Object numberM2019/010:002
DescriptionPostcard, dated 5 October 1940 from Lajos Kallai to his wife Terka and his daughter Maika in Budapest. He advises them he has arrived without incident (presumably returning to forced labour) and remarks how good it was to be home, even for a few brief hours.
Lajos Kallai was born in 1902 in Hungary, to Joseph and Gisella Kallai. He married Theresa, (Terka) Kallai (nee Hutzler) and they had a daughter Mary (also referred to as Maika). Lajos was one of six children and Mary one of five; they were social, mixing in both Jewish and non-Jewish circles.
Prior to WWII, Lajos and Theresa owned a successful manufacturing business, she managed the design and he managed finances. They lived a comfortable life in Budapest and considered themselves Hungarian first and Jewish second.
In late 1940, Lajos was conscripted into the Hungarian labour service – munkaszolgálat. Assigned to the army units involved in war-related projects, he worked on road repairs, clearing forests, digging trenches and eventually, fought on the Eastern front.
Lajos’ family had few details of his whereabouts. He constantly reassured them he was well, sparing them the obvious hardships of his situation. During her Visual History Archive (VHA) interview in 1995, Mary recalls her husband was a very considerate, selfless and loving man, concerned primarily with the wellbeing of his family. On a few occasions he requests they send him warm clothing, but the majority of his correspondence is focussed on his concern for Terka and Maika.
Lajos sent his last postcard on 3 January 1943. He died in a labour camp in Kiev, Russia in March 1943.
Lajos Kallai was born in 1902 in Hungary, to Joseph and Gisella Kallai. He married Theresa, (Terka) Kallai (nee Hutzler) and they had a daughter Mary (also referred to as Maika). Lajos was one of six children and Mary one of five; they were social, mixing in both Jewish and non-Jewish circles.
Prior to WWII, Lajos and Theresa owned a successful manufacturing business, she managed the design and he managed finances. They lived a comfortable life in Budapest and considered themselves Hungarian first and Jewish second.
In late 1940, Lajos was conscripted into the Hungarian labour service – munkaszolgálat. Assigned to the army units involved in war-related projects, he worked on road repairs, clearing forests, digging trenches and eventually, fought on the Eastern front.
Lajos’ family had few details of his whereabouts. He constantly reassured them he was well, sparing them the obvious hardships of his situation. During her Visual History Archive (VHA) interview in 1995, Mary recalls her husband was a very considerate, selfless and loving man, concerned primarily with the wellbeing of his family. On a few occasions he requests they send him warm clothing, but the majority of his correspondence is focussed on his concern for Terka and Maika.
Lajos sent his last postcard on 3 January 1943. He died in a labour camp in Kiev, Russia in March 1943.
Production date 1940-10-05 - 1940-10-05
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 147.00 mm
height: 104.00 mm
Language
- Hungarian
October 5, 1940
My Dear Terka and Maika,
I arrived without incident. It was very good to be at home for even those few hours. My Dear Terka take good care of my dear little Maika!!
Lots of love,
Lajos
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mary Silvers