Men's Dormitory at the Peninsula Hotel
Object numberM2017/043:031
TitleMen's Dormitory at the Peninsula Hotel
DescriptionPhoto of the men’s dormitory in the Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong. Taken in 1946 by Edgar Boehm. The Boehm family were Jewish refugees from Breslau, Germany. In 1939, Edgar and Irene Boehm, along with Irene’s mother and brother, Sylvia and Rudi Rothholz, immigrated to Shanghai, China. Six months after arriving, Sylvia died of breast cancer. In 1940, Irene and Edgar’s daughter Dorrit (also the donor of the collection) was born. The family lived in the Hongkew Ghetto, where Edgar worked as a waiter. After the war in 1946, the family immigrated to Australia.
After the end of the war in 1945, many refugees en route to Australia spent up to a year in transit in Hong Kong while travel arrangements were made. With a shortage of space, the Jewish families were set up in the Peninsula Hotel, a grand hotel and symbol of British Imperialism. Dormitories were set up in the public spaces, with the men’s dorm in the grand ballroom, which is pictured in the photo. An article from Melbourne newspaper, The Argus, describes the situation as “a serious embarrassment to the Hong Kong government and a source of irritation to high society dance patrons.” (The Argus, 3rd September, 1946, page 3)
After the end of the war in 1945, many refugees en route to Australia spent up to a year in transit in Hong Kong while travel arrangements were made. With a shortage of space, the Jewish families were set up in the Peninsula Hotel, a grand hotel and symbol of British Imperialism. Dormitories were set up in the public spaces, with the men’s dorm in the grand ballroom, which is pictured in the photo. An article from Melbourne newspaper, The Argus, describes the situation as “a serious embarrassment to the Hong Kong government and a source of irritation to high society dance patrons.” (The Argus, 3rd September, 1946, page 3)
Production placeHong Kong
Production date 1946 - 1946
Subjectrefugee experiences, immigration
Object namephotographs
Materialpaper
Techniquephotography
Dimensions
- width: 57.00 mm
length: 57.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Dorrit Mahemoff