Born: Berlin, Germany, 2 July 1899
Profession in country of origin: Lawyer
Arrived in Britain as a refugee from Berlin in 1939
Documents
Male enemy alien - Exemption from internment - Refugee Surname: Blum Forename: Hans Alias: - Date and place of birth: 02/07/1899 in Berlin Nationality: German Police Regn. Cert. No.: 710 809 Home Office ref: C 215 Address: Kitchener camp, Richborough, Sandwich, Kent Normal occupation: Lawyer Present occupation: Name and address of employer: - Decision of tribunal: Exempted "C" & 9A Date 06.10.1939 Whether exempted from Article 6(A): Yes Whether desires to be repatriated: No Tribunal District: Richborough Camp Tribunal 2
Source: National Archives, Home Office: Aliens Department: Internees Index, 1939-1947.
Editor’s note: We are not allowed to reproduce National Archives (UK) images, but we are permitted to reproduce the material from them, as shown above.
Documents submitted with the kind permission of Ben Lachmann for his father-in-law, Hans Blum
Memories
Dr Hans Blum, the father of my late wife, was in Kitchener camp, in charge of leave.
His wife and daughter arrived in the UK just before the war and settled in Sandwich.
Later, he joined the Pioneer Corp and was posted to North Devon, where the family stayed during the war.
After the war, Hans was involved in restitution claims work; he died at the age of 70, following a stroke.
The Royal Pioneer Corps archives sent some interesting information about Hans Blum, as follows:
Hans was the fourth Kitchener man to enlist and served until 30 August 1940.
Before him were:
- 13800000 Heinz Aron – DoB 14 July 1914
- 13800001 Otto Bassell – DoB 16 March 19 13
- 13800002 Kalmann Beutel – DoB 16 December 1903
They all joined up on 16 November 1939