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[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]M2009/038:011
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]Four sided (A4 folded) Handwritten letter written by Wilhelm Schnek to his wife and child, November 1939, signed Willy. Each word about his daughter is "marvellous to hear". He writes that he is "...an ugly old man. I have got no more hair. I am getting bald and grey and I have a lot of freckles. I feel sorry for myself. I don't know whether you will want to have me back." "I'm only talking about myself and you don't tell me about yourself. I am a good boy by writing these little details to cover up the heavy burden that is upon us. Again a lot of kisses and I am thinking of you and long for the time when we will see each other again."
Part of a collection of documents and letters spanning pre-war life in Austria, war-time survival experiences and immigration to Australia. The collection includes a Notice of Arrest, a Deutsches Reich Passport stamped with a 'J', censored postcards, food and clothing ration cards, letters written by Wilhelm Schnek to his wife Ada during the time they were separated, and a photograph of Marion Schnek, arriving on the RMS Strathnaver ocean liner on 24 March 1959, illustrated in the Daily Telegraph. One of the letter's in the collection is from Ada's half-brother Louis Kalmus, in which he writes that a letter to their mother, Mina Kallei, came back unopened with the comment, "addressee on a journey or has travelled to Poland". Mina had been deported on 3 December 1941 from Vienna to Riga, "...there is little hope we will hear from them again."
Marion Schnek (mother of donor) was born in Vienna in 1936 to Ada and Wilhelm Schnek. She and her mother escaped one night for France. They were put in prison - "with murderers". She was later in an orphanage and then a castle in France with other children.
Marion's father left Vienna in July 1939 for France; he was held in Bordeaux, then joined the French Foreign Legion and later the British Army where he became an interpreter. After the war, the family moved to London to join him and Marion went to a Catholic school. Her father died circa 1956 when she was 20. In 1959, Marion decided to immigrate to Australia, coming as a '10 Pound Pom'. She met her husband on the boat.
Marion's mother, Ada, born in Lemberg in 1905, was naturalised in Austria in 1933. She worked as a Dental Assistant, but lost her position because of racial persecution. In April 1940, Ada left Vienna with her daughter and was interned in Nice, France. From there she was sent to Marseille and from there, without grounds until 14 July 1940, held in prison. From 14 July 1940, she was held in Hotel Bompard in Marseille, where she remained until August 1942. From there she was deported to Camp De Les Milles on 24 November 1942 and from 25 November 1942 to Camp de Gurs. Later, she was held in Chateaux le Roc and then Chateaux de Goudeau. After the war, in May 1946 she left to join her husband in London. After he died, she got remarried to a German Jew. In 1963, Ada migrated to Sydney to join her daughter; they opened an Austrian restaurant in Double Bay.
Part of a collection of documents and letters spanning pre-war life in Austria, war-time survival experiences and immigration to Australia. The collection includes a Notice of Arrest, a Deutsches Reich Passport stamped with a 'J', censored postcards, food and clothing ration cards, letters written by Wilhelm Schnek to his wife Ada during the time they were separated, and a photograph of Marion Schnek, arriving on the RMS Strathnaver ocean liner on 24 March 1959, illustrated in the Daily Telegraph. One of the letter's in the collection is from Ada's half-brother Louis Kalmus, in which he writes that a letter to their mother, Mina Kallei, came back unopened with the comment, "addressee on a journey or has travelled to Poland". Mina had been deported on 3 December 1941 from Vienna to Riga, "...there is little hope we will hear from them again."
Marion Schnek (mother of donor) was born in Vienna in 1936 to Ada and Wilhelm Schnek. She and her mother escaped one night for France. They were put in prison - "with murderers". She was later in an orphanage and then a castle in France with other children.
