Object numberM2011/034:002
DescriptionLetter dated 11 November 1937 sent to Jurgen Steuerwald in England, from his mother in Hannover. Jurgen's mother writes that she is happy he enjoyed the trip to Sandwich (a small town in Kent, England where Jurgen's boarding school is). She wants to hear all about his school friends. She misses him but it is good he is in England and she philosophises that there are duties in life that one must fulfill, then play and recreation will follow. She writes that Jurgen will soon be 14 and he has to study to be a capable adult. She mentions Gerhard (Jurgen's brother) living in Australia, and that Frau Marie has written to her about Jurgen’s schooling.
His uncle also reminds him to write to his mother at once, as she is very worried about him.
This letter forms part of a collection of 40 letters and postcards dating from the 1930’s that were sent to Jurgen Steuerwald in England, from his mother, living in Germany and his brother Gerhard, living in Australia. The contrast between the descriptions of life in Australia and England where the two brothers live in safety, and of the fear and danger borne by their mother living in Germany provide a striking contrast.
His uncle also reminds him to write to his mother at once, as she is very worried about him.
This letter forms part of a collection of 40 letters and postcards dating from the 1930’s that were sent to Jurgen Steuerwald in England, from his mother, living in Germany and his brother Gerhard, living in Australia. The contrast between the descriptions of life in Australia and England where the two brothers live in safety, and of the fear and danger borne by their mother living in Germany provide a striking contrast.
Production placeHannover, Germany, England
Production date 1937-11-11
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- length: 290.00 mm
width: 180.00 mm
Language
- German My dear Jürgen!
Your detailed travel report made us all very happy. I am glad that you saw a lot along the way and that Aunt Berta and everybody else were nice to you. Also the message about your happy arrival in Sandwich made me very joyful. I would be very happy about a detailed report about the local school, how you like it there, what you do during the day and if you made friends with the local boys. How often I think of you during the day and I wonder what my dear Jürgen might start. I miss you here a lot, but it is nice for you that you are in England. I really hope that you are hardworking and that you make every effort possible to learn the language very soon and to accomplish your tasks. Life firstly consists of duties. Once you fulfil these, games and rest will follow. Don’t overlook these words, my dear Jürgen. You will be 14 years old soon and you have to bring to your mind that you must learn and do things over there so that later you will become a capable person and they will never regret over there for accepting you at the local school. We are doing fairly well. I started doing a bit of light housework. I cannot do a lot yet. Little by little. I have not yet again seen your peers. We had another long letter from Gerhard, who reports a lot of interesting things. He has got enough to do to live of it. Hopefully it will continue to stay favourable/cheap for him. Miss Marie also wrote in detail about your get-together and the local school. I really hope to hear from yourself detailed messages, you can imagine how I wait for your messages. Also tell me how you are doing healthwise? Is your equipment properly chosen?
Dearest regards and a dear kiss
Your mother.
My dear Jürgen! Have you received our cards? Mother is worried about you… (?)
(these lines are hardly legible.)
My dear Jürgen!
Why don’t you write, you little rascal? I nevertheless hope that you are well and that you accustom over there. – We are all well – please write at once in great detail, you know how worried your mother is about you and that she was sick and desperately needs to have regular messages from you. Mother is doing better – But be good and write at once.
Dearest regards,
Yours Uncle Ernst.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Jean Stewart