Object numberM1995/054:004
TitleTraded handkerchief obtained by Frida Milder in Auschwitz
DescriptionCheckered handkerchief, green and white, obtained by Frida Milder in exchange for a ration of bread, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland. The handkerchief was stolen by one of the inmates working in the laundry sorting block where they sorted clothes stolen from inmates to be sent to the German people.
Frida Milder (nee Herman) was born 5 January 1924 in Bunkovce, in the Slovakian speaking region of what was Czechoslovakia. The nearest city was Uzhorod. They were the only Jewish family in Bunkovce. Their farm was situated on the Slovakian and Hungarian border. She was in Uzhorod ghetto, Auschwitz II-Birkenau (Poland), marched to Ravensbrück (Germany), then to Malchow (Germany) and finally liberated in Taucha (Germany).
It was the second marriage for both her parents, Mor Herman and Bertha Sijovic. Her father had seven sons from his first marriage - Emil, Sam, Marcus, Ignac, Joseph, Dave and Isidor. In their second marriage they had three children: Zoli, Frida [the first girl] and Alice. They knew of developments in Germany during the early 1930s—Hitler becoming Chancellor, promulgation of antisemitic laws and increasing violence against German Jews from those fleeing this persecution. They were outraged by France’s and Britain’s capitulation to Hitler’s demands regarding the Sudentenland and consequent betrayal at Munich in 1938.
She met Dr. Emil Milder (her future husband) at his brother’s place, where she frequently stayed when she went to Sobrance for sewing lessons. She was 16. He was 38. Twenty-two-years difference. Soon, most people in Sobrance knew of the romance between Dr. Milder and a young country girl. In 1942 Slovakia began deporting young Jewish men and women to, at that time, an unknown destination. As their farm was the last building before the Hungarian border they hid as well as helped a number of these escapees to cross the border into Hungary. In 1944 Germany invaded Hungary. The newly-established, pro-German government under Ference Szálasi, assisted with the deportation of Hungarian Jewry.
The Herman family was one of the first in Ungvar to be “moved” into the newly created ghetto—a previously Jewish-owned brick factory. Food and water supplies were dangerously low. Medical care was non-existent. Through a contact of her father’s Frida was able to procure documents that permitted her to travel outside the ghetto. She was able to smuggle in food and medicines. One day they were marched to the station where they and other Jews were forced into cattle wagons. The journey was overcrowded, no food or water as well as no sanitary requirements except a bucket in the corner of the box-cart. Upon arrival to Auschwitz Frida and Alice were separated from their parents. They were marched to a barrack where they were told to strip and were shorn of their hair. It became difficult to recognise each other. Frida ran around like a mad person trying to locate her sister. As men and women were crowded together, someone tapping her shoulder. To her amazement it was Emil.
Frida learnt that they were in Auschwitz-Birkenau as well as the fate of her parents—murdered in the crematoria. She was selected to work in the camp’s kitchen. She was able to organise a little extra food for Alice. After the camp was evacuated in January 1945, she and a group of women were marched for 8 days to Ravensbruck. Then to Malchow and finally to Taucha. Frida and 11 women who were still alive were liberated by Russian soldiers.
She returned to Slovakia. She was re-united with Emil Milder. They were married 26 July 1945. Frida was 21 years old. A son – Danny was born in 1947. They emigrated to Australia in 1950 accompanied by their 3-year-old son and her sister Alice. In 1957 after much difficulty Emil was registered and he opened a private practice in Kings Cross. Emil died in 1993. Frida organised a plot next to his so that when it was her time, she would find peace next to him. She died on 27 August 2007, aged 83.
Frida Milder (nee Herman) was born 5 January 1924 in Bunkovce, in the Slovakian speaking region of what was Czechoslovakia. The nearest city was Uzhorod. They were the only Jewish family in Bunkovce. Their farm was situated on the Slovakian and Hungarian border. She was in Uzhorod ghetto, Auschwitz II-Birkenau (Poland), marched to Ravensbrück (Germany), then to Malchow (Germany) and finally liberated in Taucha (Germany).
It was the second marriage for both her parents, Mor Herman and Bertha Sijovic. Her father had seven sons from his first marriage - Emil, Sam, Marcus, Ignac, Joseph, Dave and Isidor. In their second marriage they had three children: Zoli, Frida [the first girl] and Alice. They knew of developments in Germany during the early 1930s—Hitler becoming Chancellor, promulgation of antisemitic laws and increasing violence against German Jews from those fleeing this persecution. They were outraged by France’s and Britain’s capitulation to Hitler’s demands regarding the Sudentenland and consequent betrayal at Munich in 1938.
She met Dr. Emil Milder (her future husband) at his brother’s place, where she frequently stayed when she went to Sobrance for sewing lessons. She was 16. He was 38. Twenty-two-years difference. Soon, most people in Sobrance knew of the romance between Dr. Milder and a young country girl. In 1942 Slovakia began deporting young Jewish men and women to, at that time, an unknown destination. As their farm was the last building before the Hungarian border they hid as well as helped a number of these escapees to cross the border into Hungary. In 1944 Germany invaded Hungary. The newly-established, pro-German government under Ference Szálasi, assisted with the deportation of Hungarian Jewry.
The Herman family was one of the first in Ungvar to be “moved” into the newly created ghetto—a previously Jewish-owned brick factory. Food and water supplies were dangerously low. Medical care was non-existent. Through a contact of her father’s Frida was able to procure documents that permitted her to travel outside the ghetto. She was able to smuggle in food and medicines. One day they were marched to the station where they and other Jews were forced into cattle wagons. The journey was overcrowded, no food or water as well as no sanitary requirements except a bucket in the corner of the box-cart. Upon arrival to Auschwitz Frida and Alice were separated from their parents. They were marched to a barrack where they were told to strip and were shorn of their hair. It became difficult to recognise each other. Frida ran around like a mad person trying to locate her sister. As men and women were crowded together, someone tapping her shoulder. To her amazement it was Emil.
Frida learnt that they were in Auschwitz-Birkenau as well as the fate of her parents—murdered in the crematoria. She was selected to work in the camp’s kitchen. She was able to organise a little extra food for Alice. After the camp was evacuated in January 1945, she and a group of women were marched for 8 days to Ravensbruck. Then to Malchow and finally to Taucha. Frida and 11 women who were still alive were liberated by Russian soldiers.
She returned to Slovakia. She was re-united with Emil Milder. They were married 26 July 1945. Frida was 21 years old. A son – Danny was born in 1947. They emigrated to Australia in 1950 accompanied by their 3-year-old son and her sister Alice. In 1957 after much difficulty Emil was registered and he opened a private practice in Kings Cross. Emil died in 1993. Frida organised a plot next to his so that when it was her time, she would find peace next to him. She died on 27 August 2007, aged 83.
Subjectconcentration camps
Object namehandkerchiefs
Materialcotton
Dimensions
- width: 300.00 mm
height: 300.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs. Frida Milder