Object numberM2019/016:019
DescriptionLetter and envelope, from A. R Wallace, Headmaster of Sherborne School, England to Lothar Markiewicz Hut 12, Camp 8, Eastern Command, Australia, 19 February 1941. The envelope was opened by the Censor. It is stamped that it was received at the Hay Internment Camp on the 26th of April 1941
Letter concerns the efforts to see Lothar released from internment in Australia, by Mr Wallace, his guardian. Wallace writes that he and Mrs. Atkinson have been writing to the Home Office and others on Lothar behalf. He repeats that he would gladly take Lothar back to school if he is released, and that Lothar was taken against their will. Mr. Wallace explains that the release of Lothar is dependent on the approval of Dorset Council agreeing to take on the risk of Lothar's death in a sea journey back to Australia. Which they are relucant to do. They are also investigating whether Lothar could be released in Australia and attend school there, which would require the approval of the Commonwealth Government. This Wallace states is also unlikely. The frustration is clear when Wallace states that he has written to the Home Office asking where they expect Lothar to live if he is released, and yet cannot come back to England by sea and will not be allowed to live in Australia. Wallace continues that there has been no response from the Home Office. However a representative of Bloomsbury House (Quakers, the Religious Society of Friends) will meet with Mrs Atkinson's cousin (Miss Ballance) to discuss the case further.
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.
Letter concerns the efforts to see Lothar released from internment in Australia, by Mr Wallace, his guardian. Wallace writes that he and Mrs. Atkinson have been writing to the Home Office and others on Lothar behalf. He repeats that he would gladly take Lothar back to school if he is released, and that Lothar was taken against their will. Mr. Wallace explains that the release of Lothar is dependent on the approval of Dorset Council agreeing to take on the risk of Lothar's death in a sea journey back to Australia. Which they are relucant to do. They are also investigating whether Lothar could be released in Australia and attend school there, which would require the approval of the Commonwealth Government. This Wallace states is also unlikely. The frustration is clear when Wallace states that he has written to the Home Office asking where they expect Lothar to live if he is released, and yet cannot come back to England by sea and will not be allowed to live in Australia. Wallace continues that there has been no response from the Home Office. However a representative of Bloomsbury House (Quakers, the Religious Society of Friends) will meet with Mrs Atkinson's cousin (Miss Ballance) to discuss the case further.
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 1941-02-19 - 1941-02-19
Subjectrefugee experiences in Australia, keeping in touch, Hay internment camp, Treatment of Aliens, Dunera
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- a width: 202.00 mm
a height: 255.00 mm
b width: 136.00 mm
b height: 107.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Michael Markiewicz