Object numberM2019/016:004
DescriptionLetter, from Mrs. A.N.H Atkinson, Holway, Cattistock, Dorchester, England, to Lothar Markiewicz in Australia, 20 January 1941.
Mrs Atkinson's handwritten letter to Lothar opens with the news that she has heard from her cousin, Miss Marjorie Heudebourk Ballance of Lothar's 'horrible' journey from England to his camp in Australia. She continues that she, and other friends such as Mr and Mrs Pease, A.R Wallace, the Headmaster of Sherborne, Harold Sherborne, the Bishop of Sherborne, and Elizabeth Landmann are asking for a government investigation of the overcrowding and loss of luggage. She also informs Lothar that she will not supply any details to Ellen.
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.
Mrs Atkinson's handwritten letter to Lothar opens with the news that she has heard from her cousin, Miss Marjorie Heudebourk Ballance of Lothar's 'horrible' journey from England to his camp in Australia. She continues that she, and other friends such as Mr and Mrs Pease, A.R Wallace, the Headmaster of Sherborne, Harold Sherborne, the Bishop of Sherborne, and Elizabeth Landmann are asking for a government investigation of the overcrowding and loss of luggage. She also informs Lothar that she will not supply any details to Ellen.
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 placeEngland
Production date 1941-01-20 - 1941-01-20
SubjectDunera, Hay internment camp, refugee experiences in Australia, Treatment of Aliens, keeping in touch
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 179.00 mm
height: 231.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Michael Markiewicz