Willi Reissner – born in Seelow, Germany, 5 December 1919
Occupation in country of origin: skins business
Arrived in Britain as a refugee from Germany, 14 April 1939
Documents
Translations kindly submitted by the family, below
Not to be completed by the applicant!
American General Consulate, Berlin W 9
Bellevuestrasse 8.
Mr – Mrs – Miss: Louis Reissner
Martha Reissner
Willi and Joachim Reissner
With reference to the questionnaire submitted here, containing your request for entry into the United States of America, you are informed that you are on the German waiting list on the date of 3 February 1939 and are registered under the reference number 62214-5-6 -7.
You will be notified in good time when your turn has come.
This document must be stored carefully.
The application number is after the quota number.
Of course, if you have received your number several times, it is good to have only the lowest number.
The Jewish Community of Berlin confirms that Mr Willy Israel Reissner, Resident in Seelow Born on 5.12.1919 in Seelow Has no ordinary contribution obligations to the Jewish community of Berlin. Mr Willy Israel Reissner has an exceptional contribution (emigration tax) In the amount of---------% of the assets of RM. --------- d.i. RM. --------- Not payable. The processing fee for using the Berlin Central Office for Jewish emigration Berlin is --------- and is payable upon submission of applications at the Central Office. JEWISH COMMUNITY OF BERLIN Berlin, March 28, 1939
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Male enemy alien - Exemption from internment - Refugee Surname: REISSNER Forename: Willi Date and place of birth: 05/11/1919 in Seelow Nationality: German Police Regn. Cert. No.: 710676 Home Office ref: C 114 Address: Kitchener camp, Richborough, Sandwich, Kent Normal occupation: Skin dealer Present occupation: Bricklayer in Camp Name and address of employer: - Decision of tribunal: Exempted "C" & 9A Date 09.10.1939 Whether exempted from Article 6(A): Yes Whether desires to be repatriated: No Tribunal District: Richborough Camp Tribunal 1
Source: National Archives, Home Office: Aliens Department: Internees Index, 1939-1947
The information in the record above for Willi Reissner is held at the British National Archives (NA). We are not allowed to post NA records as images, but we are permitted to extract the information from the images, as shown.
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Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
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Translation below
INSURANCE STATEMENT I hereby swear, under importance of eider fed union following insurance at OATH BEFORE: - I was born on 5 December 1919 in Seelow in Brandenburg. My parents, the merchant Louis Reissner and his wife, Martha Reissner, born Rauschmann, were fully Jewish. In Easter 1926, I was enrolled in the elementary school in Seelow, because of my good performance after a year was a class of elementary school űberspringenand dungeonselementary school Easter 1929, and then for one year visit to Easter 1930 at the middle school in Seelow. My parents already wanted me at Easter 1929 already to train the Friedrichs High School in Frankfurt / Oder, Gubener Strasse 13, a humanistic school. I could, however, because overcrowding warden at that time not taken not. For this reason, my parents left me zunȁchstattend middle school in Seelow to Tues time to admission to wait in the school. Easter 1930 I was then added to the Friedrichs-Gymnasium in Frankfurt / Oder. Since I French in middle school in Seelow only, but had not had Latin class, I was in the sixth grade. Due to my very good testimony of middle school I was accepted without entrance examination in the sixth grade. I visited the Friedrichs High School until spring of the 1934 I was in the sub-Daman Tertia. In all these years I went daily by the school train from Seelow to Frankfurt to class and returned back home again. After Hitler came to power, the Verhȁltnis the non-Jewish school had deteriorated continuously to us Jews. When I was in the sub-Tertia, moisten the non-Jewish classmates spoke to me again. Very many of the classmates were in the Hitler Youth and came in uniform to school. From that certainly afternoons find gym class we were excluded Jewish children. My class teacher was set particularly anti-Semitic. I was fully overlooked komen about in the last six months by himself in lessons for grant. I was asked no more of him, and has been preserved by him my class work uncensored back again. If we Jewish children ourselves with a question addressed him so dismissed he runs with the words "Go away, Jew" or "be quiet, Jew." Just before Easter 1934, my parents were in Seelow a letter from the Director of the Friedrich school with the content that I should not come to school. A letter with the same content were also the parents of the other Jewish kids in my class. So was the intention of my parents to let me go to school until graduation and study me then been undone. A brother of my mother, Dr Max Rauschmann, was a doctor in Berlin, and it was the wish of my mother to let me have been to medical school, so I could practice this above-named unmarried uncle. I had the type of treatment in the school not sustain itself much longer. I went to business school and then stayed until I emigrated in April 1939 in my parents' house, where I helped my father in business. Selma House, Flat F Ducane Road London, W12 20 July 1957
