Object numberM2019/016:003
DescriptionTwo copies of the 14 page report on the H.M.T Dunera, an edited draft and a final copy, submitted on the 2 December 1940, Internees' Head Office, No.7 Camp, Eastern Command.
The report concerns treatment of internees on H.M.T Dunera. The report is prefaced by the copies of two letters. The first from the Camp Spokesman, submitting their report and asking for the High Commissioner to clarify their status as no one is Australia will act as intermediaries between the interness and the British Government. The second letter is an acknoweldgement from Geoffery Whiscard, the High Commissioner that he has recieved their report.
The report concerns the treament of refugees aboard the Dunera, who in the majority were fleeing persecution in Nazi Germany, rather than prisoners of war. The report outlines that many were mislead in their understanding of voyage depending on the camp from which they originated in England. In the case of Lothar Markiewicz, who had been in Douglas on the Isle of Man he was informed he was going to Canada, and many did not know they were traveling to Australia until midway through the journey.
The following section 'Embarkation' documents how personal items were systematically stolen or damaged upon arrival to the ship by the English guards and soldiers. The next section concerns their treatment during the voyage and is further subdivided into sections describing the hygienic conditions, searches and confiscations, loss of luggage, and treatment of the Internees by the Military.
The one copy has been notated with corrections, and on the top left corner of the first page in blue ink is signed 'Lothar Markiewicz'.
The Markiewicz Collection consists of private letters, official documents and personal papers which record the survival stories of three family members, Lotte, a single mother sending her two children, Lothar and Ellen on a Kindertransport to England, then her escape into the Berlin Underground. Ellen was looked after by Quaker families in England for the duration of the war but the teenage Lothar, aged 16, was shipped as an ‘Enemy Alien’ on the Dunera to Australia. He was rapidly released from internment and sent back to England. Light is also shed on the Quaker efforts for his release and return to England.
Lotte married Max Markiewicz, and had two children, Lothar born on 9 January 1924 and Ellen, born 18 August 1926, in Berlin. Lotte and Max separated shortly after Ellen’s birth, after which the children had limited contact with their father, usually meeting once per month. Max was murdered in Theresienstadt Ghetto 1943. Lotte survived in hiding in Berlin underground, moving to England after the war, and later settled in the United States with Ellen. Lothar married and settled in England until 1993, when he moved with his wife to Australia, to be closer to his son Michael and grandchildren.
The report concerns treatment of internees on H.M.T Dunera. The report is prefaced by the copies of two letters. The first from the Camp Spokesman, submitting their report and asking for the High Commissioner to clarify their status as no one is Australia will act as intermediaries between the interness and the British Government. The second letter is an acknoweldgement from Geoffery Whiscard, the High Commissioner that he has recieved their report.
The report concerns the treament of refugees aboard the Dunera, who in the majority were fleeing persecution in Nazi Germany, rather than prisoners of war. The report outlines that many were mislead in their understanding of voyage depending on the camp from which they originated in England. In the case of Lothar Markiewicz, who had been in Douglas on the Isle of Man he was informed he was going to Canada, and many did not know they were traveling to Australia until midway through the journey.
The following section 'Embarkation' documents how personal items were systematically stolen or damaged upon arrival to the ship by the English guards and soldiers. The next section concerns their treatment during the voyage and is further subdivided into sections describing the hygienic conditions, searches and confiscations, loss of luggage, and treatment of the Internees by the Military.
The one copy has been notated with corrections, and on the top left corner of the first page in blue ink is signed 'Lothar Markiewicz'.
The Markiewicz Collection consists of private letters, official documents and personal papers which record the survival stories of three family members, Lotte, a single mother sending her two children, Lothar and Ellen on a Kindertransport to England, then her escape into the Berlin Underground. Ellen was looked after by Quaker families in England for the duration of the war but the teenage Lothar, aged 16, was shipped as an ‘Enemy Alien’ on the Dunera to Australia. He was rapidly released from internment and sent back to England. Light is also shed on the Quaker efforts for his release and return to England.
Lotte married Max Markiewicz, and had two children, Lothar born on 9 January 1924 and Ellen, born 18 August 1926, in Berlin. Lotte and Max separated shortly after Ellen’s birth, after which the children had limited contact with their father, usually meeting once per month. Max was murdered in Theresienstadt Ghetto 1943. Lotte survived in hiding in Berlin underground, moving to England after the war, and later settled in the United States with Ellen. Lothar married and settled in England until 1993, when he moved with his wife to Australia, to be closer to his son Michael and grandchildren.
Production placeHay, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1940-12-02 - 1940-12-02
SubjectDunera, Hay internment camp, refugee experiences in Australia, Treatment of Aliens, transport ships
Object nameofficial reports
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 205.00 mm
height: 206.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Michael Markiewicz