Marion's father left Vienna in July 1939 for France; he was held in Bordeaux, then joined the French Foreign Legion and later the British Army where he became an interpreter. After the war, the family moved to London to join him and Marion went to a Catholic school. Her father died circa 1956 when she was 20. In 1959, Marion decided to immigrate to Australia, coming as a '10 Pound Pom'. She met her husband on the boat.
Marion's mother, Ada, born in Lemberg in 1905, was naturalised in Austria in 1933. She worked as a Dental Assistant, but lost her position because of racial persecution. In April 1940, Ada left Vienna with her daughter and was interned in Nice, France. From there she was sent to Marseille and from there, without grounds until 14 July 1940, held in prison. From 14 July 1940, she was held in Hotel Bompard in Marseille, where she remained until August 1942. From there she was deported to Camp De Les Milles on 24 November 1942 and from 25 November 1942 to Camp de Gurs. Later, she was held in Chateaux le Roc and then Chateaux de Goudeau. After the war, in May 1946 she left to join her husband in London. After he died, she got remarried to a German Jew. In 1963, Ada migrated to Sydney to join her daughter; they opened an Austrian restaurant in Double Bay.
[nb-NO]Date[nb-NO] 1939
[nb-NO]Subject[nb-NO]loved ones' contact, separation
[nb-NO]Object name[nb-NO]letters
[nb-NO]Material[nb-NO]paper
[nb-NO]Dimensions[nb-NO]
- width: 270.00 mm
height: 215.00 mm
[nb-NO]Language[nb-NO]
- German circa November 1939
Dear Ada & Marion (i.e. to his wife and daughter)
You cannot imagine what a festival it was to hear from you and how glad I am to hear that you are managing. Each word about my girl is marvellous to hear – that she is developing and she has talent. I am glad that she still knows she has a papa.
You changed your flat because the Mrs Richter’s wasn’t very healthy. Make sure your health doesn’t suffer. I congratulate you for your honorary position as a non-religious sister and perhaps you might with time get a tip.
It will take a long time to see whether we get those things back and I am pessimistic because these things take so long.
I got a letter from Flochi. Could you find a nickname for Marion different from Flochi? It’s a name for children and one can easily find another name. Now I am sorry to make this comment to you.
Someone died victoriously. I just found out from Mamma through a letter. I was deeply shocked to hear that he died. I accept your attitude. When you see Paula tell her I have found out from Gustav that he died and I am sending my condolences. I do know what she has lost. I found out only 5 days ago and last night strangely I dreamt about him. If there is a lottery here I should have played.
You ask how I am doing. Under the circumstances I am OK. I have to look after my clothing. I don’t wear the trench coat anymore because I don’t have it. I am still about 90kg.
I can see you lost weight which befits you. I hope your nerves will recover. Otherwise I am an ugly old man. I have got no more hair. I am getting bald and grey and I have a lot of freckles. I feel sorry for myself. I don’t know whether you will want to have me back. It looks like you have many brave relatives looking after you and Marion, including Neumann and Richter. Hopefully I can pay them back one day at a later stage, although I am not thinking about what happens later. At the present I cannot reorient myself. With all probability I will stay here. I do not want to bother my head with worries. I think a lot of people are very exhausted. I think I have written in much detail.
Send my regards to all our relatives and acquaintances, to my dear cousins Dora, Toni and Fritz.
Kalman’s actions are not great but there is nothing I can do about it. I am in contact with Mamma and Wiki (i.e. Louis Kalmus). I have not heard from Manich (Ada’s Uncle, Mamma’s brother went to England) for a long time.
I hope you are well. In my mind I greet you and I am kissing you as often as you wish. Also kiss Marion for me and tell her always of me. You don’t write to me about whether she behaves well. Please be patient and educate her without hitting her.
I’m only talking about myself and you don’t tell me about yourself. I am a good boy by writing these little details to cover up the heavy burden that is upon us. Again a lot of kisses and I am thinking of you and long for the time when we will see each other again.
Willy.
[nb-NO]Credit line[nb-NO]Sydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Cassia Partane