Interview with Kenneth Ambrose

1164458839
Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.iwm.org.uk/embed/?id=80021395&media_id=105429" height="430" width="480" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>
1380622333
Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.iwm.org.uk/embed/?id=80021395&media_id=105430" height="430" width="480" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>
1206431656
Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.iwm.org.uk/embed/?id=80021395&media_id=105431" height="430" width="480" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>
1360806416
Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.iwm.org.uk/embed/?id=80021395&media_id=361116" height="430" width="480" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>
127385913
Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.iwm.org.uk/embed/?id=80021395&media_id=361117" height="430" width="480" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>
1000793192
Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.iwm.org.uk/embed/?id=80021395&media_id=361118" height="430" width="480" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>
257547293
Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.iwm.org.uk/embed/?id=80021395&media_id=361119" height="430" width="480" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>
1117661405
Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.iwm.org.uk/embed/?id=80021395&media_id=361120" height="430" width="480" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Description

Object description

German civilian schoolchild in Stettin, Germany, 1933-1936; emigrated to GB, 1936; internee at Lingfield Racecourse Internment Camp in GB, aboard HMT Dunera on voyage from GB to Australia and at Hay Camp, Australia, 1940-1941; aircraftman trained as pilot with Royal Air Force in GB and South Africa, 1943-1944; officer served as technical interpreter with Royal Air Force attached to British Bombing Research Mission and British Bombing Survey in France and German, 1945-1947

Content description

REEL 1 Aspects of period as schoolchild in Stettin, Germany, 1933-1936: family background; lifestyle for Jewish family pre-1933; effects of Nazi Party election victory, 1933; anti-Semitism experienced at school; Nazi Party boycott of Jewish businesses; increasing anti-Semitism in newspapers; Nazi sympathies of headmaster; parents' attitude towards situation in Germany; story of Royal Navy cruiser HMS Leander's visit to Stettin, 1935; taking part in student exchange with English boy, 1935. Recollections of period as refugee in GB, 1936-1940: obtaining place at Kings College, Taunton; status as Jewish refugee. REEL 2 Continues: arrival of other Jewish refugees; financial situation; holiday at Cromer Refugee Camp, Easter, 1936; visits to Stettin, Germany in 1936 and 1937; situation for family in Germany, 1937; father Arthur Abrahamsohn's status as winner of Iron Cross during First World War; rumours of concentration camps; impact of Kristallnacht on family, 9/11/1938-10/11/1938; concern for family in Germany; assistance received from St John's Wood Synagogue, Jewish Refugee Committee and Jewish and Gentile friends; story of how his employer guaranteed his sister Ilse Abrahamsohn move to GB; obtaining guarantors for parents; father Arthur Abrahamsohn's period in concentration camp, 9/11/1938-29/11/1938. REEL 3 Continues: concerns for rest of family; arrival of parents in GB, 1939; financial situation and aid from guarantors; outbreak of war, 9/1939; contacts with other refugees in London; attending Tribunal, 30/9/1939 and classification as class C 'Friendly Enemy Alien'; change in situation for refugees after Dunkirk Evacuation, 5/1940-6/1940; arrest of him and his father Arthur Abrahamsohn. Aspects of period as internee at Lingfield Racecourse Internment Camp in GB, 6/1940-7/1940: treatment by British Army personnel in contrast to police officers; journey to and daily life in Lingfield Racecourse Internment Camp; removal of father Arthur Abrahamsohn to Huyton Internment Camp, then Isle of Man; journey to Liverpool, 7/1940. Recollections of voyage aboard HMT Dunera from GB to Australia, 7/1940-9/1940: living conditions on board; treatment of refugees by guards; sanitation; reaction to seasickness of other passengers; story of ship being hit by torpedo that did not explode; organisation of pass times by refugees. REEL 4 Continues: attitude towards period on board HMT Dunera; attitude towards internment. Recollections of period as internee in Hay Camp, Australia, 1940-1941: arrival in Sydney; arrival at Hay Camp; description of camp and accommodation; relations with fellow internees; relations with Australian guards; work with working parties; leisure activities; story of how Austrian pianist, Peter Stadlen reluctantly played for fellow internees; obtaining news from outside camp; communicating with family; desire to fight the Germans; petitions regarding treatment received aboard HMT Dunera; story of how Eleanor Rathbone campaigned for internees in Parliament. REEL 5 Continues: story of how he was released from Hay Camp, 1941; impressions of Captain Julian Layton; return voyage from Australia to GB. Aspects of period as refugee in GB, 1941-1943: reaction to returning to GB; fire-watching duties; voluntary work for Victor Gollanz's 'Let My People Go' scheme. Recollections of enlistment and training as aircraftman with Royal Air Force in GB and South Africa, 1943-1944: reasons for enlistment in Royal Air Force; recruitment procedure; reaction to changing name from Kurt Abrahamson to Kenneth Ambrose. REEL 6 Continues: pattern of training in GB; posting to South Africa; arrival in South Africa; receiving news of D-Day landings, 6/6/1944; training; failing test to become bomber pilot; return to GB, 1944. Recollections of period as technical interpreter with British Bombing Research Mission and British Bombing Survey in France and Germany, 1945-1947: joining mission in Paris, France, 1945; move to Cologne, Germany; role of British Bombing Research Mission; role as interpreter; move to Hanover, Germany; change of British Bombing Research Mission to British Bombing Survey; translating documents containing information on V2 Rocket; helping to locate Jewish survivors and visiting Displaced Person camps; meeting survivors of Holocaust. REEL 7 Continues: reaction to entering Germany as one of the victors; absence of Nazi Party members; helping Displaced Persons; question of looting; policy of non-fraternisation; further details of helping Displaced Persons; Holocaust victims and survivors in his own family; VE-Day celebrations in Brussels, Belgium, 8/5/1945; demobilisation, 1947. Post-war life and employment: naturalisation; family's experience in GB during Second World War; giving talks to schools about his experiences; consideration of self as British rather than a refugee; studying at London School of Economics and obtaining degree; employment. REEL 8 Continues: helping to set up refugee organisation The Hyphen; involvement with refugee organisations; question of Jewish identity; attitude towards situation in Israel, 2001.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production), Interwar (content), Second World War (content), Second World War (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
Smith, Lyn E (Recorder)
Ambrose, Kenneth (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 2002-03-07
Dimensions: whole: Duration 240, Number Of Items 8
Catalogue number: 22682

Object associations

Our collections information

We have over a million object records online, and we are adding to this all the time. Our records are never finished. Sometimes we discover new information that changes what we know about an object, such as who made it or used it. Sometimes we change how an object is interpreted. We sometimes make mistakes in our spelling, transcription or categorisation, or miss information out of our records.

Read more about our collections and the information we hold. Developing our collections information

If you have concerns about the language in this record, or you have information to improve it, please share your feedback.

Interview with Kenneth Ambrose

Description

Object description

Content description

Object Details

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

Associated places

Associated keywords

Associated themes

Our collections information

Related content

Timeline of 20th and 21st Century Wars

How Europe Went To War In 1939

A Brief History of Drones