Object numberM1995/012:002
DescriptionGerman Red Cross message from Jacob Kaufmann, Wuppertal, Germany, to his son-in-law Kurt Lilienfeld, Sydney, 21 July 1942. In 25 words only, the number of words permitted, he writes a last letter of farewell: "On the 20th of July we are 'moving' (relocate) to Theresienstadt (Terezín). Hopefully we will see each other again. God’s blessing for you. Carry on living in our spirit". A stamp on the reverse indicates that the form is not permissible for reply and that a response can be made through the Australian Red Cross or Thomas Cook.
The donor, John Lilienfeld's father, Kurt, was born in 1899 in Cologne, Germany, to Abraham and Hedvig Lilienfeld. He had two brothers and a sister. One of his brothers and his sister immigrated to America in the mid-1930s; by 1937/38 Kurt realized he had to get out of Germany. He applied for America but was rejected; someone suggested he apply for Australia and he was accepted. He left in September 1938 with his wife Lotte (nee Kaufmann). They arrived in Sydney in November 1938 on the RMS Orion. Their son, John, was born in 1940.
Kurt’s father died before the youngest child was born (date unknown) and his mother committed suicide before she could be deported. Lotte’s parents, Jacob and Wilhelmina Kaufmann, were deported from Germany to Theresienstadt in July 1942, and on 21 September 1942 they were deported to Treblinka death camp where they were murdered.
In Sydney, Kurt worked in a photographic business (he was in the scrap metal business in Germany). He and his wife were regarded as ‘enemy aliens’, but it was not long before Kurt joined the Australian army, loading and unloading ships. Later he became an agent selling goods for a manufacturer.
The donor, John Lilienfeld's father, Kurt, was born in 1899 in Cologne, Germany, to Abraham and Hedvig Lilienfeld. He had two brothers and a sister. One of his brothers and his sister immigrated to America in the mid-1930s; by 1937/38 Kurt realized he had to get out of Germany. He applied for America but was rejected; someone suggested he apply for Australia and he was accepted. He left in September 1938 with his wife Lotte (nee Kaufmann). They arrived in Sydney in November 1938 on the RMS Orion. Their son, John, was born in 1940.
Kurt’s father died before the youngest child was born (date unknown) and his mother committed suicide before she could be deported. Lotte’s parents, Jacob and Wilhelmina Kaufmann, were deported from Germany to Theresienstadt in July 1942, and on 21 September 1942 they were deported to Treblinka death camp where they were murdered.
In Sydney, Kurt worked in a photographic business (he was in the scrap metal business in Germany). He and his wife were regarded as ‘enemy aliens’, but it was not long before Kurt joined the Australian army, loading and unloading ships. Later he became an agent selling goods for a manufacturer.
Production date 1942-07-21
Object nameRed Cross message service
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 137.00 mm
height: 210.00 mm
Language
- German GERMAN RED CROSS
Headquarters / Foreign Service
Berlin SW61, Blücherplatz 2 21 July, 1942 376323
REQUEST
International Committee for the passing on of messages
1. Sender Jacob Kaufmann, Wuppertal-Elberfeld
Garten Street 24
Requests sending to
2. Recipient Kurt Lilienfeld, Flat 8, Chatsworth, Manion Avenue, Rose Bay, Sydney Australia
(max 25 words)
On the 20th of July we are “moving” (relocate) to Theresienstadt (Terezín). Hopefully we will see each other again. God’s blessing for you. Carry on living in our spirit. Dearest regards and kisses
(?) Mother
Date 16 July 1942
Signature 7 August 1942
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Dr. John Lilienfeld