Object numberM2019/016:058
DescriptionLetters, between Marjorie Ballance, Crispin, and Lothar Markiewicz, St Bede's School, Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Near Stafford, England.
The letter from Miss Ballance on the 29 February 1948, concerns the mental health of Lothar's mother Lotte. Marjorie Ballance writes that Lothar should find his mother psychiatric treatment and that the advice reportedly given to Lothar by a doctor not to seek help is incorrect, even if his Mother's illness has been longstanding. The rest of the letter concerns the current cold weather, which has delayed Ellen travel to Canada, and Lothar's study for the First Aid exams.
The draft letter of response, written on 11 March 1948 by Lothar Markiewicz to Marjorie Ballance, defends his mother, Lotte's 'case'. He writes that the issue of his Mother's condition is due to her 'nature' and 'character', and that he will follow the advice of their Doctor, who is his Aunt, and not seek psychiatric treatment. The letter concludes in a politer tone, with Lothar writing about his upcoming exams leaving little time for the holidays and asking Miss Ballance to thank Chips for her last letter. Part of the letter has been crossed out and rewritten in red pen.
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 from Miss Ballance on the 29 February 1948, concerns the mental health of Lothar's mother Lotte. Marjorie Ballance writes that Lothar should find his mother psychiatric treatment and that the advice reportedly given to Lothar by a doctor not to seek help is incorrect, even if his Mother's illness has been longstanding. The rest of the letter concerns the current cold weather, which has delayed Ellen travel to Canada, and Lothar's study for the First Aid exams.
The draft letter of response, written on 11 March 1948 by Lothar Markiewicz to Marjorie Ballance, defends his mother, Lotte's 'case'. He writes that the issue of his Mother's condition is due to her 'nature' and 'character', and that he will follow the advice of their Doctor, who is his Aunt, and not seek psychiatric treatment. The letter concludes in a politer tone, with Lothar writing about his upcoming exams leaving little time for the holidays and asking Miss Ballance to thank Chips for her last letter. Part of the letter has been crossed out and rewritten in red pen.
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 1948-02-29 - 1948-02-29
Subjecthealth, survivors, mental illness
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- a width: 128.00 mm
a height: 205.00 mm
b width: 204.00 mm
b height: 126.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Michael Markiewicz