Object numberM2019/016:013
DescriptionLetter, from Mrs H. Myers, Records Department, Refugee Children's Movement, Bloomsbury House, England to Lothar Markiewicz, Sherborne School, Dorset, England, 25 March 1942.
The letter is in response to Lothar Markiewicz's enquiry about the location of his birth certificate and passport. Mrs Myers of the Records Department for the Refugee Children's Movement reports that originally the documents were sent on 10 March 1941 to Canada, and at the request of the Records Department were then sent to Australia on 19 April 1941, when they were informed of Lothar's transfer to that country. The letter is concluded with the promise to contact Lothar once they have recieved a response from Australia and if the documents are not found, will be replaced.
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 letter is in response to Lothar Markiewicz's enquiry about the location of his birth certificate and passport. Mrs Myers of the Records Department for the Refugee Children's Movement reports that originally the documents were sent on 10 March 1941 to Canada, and at the request of the Records Department were then sent to Australia on 19 April 1941, when they were informed of Lothar's transfer to that country. The letter is concluded with the promise to contact Lothar once they have recieved a response from Australia and if the documents are not found, will be replaced.
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 date 1942-03-25 - 1942-03-25
SubjectDunera, refugee experiences in Australia, charitable organisations, Treatment of Aliens, Kindertransport
Object nameofficial correspondence
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 205.00 mm
height: 206.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Michael Markiewicz