Object numberM2011/028:020
DescriptionTelegram sent to Theodor Gruschka living in Rothschild St Tel Aviv from the Jewish Community in Prague. The telegraph states that his wife Helene was deported to Poland in February 1943.
The telegram forms part of collection of correspondence including 19 Red Cross messages written during 1940-1943 between John (Hans) Gruschka and his parents Theodor and Helene Gruschka. The Gruschka family came from the town of Aussig in Czechoslovakia; they were forced to separate during the war to escape the Nazi threat. In 1939, 15 year old John was sent to Manchester, England. He loved with distant relatives (the Meeks) and received an education, qualifying as an industrial chemist. Theodor, a Professor of medicine, 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 was murdered at the age of 53.
The telegram forms part of collection of correspondence including 19 Red Cross messages written during 1940-1943 between John (Hans) Gruschka and his parents Theodor and Helene Gruschka. The Gruschka family came from the town of Aussig in Czechoslovakia; they were forced to separate during the war to escape the Nazi threat. In 1939, 15 year old John was sent to Manchester, England. He loved with distant relatives (the Meeks) and received an education, qualifying as an industrial chemist. Theodor, a Professor of medicine, 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 was murdered at the age of 53.
Production placePalestine
Production date 1943
SubjectPalestine
Object nameofficial correspondence
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 183.00 mm
height: 163.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr John Gruschka