accommodation in London; husband's employment in wine trade; story of arrest of brother-in-law and emigration to GB; visit to sick mother in Germany, 1935.
REEL 2 Continues: story of encounter with Sturmabteilung (SA) on train journey; question of lack of understanding by British people about situation in Germany; reading English books; degree of contact with Jewish community in London; income and expenditure; children's education; birth of second child, 1937; question of speaking German in home; parent's emigration to GB, 1939; emigration of brother to GB and subsequent military career, 1939. Aspects of period as refugee in Chipperfield, GB, 8/1939-10/1939: reasons for moving to village, 8/1939; story of man dying of stroke in her home on hearing of outbreak of Second World War, 3/9/1939; appearing before tribunal in Watford. Recollections of period as refugee in King's Langley, GB, 10/1939-5/1945: move to King's Langley; relations with neighbours.
REEL 3 Continues: story of husband's arrest and internment, 6/1940; coping with food and fuel rationing; parent's move into house; story of securing husband's release from Hutchinson Internment Camp, Douglas, Isle of Man; communication with husband during internment; move of parents to Harrogate and arrival in-laws; effect of war on children; husband's return to employment in wine trade; effect of internment on husband; work in Women's Voluntary Service canteen; rationing; reaction of local inhabitants to evacuees from London; husband's service with Home Guard; reasons for not having American serviceman billeted in family home.
REEL 4 Continues: Reflections on period as refugee in GB, 1934-1946: sense of good fortune of coming to GB; problem of starting family in Germany during 1930s; how having children disrupted her career plans; attitude to status as refugee; contrast between lifestyles in GB and Germany, 1930s; sense of being a refugee; question of national identity; children's education and careers; children's early anti-German feelings; husband's restarting of legal career; attitude towards being a refugee; opinion of British attitudes towards refugees; post-war visits to West Germany.
