Description
Object description
British civilian schoolchild in Rungsted and Copenhagen, Denmark, 1939-1943; escaped to Sweden 1943 and to GB, 1944
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Rungasted, Denmark, 1926-1939: family; education; reaction of parents towards outbreak of Second World War, 9/1939; journey of father and brothers to GB. Aspects of period as schoolchild in Copenhagen, Denmark, 1939-1943: concerns during Phoney War news of German invasion, 9/4/1940; evacuation of British Legation; visit to Copenhagen; flat taken in Copenhagen; money; fate of British people in Denmark; registration with police; Danish attitude towards Germany and Nazi Party; contact with German troops; rations; clothing; listening to radio; visit to cinema; advice from government and newspapers; role of Danish Royal Family; situation for and contact with Jews in Denmark; reaction to wartime events; contact with American Embassy; communication with father and brothers; memories of Princess Viggo, Countess of Rosenborg; writing letters to British prisoners of war; mother's knitting group.
REEL 2 Continues: memories of mother and Jesuit priest Father Martindale; restrictions on movement; relations with Danish civilians; organisation of Nazi rule; awareness of Danish Resistance; further details of listening to radio; changes to Nazi rule in 1943. Aspects of escape from Denmark to Sweden, 1943: organisation of escape to Sweden; journey to Nakkehoved; night spent in area; nature of voyage to Hoganas; arrival on coast at Hoganas; further details of voyage; Danish attitude towards Sweden; arrest on arrival at Hoganas. Aspects of period as civilian in Sweden, 1943-1944 short stay in prison; aid recieved from British officials and Swedish civilians in Helsingborg and Stockholm; accommodation.
REEL 3 Continues: civilian employment; weather and clothing; meals made for fellow refugees; recreational activities and relations with Swedish civilians; publication of story in Daily Mail; friendship with escaped British prisoner of war; contact with Jewish and Dutch refugees; plans for journey to GB; Swedish attitude towards war; activities of mother; story of warning received from German girl. Aspects of period as civilian in GB, 1944-1945: journey to Amersham; impressions of GB and preference for life in Europe; reunion with brothers; mother's post-war life; desires for future; air raids in Copenhagen, Denmark; knowledge of concentration camps; reaction to news of Holocaust; escape of Jews from Denmark; change in Danish Jewish friends after 1943; support given by Danish and Swedish civilians to Jews; help obtained from Red Cross.
