Object numberM2018/018:034
DescriptionLetter to Laszlo Sarkadi. Co-written by his son Joseph (b. 1934), and one of Laszlo's brothers in law (either Emil or Feri Reisz). Written in the family's home village of Kunszentmiklos, c. 1937-39.
Laszlo may at this stage have been away from home as a pre-war conscript in the Hungarian Army. In 1939 the government forbade Jews to serve in the armed forces.
Joseph writes "I’d like to see my Daddy in uniform... I pray at nights for my Daddy and for him to return home in health."
The other author then speaks of daily life, and writes "I haven’t asked yet if you really feel so good? It sounds pretty suspicious to me. But it’s also possible that you are a glutton for punishment...". There is mention of Laszlo's "big case" - an unknown legal or business issue.
Laszlo Sarkadi (originally Spitzer) was born on November 30, 1907. His family were businesspeople in the village of Kunszentmiklos, south of Budapest. Laszlo married Ilona Reisz in 1934. They had three children – Joseph (b. 1934), Stephen (b. 1938) and Emily (b. 1947).
Laszlo was a pre-World War II Hungarian army conscript. During the war, he was drafted into the Jewish Labour Service. He spent the majority of the war years in forced labour.
Ilona and her sons fled to Budapest. Joseph and Stephen were placed in hiding, sometimes separately. Both carried the trauma of this period with them for life.
The Sarkadis rebuilt their lives in Budapest after the war. Joseph and Stephen returned to school and were involved in Communist youth activities.
The family was eventually persecuted by the Communist government. In 1958, the family migrated to Melbourne, Australia. They operated a restaurant from 1960-63.
Joseph enquired about attending The University of Melbourne, but this never eventuated. He died in a car crash in 1963.
In 1972, the family received reparations from the Federal Republic of Germany.
Laszlo died in 1986.
Ilona and her siblings Feri (b. 1911) and Emil Reisz (b. 1915) were born into a successful business and land-owning family in Kunszentmiklos. Emil was a champion athlete. Both brothers were barred from entering university due to anti-Jewish laws.
The brothers were pre-World War II Hungarian army conscripts. They were drafted into the Jewish Labour Service, and transported to forced labour camps. Feri and Emil are believed to have died in separate camps near the river Don (present-day Russia) at some time in 1943.
Laszlo may at this stage have been away from home as a pre-war conscript in the Hungarian Army. In 1939 the government forbade Jews to serve in the armed forces.
Joseph writes "I’d like to see my Daddy in uniform... I pray at nights for my Daddy and for him to return home in health."
The other author then speaks of daily life, and writes "I haven’t asked yet if you really feel so good? It sounds pretty suspicious to me. But it’s also possible that you are a glutton for punishment...". There is mention of Laszlo's "big case" - an unknown legal or business issue.
Laszlo Sarkadi (originally Spitzer) was born on November 30, 1907. His family were businesspeople in the village of Kunszentmiklos, south of Budapest. Laszlo married Ilona Reisz in 1934. They had three children – Joseph (b. 1934), Stephen (b. 1938) and Emily (b. 1947).
Laszlo was a pre-World War II Hungarian army conscript. During the war, he was drafted into the Jewish Labour Service. He spent the majority of the war years in forced labour.
Ilona and her sons fled to Budapest. Joseph and Stephen were placed in hiding, sometimes separately. Both carried the trauma of this period with them for life.
The Sarkadis rebuilt their lives in Budapest after the war. Joseph and Stephen returned to school and were involved in Communist youth activities.
The family was eventually persecuted by the Communist government. In 1958, the family migrated to Melbourne, Australia. They operated a restaurant from 1960-63.
Joseph enquired about attending The University of Melbourne, but this never eventuated. He died in a car crash in 1963.
In 1972, the family received reparations from the Federal Republic of Germany.
Laszlo died in 1986.
Ilona and her siblings Feri (b. 1911) and Emil Reisz (b. 1915) were born into a successful business and land-owning family in Kunszentmiklos. Emil was a champion athlete. Both brothers were barred from entering university due to anti-Jewish laws.
The brothers were pre-World War II Hungarian army conscripts. They were drafted into the Jewish Labour Service, and transported to forced labour camps. Feri and Emil are believed to have died in separate camps near the river Don (present-day Russia) at some time in 1943.
Production placeKunszentmiklós, Hungary
Production date 1937 - 1939
Subjectuniforms, conscription, children, separation, family life
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Techniquehandwritten
Dimensions
- length: 228.00 mm
width: 144.00 mm
Language
- Hungarian Ignac Reisz Kunszentmiklós, 193
Kunszentmiklos
My dear Daddy,
I sit in Grandmother’s lap who guides the pen in my hand. The fair is tomorrow, I’ll get a present but she won’t tell me what. I’d like to see my Daddy in uniform. Please send a photo. I pray at nights for my Daddy and for him to return home in health.
With respect
Joska
My dear Laci,
... parental necessity and my love towards you as my brother-in-law makes me (as some sort of outstanding letter writer) to turn to you with my messy lines. The lines overleaf are from your little boy who had a lot of difficulty to figure out what to write and he said that he could share his thoughts better in person. I haven’t asked yet if you really feel so good? It sounds pretty suspicious to me. But it’s also possible that you are a glutton for punishment , there are such people. I’m about to speak to Dr Pongrac about your big case.
Joska has just asked me to tell you that Maris in the office overstuffed the stove and it was very hot.
We managed to arrange the transport in good order, I think as a pupil of yours I’m worthy of you although I may never achieve your masterful standard. Don’t expect more letters from me, I am my father’s son. The old gentleman is saying that he’ll tell you everything in person. Every night, if there is no newspaper he reads your letters.
You can expect my next letter in three weeks’ time,
With love
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ester Sarkadi-Clarke