Object numberM1992/015:005
DescriptionDisplaced Persons Index Card issued to Ilona Reichman(n), by the Allied Expeditionary Force at Bergen-Belsen DP camp on 7 July 1945. The reverse advises: "Keep this card at all times to assist your safe return home. The Registration Number and your name identify you and your Registration Record."
Ilona was born 12 December 1929. She died 22 November 2018. She was born in Uzhhorod, Czechoslovakia into an orthodox Jewish family and was one of ten children. After the Germans occupation of Hungary, they were forcibly moved into one of the two established ghettos, sometime in April 1944. The family were deported to Auschwitz in May 1944. Most of the family perished there. Ilona was 14 years-old. Left alone and bereft.
After spending 6 to 8 harrowing weeks in Auschwitz, she and a large group of girls were transported to Hamburg, Germany. They were used as slave labour to clear rubble from the incessant Allied bombing of German cities. The work was not only back-breaking but also highly dangerous, as they were used also to scout for undetonated bombs.
From there they were transported to Bergen-Belsen—a living graveyard composed of starved and seriously ill prisoners. She had no recollection when British forces liberated the camp as she was too ill with typhus and dysentery. She was eventually sent to Sweden to recuperate. She was reunited with two of her sisters—Edith and Eva. Ilona chose to emigrate to Australia arriving on Australia Day—25 January 1951. She married Fred Blair on 20th May 1954, exactly ten years to the day that she was deported to Auschwitz.
Ilona was born 12 December 1929. She died 22 November 2018. She was born in Uzhhorod, Czechoslovakia into an orthodox Jewish family and was one of ten children. After the Germans occupation of Hungary, they were forcibly moved into one of the two established ghettos, sometime in April 1944. The family were deported to Auschwitz in May 1944. Most of the family perished there. Ilona was 14 years-old. Left alone and bereft.
After spending 6 to 8 harrowing weeks in Auschwitz, she and a large group of girls were transported to Hamburg, Germany. They were used as slave labour to clear rubble from the incessant Allied bombing of German cities. The work was not only back-breaking but also highly dangerous, as they were used also to scout for undetonated bombs.
From there they were transported to Bergen-Belsen—a living graveyard composed of starved and seriously ill prisoners. She had no recollection when British forces liberated the camp as she was too ill with typhus and dysentery. She was eventually sent to Sweden to recuperate. She was reunited with two of her sisters—Edith and Eva. Ilona chose to emigrate to Australia arriving on Australia Day—25 January 1951. She married Fred Blair on 20th May 1954, exactly ten years to the day that she was deported to Auschwitz.
Production placeBergen-Belsen concentration camp
Production date 1945-07-07
Object namerepatriation documents
Materialpaper
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Ilona Blair