All documents submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Letters
Translations by family, below
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Seelow, 25 July 1939 Dear Willi! Your letter of the 21st and the cute little picture has pleased us very much. Martin has been taken much better than you. Uncle Max said the same, that's the happy Jupp. We will give Achim as many things as we can, he won’t have less than you. If it’s just things for work, it no longer matters to you. Ruth is also still there. We still haven’t found anyone for the house, we have even already advertised it. Now that leaves us only as caretakers but we will work to change that in the next few days. Daddy will go to Berlin on Saturday as he still has to buy the suitcase and some odds and ends for Joachim. As Ruth wrote today, Mrs Hirsch is not going until Sunday and will give your daddy the desired Bismarck herring. As Ruth said, Achim will get no more holidays. He will only come for a brief farewell visit. He will soon get his passport, perhaps he already has it and then we hope the time will not be far off. On Sunday, Heinz and Hilde Irmlig and Aunt Julie, Uncle Max and Aunt Adel were all here together. That hasn’t happened for a long time. Uncle Max and Uncle Moritz are not signing up. Philippsborns have had a long letter from George; however, he does not write well, also his wife is very ill, even his boy is in bad health too. On the other hand, Martin Keoicleski has a job at a sports club which he organises and earns enough of a living for both his and his wife’s needs. Otherwise, we are in good health. Warm greetings and kisses from your dear mummy. ------------------------------------------------------------ My dear son! Just as mummy stopped writing, a card came from Uncle Max. He writes of 45 degrees heat that he has to endure. Today, in Seelow it has been raining all day. What things should we give to Joachim which he will need to use very MUCH? Write immediately. Write to us straight away about what you need and maybe I can still give the things to Joachim when he leaves here. Because, from abroad he can then… Warm greetings and kisses from your father. Please find enclosed a validation ticket. Write immediately if you have lost the 1000 tinder, then I can still give it on Saturday. Mrs Hirsch is still coming here on Sunday. Many kind regards to Mr Hirsch and the other friends. Write by return of post, so that I have your card here by Saturday.
My dear Willi and Joachim, Your post took 14 days to arrive; we expected to hear your news much earlier. But if it cannot be otherwise, we must resign ourselves to it. Today here it is wonderful weather. Are you still doing sports and report further about Joachim? What do need, you and Willi? Ottchen was here last Sunday and sends you his regards. Otherwise, there’s not much of interest to write. You’re both are greeted warmly by your father. ________________________________________________________ Dear Boys, Today you received the longed-for letter again. I know how happy you are. Unfortunately, the post now takes a very long time. You must not be worried about it. Friedel also complains about it, although I always send the letters to you and her immediately on the same day. Also, the card you enclosed has already been sent back. Recently, I received a letter from a woman from Weissenburgerstraße, I believe, because her name was completely unknown to me and she did not give any further address, he stayed here and unfortunately he disappeared. Later, it was only for me that he should go to your address. Please tell people that you want to clearly specify the address, otherwise I do not know what to do with it. We are so far S.o.D. well and hopefully everything will stay the same. Right now we have a lot of work, because the season has just started. I have not had any mail from Margot for a long time. It is according to their circumstances and hopes that they are able to leave soon. Friedel can tell you more about that. Now both greetings from your Gerda and family. For you I would like to send you the letters without a reply... for the money and think of us. Only the other ask for it. Dear Willi and l. Little Achim! Today we received your card from the 29 September and were surprised that this took so long to arrive. At any rate, we were happy to hear from you that you are well. On Tuesday we also received a letter from Aunt Else and, today, a card from Aunt Meta. They are all there. Ruth just came for a Sunday visit. Aunt Adel and Uncle Max are just here and are happy that Heinz is well and send him greetings again. Otherwise we are well and hope that these lines will find you in the best of health. Warm greetings and kisses from your mummy. ___________________________________________________________ Just there came Ruth on Sunday visit. Aunt Adel and Uncle Max are level here and are glad that it goes well. Heinz, also transmits to him again the greetings. But we are in good health and hope that to you these lines find with the best welfare. Are greeted warmly and kissed Your mum _____________________________________________________________ Dear Willi and dear Achim! Mummy already wrote to you that I have come home for Sunday. I always have to leave at 3 o'clock, because in the evening I have no more connection. Are you actually learning more? Write to us again very soon sending warm greetings and kisses from your Ruth.
