Object numberM2011/034:013
DescriptionTwo page letter dated 14 December 1938 sent from Gerhard Steuerwald in North Sydney to his brother Jurgen, living in England. Gerhard wishes his brother a Happy Birthday and a Merry Christmas. He informs Jurgen of sad news: Uncle Ernst has had a breakdown and died from pneumonia in a sanatorium - being so distressed about the Nazi persecution. Uncle Adolf committed suicide by shooting himself because he could not watch the Nazi tyranny. Gerhard warns Jurgen to: ‘never forget... all letters are censored and your mother will be punished when you repeat anything that I write to you.’ He is worried about their mother and grandmother not getting out of Germany in time, and he hopes they will come to Australia.
It is interesting to compare this letter with M2011/034:014, Jurgen's mother is so limited in what she can write: she only briefly mentions a 'sad event'.
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, the majority, 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.
It is interesting to compare this letter with M2011/034:014, Jurgen's mother is so limited in what she can write: she only briefly mentions a 'sad event'.
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, the majority, 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 placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia, England
Production date 1938-12-14
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- a length: 133.00 mm
a width: 210.00 mm
b length: 133.00 mm
b width: 210.00 mm
Language
- German Dear Jurgen,
Happy Birthday and best wishes for Christmas as well, may you have luck and success.
And now something sad – have you already heard that our dear uncle Ernst died in a sanatorium. He was so distressed about the persecution that he completely broke down. Together with severe Pneumonia. You may know that Uncle Adolf shot himself some months ago because he too, could not watch the Nazi Tyranny now uncle Ernst is the second victim. Never forget that Uncle Ernst died because the Nazis are responsible for his death. Never forget the all letters are censored and you mother will be punished when you repeat anything that I write to you. It is so unbelievably sad that I write to you. I hope that your mother and grandmother will come to Australia next year. Mother asked me to send you money at this Moment. I have nothing to send you. Did you ask her? When I learn more I shall send you some.
Greetings from you brother Gerhard.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Jean Stewart