This page is for photographs of objects brought out of Europe to Britain in 1939
We are looking for images of ‘ordinary’ items – that are often extraordinary simply because of the context.
Sadly, many of the Jewish refugees had suitcases of items stolen from Kitchener, which were taken when they joined up with the Pioneer Corps – it was said by British Army soldiers. Has anyone any narratives from Kitchener relatives about this? They had to leave many of their personal and family belongings at the camp – many of which ‘went missing’, for whatever reason.
The men’s cases and trunks had often been carefully and lovingly packed by mothers and wives whom they would never see again.
These items would have been all that families believed they had managed to salvage, and in this context, even seemingly everyday items would have been immeasurably precious.
If you have images of items you would like to share with the Kitchener camp project, please get in touch in the usual way.
Kitchener camp, Erna Finkelstein, Prayer book
Erna Finkelstein, Prayer book inscription: Meine lieben Erna, von Mama-In freud und leid, nimm dieses buchlein sur Hand
Erna Finkelstein, Gold Mezuzah pendant, hidden in lining of coat. A ‘good luck charm’ from her Mother, reads ‘ מזל ‘ / Luck
Werner Weissenberg – items brought to Kitchener camp from Germany, 1939
Evening gloves (soiled with age): on silk handkerchief, 1930s
Werner Weissenberg, hand-sewn and embroidered linen
Originally belonged to Werner’s aunt Clara Weissenberg (see initials: ‘CW’). Clara was transported from Beuthen in June 1942
Werner Weissenberg: University of Breslau ‘colours’, 1930s
Alter Horowitz, family tin, containing mother’s photograph
Alter Horowitz, family tin, containing mother’s photograph, side view
Alter Horowitz, family tin, containing mother’s photograph
Nuchim Kürschner, German-English Dictionary
Nuchim Kürschner, German-English Dictionary – showing Nuchim’s hut number (10/II) and camp number (1806)