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All translations kindly submitted by the family
4 June 1940 From: Joachim Reissner (Son) Ort School 226 Chapeltown Road Leeds 7 To: Louis Reissner Seelow in der Mark Berlinerstrasse 20 Germany Dear Parents All goes well with me, Willi and Heinz. I hope the same with you. Expect news from you. Greetings and Kisses Joachim ------------------------------------- August 1940 Dear Willi, Achim, Heinz! We were pleased to hear from you. Are all doing well. Greetings and kisses, Father Greetings and kisses Ruth
30 July 1940 From: Joachim Reissner (Son) To: Louis Reissner Seelow in der Mark Berlinerstrasse 20 My Dear Ones We are doing well. Hope the same of you. Willi visited me here. Sincere congratulations to Ruth. Greetings Willi, Heini, Achim ------------------------------------------ December 1940 Dear Willi, Achim, Heinz! We and Philippsborns are well. Congratulations to Willi for his birthday. Greetings and kisses Mummy Many greetings, - Daddy Greetings, - Ruth
28 October 1940 From:Joachim Reissner (Son) Red Cross Message Bureau Leeds To: Louis Reissner Seelow / Mark Berlinerstrasse 20 We received answer. We were very happy. Hope you are fine. Expect reply.Best regards. Willi, Heinz, Joachim ---------------------------------------------- January 1941 We are all well. Happy to hear from you. Greetings and kisses, - Mutti Many greetings and kisses, Ruth
Memories
Willi Reissner was born on December 5, 1919 in small town called Seelow, which is on the border with Poland and about an hour, by train, from Berlin.
Willi lived in Seelow with his parents, Martha and Louis, his older sister Ruth, and his younger brother Joachim. He went to Friedrichsgymnasium in Frankfurt (Oder), about which he wrote the following: “After Hitler came to power, most of my classmates no longer spoke to me. Many were in the Hitler Youth and came to school in uniform. My class teacher was particularly anti-Semitic. He completely ignored me in lessons in the last six months, as if I was not present. He did not ask me anything and returned my classwork unmarked. If we Jewish children addressed him ourselves with a question, he dismissed us with the words, ‘Go away, Jew!’ or ‘Be quiet, Jew!’”
Just before Easter 1934, Willi’s parents received a letter from the Director of the school, informing them that he could no longer attend. After that, Willi helped his father with his skins business.
In November 1938, the house in Seelow was ransacked. Willi and his father, Louis, were arrested and taken to prison in Seelow. There, Willi was so battered by SS men that the local policeman took him to a doctor who declared him to be incapacitated and he was sent home. Louis was sent to Sachsenhausen, but was later released. Louis and Martha were later deported to Warsaw, where they died. Ruth was deported to Riga, where she was murdered.
It is believed that a distant relative, Professor Hanns Günter Reissner, saved Willi’s life by arranging for him to go to England. In the 1960s, the professor wrote that he and his family knew Willi’s family well and they often visited each other. Hanns Günter died in 1977 and his obituary states “Hans (sic) Reissner was one of those who remained in Berlin throughout the pre-war Nazi years. During the last months after the November pogroms, his honorary offices in the Jewish sphere included the membership of the committee in charge of the selection of applicants for the Kitchener Transit Camp in Richborough (Kent).”
Willi arrived in the UK, via Belgium, on 14 April 1939. His passport, stamped by Kent County Constabulary, says “Leave to land is hereby granted at Dover on condition that the holder proceeds forthwith to Richborough Refugee Camp, registers at once with the Police and remains at the Camp until he emigrates.” So it seems that the authorities did not expect anyone to stay permanently in the UK. My father’s photograph appears in a well-known camp magazine, “Some Victims of the Nazi Terror.”
Willi’s brother, Joachim, had been a pupil at the ORT school in Berlin, and three days before the outbreak of the Second World War, a group of 104 boys left Germany. On arrival in the UK, they marched to Whitechapel in London and were then taken by bus to Kitchener Camp and, presumably, to a reunion between Joachim and Willi.
On 5 December 1939 (Willi’s 20th birthday), after nearly eight months at Kitchener Camp, Willi joined the Pioneer Corps, which trained at the camp to begin with. He served in France, Belgium, and Germany, and in June 1945 he was transferred to the Interpreters’ Pool.
On 1 May 1940, Willi wrote to a cousin: “I understand you were surprised about me but I think it is right what I have done, that I always wanted to do against the Nazis as much as much as I am able.”
After he was demobbed, Willi moved to London where he met his wife, Susi, in a soft toy factory where they both worked. Willi later set up his own soft toy business. Willi and Susi married in December 1947 and had two children, Vivien and David. Willi died on 3 June 1968, on the second day of Shavuot, at the young age of 48.
Rebuilding lives and connections in the postwar era, 25 December 1945
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Photographs
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Left to right: brother, Willi, sister, Ruth (who was murdered in Riga), father, Louis, brother, Joachim, and mother, Martha.
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
[Editor’s note: These names are not easy to decipher, but comparing them to the 1939 Register, we think they include the following: Frederich Strassman, Moses (Max) Mordko Scherzer, Erwin Kohn, Andy Rosenmeyer, Harold Rossney, Harrison (?), A. F. Howards (?), Peter Ganz, E. Garchner (?), (?) Black, Ronald (?), (?) Wolfe, Herbert (?), and a man from 246 Coy (?). Please get in touch if you can help with – or recognise – any of these names.]
If you can identify any more of the names on the back (above) with the men in the photograph below, please do get in touch. And if you know any of the names we can’t decipher, it would also be good to hear from you.
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner
Submitted by Vivien Harris for her father, Willi Reissner