Description
Object description
German Jewish schoolchild in Germany, 1933-1939; escaped on Kindertransport to Holland, 1/1939; emigrated to GB, 1940.
Content description
REEL 1: Background in Germany, 1927-1938: childhood in Ruhr area, Hamm, Westphalia and Bielefeld; effect of Nazi regime on family and daily life, 1933-1939; growth of anti-Semitism; description of anti-Jewish violence during Kristallnacht in village near Bielefeld, 11/1938; destruction of uncle's shop; Jews forced to clear up broken glass; story of hiding with Jewish friends after Kristallnacht; story of father and uncle leaving before Kristallnacht; interrogation of mother by SS; story of Hanukah feast, 1938; departure of sister Elspeth on Kindertransport to Holland. 1/1939; departure with brother Oskar on Kindertransport, 1/1939; reaction to separation from parents.
REEL 2 Continues: description of train journey to Holland; story of Rudi Moll hiding on train without passport. Aspects of period in Holland, 1939-1940: living conditions and accommodation; moved to orphanage in Gouda; opinion of treatment; story of letter from parents not being passed on; moved to Burgerweehuis orphanage, Amsterdam; opinion of conditions and treatment; description of arrival of Germans in Amsterdam, 5/1940; story of escape to England with Mrs Weismuller; description of five day voyage to Liverpool aboard the Bodegraven. Aspects of period in GB, 1940-1945: reception on arrival in Liverpool; moved to Wigan; accommodation in community centre; attitude of local people to refugees; opinion of English food; story of visit to see film 'Hunchback of Notre Dame; memory of first meal of fish and chips; language situation; leaving party and given half a crown; moved to Manchester; arrived during air raid; accommodation arranged in hostels by Jewish Refugee Committee.
REEL 3 Continues: living conditions in hostel; opinion of education; left school at 14, 1941; employment as tea-boy in joinery factory; learned engraving; musical activities. Post-war life and employment in GB: marriage; employment; moved to Brighton, 1960s; membership of Brighton and Hove Liberal Synagogue; religious life of family in pre-war Germany; story of losing contact with parents during war; return of sister from Auschwitz camp; naturalisation as British subject; opinion of life in GB; story of Mrs Weismuller being made Righteous Among the Nations at Yad Vashem, Israel; memories of brother Oskar; willingness to discuss experiences with younger generation; opinion of living in GB.