Object numberM2011/028:002
DescriptionRed Cross message dated 7 January 1942 sent by John (Hans) Gruschka, in Manchester, England to his mother, Helene Gruschka in Prague. In the message John writes that he hears regularly from his father and sister living in Palestine and they are well. A reply dated 23 January 1942, is handwritten on the back of this letter. Helene states that she is well but troubled. John's Grandfather has a broken leg and is in hospital and his Grandmother is suffering badly (with illness).
This correspondence forms part of a collection of nineteen Red Cross messages sent during 1940-1943 between John and his parents Theodor and Helene Gruschka. The Gruschka family came from the town of Aussig in Czechoslovakia but they were forced to seperate during the war to escape the Nazi threat. In 1939 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 correspondence forms part of a collection of nineteen Red Cross messages sent during 1940-1943 between John and his parents Theodor and Helene Gruschka. The Gruschka family came from the town of Aussig in Czechoslovakia but they were forced to seperate during the war to escape the Nazi threat. In 1939 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.
Production placeManchester, England, Prague, Czech Republic
Production date 1942-01-07 - 1942-01-23
Subjectloved ones' contact, families
Object nameRed Cross message service
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 150.00 mm
height: 225.00 mm
Language
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr John Gruschka