Object numberM2011/028:003
DescriptionRed Cross message dated 22 June 1942 sent by John (Hans) Gruschka in Manchester, England to his mother, Helene Gruschka in Prague. In the message, not exceeding 25 words, John writes that he is sorry about her uncertain position (her mother is ill). He tells her she must ‘not lose hopes for better times’. He is currently on vacation and going camping soon. Helene's reply to Hans on the reverse, dated 3 September 1942, is her last letter to her son. She writes, "Dear Hansi! Unfortunately departing tomorrow. Lots of kisses. Mother."
This correspondence forms part of a collection of nineteen Red Cross messages sent during 1940-1943 between the donor John Gruschka (Hans Gruschka) and his parents Theodor and Helene. The Gruschka family came from the town of Aussig in Czechoslovakia but they were forced to separate during the war to escape the Nazi threat. In 1939, 15-year-old Hans was sent to Manchester in England to distant relatives, the Meeks, 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 had to remain 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 was murdered at the age of 53.
This correspondence forms part of a collection of nineteen Red Cross messages sent during 1940-1943 between the donor John Gruschka (Hans Gruschka) and his parents Theodor and Helene. The Gruschka family came from the town of Aussig in Czechoslovakia but they were forced to separate during the war to escape the Nazi threat. In 1939, 15-year-old Hans was sent to Manchester in England to distant relatives, the Meeks, 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 had to remain 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 was murdered at the age of 53.
Production placeManchester, England, Prague, Czech Republic
Production date 1942-06-22 - 1942-09-03
Subjectloved ones' contact, loved ones' final contacts, signs of life, Theresienstadt ghetto, concentration camps, deportation
Object nameRed Cross message service
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 150.00 mm
height: 225.00 mm
Language
- German Sender: John (Hans) Gruschka
Recipient: Helene Gruschka, 57 Vaclavske Namesti
Prague, (Protectorat Bohemia-Moravia)
Very sorry about your uncertain position. Just don’t lose hope for better times. Am now on vacation and soon going camping. Many kisses, your
Hans Gruschka (signed).
22.06.1942
German Dear Hansi Unfortunately departing tomorrow. Lots of kisses Mother (signed). Prag, 3 September 1942
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr John Gruschka