Object numberM2020/007:001
DescriptionTelegram from Manchester, England to the Gruschka family in Prague, dated 31 January 1939, which confirms that everything is in order for John Gruschka to escape to family in Manchester via Dover. John (Hans) Gruschka was born to Jewish parents Helene and Theodore Gruschka in Czechoslovakia in 1924. The Gruschka family came from the German-speaking town of Aussig, but they were forced to separate during the war to escape the Nazi threat. In February 1939, at age 15, John was sent to Manchester in England. He stayed with distant relatives (the Meeks - formerly Mackaborsky) and received an education, qualifying as an industrial chemist. Theodor was a Professor of medicine; he escaped to Palestine taking his daughter with him. Helene remained in Prague to care for her sick mother. On 8 September 1942 she was transported to Terezin concentration camp. On 1 February 1943 she was sent in transport ‘Cu-618’ (‘death transport’) to Auschwitz where she died at the age of 53. This telegram is part of a larger collection of correspondence sent during 1939-1943 between John and his parents Theodor and Helene Gruschka.
Production placeManchester, England
Production date 1939-01-31 - 1939-01-31
Object nametelegrams
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 219.00 mm
height: 148.00 mm
Language
- English John can leave immediately to arrive Dover Friday and bring all papers and documents will be met at Dover Meek
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr John Gruschka