Object numberM2018/008:093
Description
In March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the “Anschluss”. From May 1938, the racist Nuremberg laws applied in Austria, and Austrian Jews were steadily ostracised from their societies during the process of “Aryanisation.” This tension came to a climax in the Kristallnacht pogrom from 9th-10th November.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
Once established in Australia, Leo makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
In 1941, although still technically stateless, Leo takes a break from jewellery-making and enlists in the Australian Army Reserve, then called the Citizen Military Services. He carries out domestic operations as a part of the Australian Employment Company, the organisation responsible for transporting supplies, loading and unloading trucks, and repairing defence infrastructure. Leo spends the year 1942 working for the Australian manufacturing branch of the Beaufort Bombers, twin-engined torpedo bombers used by Great Britain and Australia in WWII. This item is a photograph taken of Leo in military uniform, standing next to an identified "famous artist" (according to a note on the back of the photograph). The photo may have appeared on the front of the SMH or Sun newspaper, although this claim has not been verified.
In March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the “Anschluss”. From May 1938, the racist Nuremberg laws applied in Austria, and Austrian Jews were steadily ostracised from their societies during the process of “Aryanisation.” This tension came to a climax in the Kristallnacht pogrom from 9th-10th November.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
Once established in Australia, Leo makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
In 1941, although still technically stateless, Leo takes a break from jewellery-making and enlists in the Australian Army Reserve, then called the Citizen Military Services. He carries out domestic operations as a part of the Australian Employment Company, the organisation responsible for transporting supplies, loading and unloading trucks, and repairing defence infrastructure. Leo spends the year 1942 working for the Australian manufacturing branch of the Beaufort Bombers, twin-engined torpedo bombers used by Great Britain and Australia in WWII. This item is a photograph taken of Leo in military uniform, standing next to an identified "famous artist" (according to a note on the back of the photograph). The photo may have appeared on the front of the SMH or Sun newspaper, although this claim has not been verified.
Production placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1942 - 1942
Subjectrefugees, refugee experiences in Australia, World War II (1939-1945), military service, enemy aliens, rebuilding lives, Australian Employment Company, Australian Defence Force, Beaufort Bombers, photographs, armed forces, conscription, Citizen Military Services, Australian Army Reserve, Australian Army, Australian armed forces
Object namephotographs
Dimensions
- length: 178.00 mm
width: 127.00 mm
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit