Post-war Rehabilitation doll in Latvian dress
Object numberM2022/027:007
TitlePost-war Rehabilitation doll in Latvian dress
DescriptionSmall rag doll wearing Latvian dress with blue embellished bodice/vest, wide blue patterned skirt with yellow, green and red stripes and a crown-like beaded head dress. The doll is holding a handkerchief and a floral arrangment.
Part of a collection of eight dolls given to Rachel Murray Kerr during her time as a senior welfare officer for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA).
Rachel Murray Kerr was born in 1919, Dumfries, Scotland. During the outbreak of World War Two, she began her first job as a welfare officer in an ammunitions factory. Throughout the war, she stayed close to her widowed mother, undertaking various war related work.
In 1945, she applied for a job with UNNRA at their headquarters in Gottingen, Germany where she was sent to various displaced persons camps. One key component of her role was repatriation work for the thousands of individuals after the war. She also organised sports contests and other activities to occupy those still awaiting transport home. It was during this time that she received dolls as gifts.
Whilst at UNRRA, she became engaged to her husband who was serving with the army and they were married on her return to Dumfries.
Part of a collection of eight dolls given to Rachel Murray Kerr during her time as a senior welfare officer for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA).
Rachel Murray Kerr was born in 1919, Dumfries, Scotland. During the outbreak of World War Two, she began her first job as a welfare officer in an ammunitions factory. Throughout the war, she stayed close to her widowed mother, undertaking various war related work.
In 1945, she applied for a job with UNNRA at their headquarters in Gottingen, Germany where she was sent to various displaced persons camps. One key component of her role was repatriation work for the thousands of individuals after the war. She also organised sports contests and other activities to occupy those still awaiting transport home. It was during this time that she received dolls as gifts.
Whilst at UNRRA, she became engaged to her husband who was serving with the army and they were married on her return to Dumfries.
Production placeGottingen, Germany
Production date 1945 - 1948
Object namedolls
Dimensions
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Richard Mark Primrose. This collection is donated in memory of Rachel Murray Kerr.