Object numberM1995/024:007
DescriptionBritish Red Cross message dated 16 March 1942, one of the many letters of correspondence relating to Zigmund (Zygmunt) Schweizer's search for news of his family - from 1942 until 1970, when he finally gave up; he never found out what happened to his father and sisters. Typed, in English, from the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem in regards to enquires made about missing family members Rachmiel Schweizer etc. The letter directs Zygmunt, who is interned on the Isle of Man, to fill out a standard form and return it as soon as possible.
Part of a collection of 31 letters, postcards and Red Cross messages donated by Norbert and Sonja Schweizer.
Norbert’s mother, Rosy Schweizer, born Berlin 1908, died Sydney 1993. Her parents were Nathan and Elsbeth Graetz. Rosy had two brothers - Hans and Alfred. Hans died before the war. Alfred married Bella; their daughter Gitta was born October 1939. Bella died a few days after from birth complications.
Rosy married Martin Levy c. 1938, aged 30. The marriage may have been arranged so that they could get out of Germany as a couple. In 1938 they left Berlin for England, staying with Marion and C. Hoyle, who had helped arrange their visas. They were hoping to arrange visas for Rosy's parents, but, after Kristallnacht, realised it would be almost impossible. Around late 1941, Rosy and Martin seperated. Rosy’s parents were deported to Theresienstadt; she corresponded with them via the Red Cross messaging service until letters started being ‘returned to sender’. Nathan died of a heart attack in Theresienstadt and Elsbeth died of dysentry.
Norbert’s father, Zigmund Schweizer, born Berlin 1912, died Sydney 1987. His parents were Richard and Else. Zigmund had two sisters Bertha and Gisela. Zigmund, politically active, was jailed in 1932-33 at age 21. Shortly after he left Germany and went to Rome, where he worked as a waiter. In 1938 he left for Tangiers where he ran nightclubs. He then went to Gibraltar, and from there to England, but was interned on the Isle of Man from March 1942 until August 1944. From there he went to London where he met Rosy (around 1944-45). Norbert was born in November 1948. In 1949 Martin (Rosy’s first husband) left for Canada but died on the boat, leaving Norbert's parents free to marry (circa 1949).
Zigmund’s health was poor and he was advised to go to a more sunny climate. They arrived in Australia January 1952. Zigmund established a restaurant called Sid’s. Zigmund's mother had committed suicide in 1939 (the S.S. came to her building looking for someone she didn't want to betray so she jumped off the building). Zigmund kept searching for information about his father and sisters up until 1970, when he finally gave up. He never found out what happened to them.
Part of a collection of 31 letters, postcards and Red Cross messages donated by Norbert and Sonja Schweizer.
Norbert’s mother, Rosy Schweizer, born Berlin 1908, died Sydney 1993. Her parents were Nathan and Elsbeth Graetz. Rosy had two brothers - Hans and Alfred. Hans died before the war. Alfred married Bella; their daughter Gitta was born October 1939. Bella died a few days after from birth complications.
Rosy married Martin Levy c. 1938, aged 30. The marriage may have been arranged so that they could get out of Germany as a couple. In 1938 they left Berlin for England, staying with Marion and C. Hoyle, who had helped arrange their visas. They were hoping to arrange visas for Rosy's parents, but, after Kristallnacht, realised it would be almost impossible. Around late 1941, Rosy and Martin seperated. Rosy’s parents were deported to Theresienstadt; she corresponded with them via the Red Cross messaging service until letters started being ‘returned to sender’. Nathan died of a heart attack in Theresienstadt and Elsbeth died of dysentry.
Norbert’s father, Zigmund Schweizer, born Berlin 1912, died Sydney 1987. His parents were Richard and Else. Zigmund had two sisters Bertha and Gisela. Zigmund, politically active, was jailed in 1932-33 at age 21. Shortly after he left Germany and went to Rome, where he worked as a waiter. In 1938 he left for Tangiers where he ran nightclubs. He then went to Gibraltar, and from there to England, but was interned on the Isle of Man from March 1942 until August 1944. From there he went to London where he met Rosy (around 1944-45). Norbert was born in November 1948. In 1949 Martin (Rosy’s first husband) left for Canada but died on the boat, leaving Norbert's parents free to marry (circa 1949).
Zigmund’s health was poor and he was advised to go to a more sunny climate. They arrived in Australia January 1952. Zigmund established a restaurant called Sid’s. Zigmund's mother had committed suicide in 1939 (the S.S. came to her building looking for someone she didn't want to betray so she jumped off the building). Zigmund kept searching for information about his father and sisters up until 1970, when he finally gave up. He never found out what happened to them.
Production placeLondon, England
Production date 1942-03-16
Subjecttracing loved ones, Red Cross
Object nameofficial correspondence
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 126.00 mm
height: 203.00 mm
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Norbert and Sonja Schweizer