Object numberM2015/004:005
CreatorRed Cross
DescriptionLetter from the Red Cross Bureau for Wounded, Missing and Prisoners of War addressed to Leonard Oppenheim in Sydney, Australia, dated 24th March 1942 and signed by hon. director B.R. Riley.
Leonard Aron Oppenheim was the first husband of Leonie Hirschberg who later became Leonie Hilton. Leonie left Berlin in 1938 in order to escape the Nazi regime. They met and got married in Singapore. Leonard Aron Oppenheim was born in Harbin, Russia, of Jewish origin. He was an engineer and architect in Singapore which was controlled by Britain. When war started he joined the British Volunteer Corps. The Japanese conquered Singapore in February 1942. Leonie was evacuated and ended up in Sydney. Leonard was captured and put to work. He became a prisoner (N° 13753) of war and was moved from Singapore to a camp in Kuching, Sarawak, on the island of Borneo in March 1943. There Leonard died in 1945. The cause of his death was officially given as malaria and beriberi.
Between 1942 and 1945, Leonie and Leonard managed to make contact in an exchange of telegrams, letters, postcards and broadcast messages.
This letter refers to an enquiry, which must have been made by Leonie Oppenheim, telling that the position with regard to personnel in Malaya and Singapore was at that moment obscure and there was no communication with these countries as they were entirely in the hands of the Japanese. In addition – and primarily – it tells about an announcement by Japan, published in the “Sydney Morning Herald” on 20th February, that to the Genova War Prisoners Convention all necessary food and clothing will be allowed to reach members of the Fighting Forces or Interned Civilians in Japanese hands.
Leonard Aron Oppenheim was the first husband of Leonie Hirschberg who later became Leonie Hilton. Leonie left Berlin in 1938 in order to escape the Nazi regime. They met and got married in Singapore. Leonard Aron Oppenheim was born in Harbin, Russia, of Jewish origin. He was an engineer and architect in Singapore which was controlled by Britain. When war started he joined the British Volunteer Corps. The Japanese conquered Singapore in February 1942. Leonie was evacuated and ended up in Sydney. Leonard was captured and put to work. He became a prisoner (N° 13753) of war and was moved from Singapore to a camp in Kuching, Sarawak, on the island of Borneo in March 1943. There Leonard died in 1945. The cause of his death was officially given as malaria and beriberi.
Between 1942 and 1945, Leonie and Leonard managed to make contact in an exchange of telegrams, letters, postcards and broadcast messages.
This letter refers to an enquiry, which must have been made by Leonie Oppenheim, telling that the position with regard to personnel in Malaya and Singapore was at that moment obscure and there was no communication with these countries as they were entirely in the hands of the Japanese. In addition – and primarily – it tells about an announcement by Japan, published in the “Sydney Morning Herald” on 20th February, that to the Genova War Prisoners Convention all necessary food and clothing will be allowed to reach members of the Fighting Forces or Interned Civilians in Japanese hands.
Production placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Production date
SubjectHolocaust, survivors, Jews in Australia, loved ones' contact, Japanese occupation, prisoners of war, Red Cross
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- width: 210.00 mm
height: 265.00 mm
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Jeffrey Hilton