Object numberM2018/041:002
DescriptionPolice Registration document pertaining to Rudolf Kosterlitz, Gleiwitz, Upper Silesia, 3 January 1939. It certifies his forthcoming immigration to Perth, Australia, and details his birthdate, occupation and that he is Jewish. There is a secondary date in the upper right corner, stamped 1938, but its relevance is unknown. Donated by Rudolf's daughter, Jennifer Koster.
Rudolf Kosterlitz (later becoming Koster), was born in Gleiwitz, in Upper Silesia, 10 May 1913. His parents were Ludwig Kosterlitz, a merchant by trade, and his mother was Betty Kosterlitz, nee Heilborn. Rudolf was the youngest of six children, four girls and two boys. His parents ran a green-grocer business.
Initially, Rudolf aspired to become a cantor, but his parents were unable to pay for his education, so in 1927 he began an apprenticeship as a pastry cook. He worked at various bake-house establishments as a journeyman-baker, learning the craft of bread making and confectioner’s goods. Work was difficult to attain and in 1936, with a view to immigrate and learn a new trade, he moved to Berlin, obtaining work as a butler, labouring on the canals and as a horticulturist and gardener. Additionally, Rudolf had already met his wife, Sylvia Pawlik and was working to enable their marriage. He was arrested on Kristallnacht and sent to Buchenwald. Rudolf’s release was provisional on that he leave Germany. He and Sylvia were wed, 23 December, 1938, but unfortunately, Sylvia did not have a visa. Rudolf made his way to Australia hoping he could later obtain one for his wife. He arrived in Perth, February 1939. In 1940, Sylvia's application for admission to Australia was rejected; in 1942 she was arrested by the Gestapo, transported to Auschwitz and murdered. He continued to write to her until late 1941, early 1942 until he received a letter from a Christian lady who lived nearby. She wrote a very friendly letter ending it with “Sylvia has gone on holidays”.
In April 1942, Rudolf enlisted in the Australian Army, 12 Employment Company. He was discharged November 1944. In 1946 he was in Sydney for a wedding and met his second wife, Eva Maschler. Rudolf's Father Ludwig Kosterlitz was murdered in Treblinka, date unknown. His mother, Betty Kosterlitz died in 1933 of causes unknown. His four sisters and one brother all survived the Holocaust.
Rudolf Kosterlitz (later becoming Koster), was born in Gleiwitz, in Upper Silesia, 10 May 1913. His parents were Ludwig Kosterlitz, a merchant by trade, and his mother was Betty Kosterlitz, nee Heilborn. Rudolf was the youngest of six children, four girls and two boys. His parents ran a green-grocer business.
Initially, Rudolf aspired to become a cantor, but his parents were unable to pay for his education, so in 1927 he began an apprenticeship as a pastry cook. He worked at various bake-house establishments as a journeyman-baker, learning the craft of bread making and confectioner’s goods. Work was difficult to attain and in 1936, with a view to immigrate and learn a new trade, he moved to Berlin, obtaining work as a butler, labouring on the canals and as a horticulturist and gardener. Additionally, Rudolf had already met his wife, Sylvia Pawlik and was working to enable their marriage. He was arrested on Kristallnacht and sent to Buchenwald. Rudolf’s release was provisional on that he leave Germany. He and Sylvia were wed, 23 December, 1938, but unfortunately, Sylvia did not have a visa. Rudolf made his way to Australia hoping he could later obtain one for his wife. He arrived in Perth, February 1939. In 1940, Sylvia's application for admission to Australia was rejected; in 1942 she was arrested by the Gestapo, transported to Auschwitz and murdered. He continued to write to her until late 1941, early 1942 until he received a letter from a Christian lady who lived nearby. She wrote a very friendly letter ending it with “Sylvia has gone on holidays”.
In April 1942, Rudolf enlisted in the Australian Army, 12 Employment Company. He was discharged November 1944. In 1946 he was in Sydney for a wedding and met his second wife, Eva Maschler. Rudolf's Father Ludwig Kosterlitz was murdered in Treblinka, date unknown. His mother, Betty Kosterlitz died in 1933 of causes unknown. His four sisters and one brother all survived the Holocaust.
Production date 1939-01-03 - 1939-01-03
Object nameregistration documents
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 295.00 mm
height: 210.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Jennifer Koster