Abram Wolraich collection

Identifier
WL2165
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 111797
Level of Description
Collection
Languages
  • English
Source
EHRI Partner

Biographical History

Abram, later Alf, Wolraich was born on 18 June 1928 in Piotrkow, Poland. His father, Szyja, a dance teacher and drummer, worked in the Hortensia glass factory after the Nazi invasion of Poland; Abram joined him at the age of about 14. Abram narrowly escaped being deported to Treblinka with his mother, sister and younger brother. In 1944, as the Red Army invaded Poland, he and Szyja were sent to Buchenwald, where he was separated from his father.

After the war, Abram joined a transport of children from Czechoslovakia to Britain, lying about his age to become eligible. He spent some time with his great aunt Miriam Lefkowitz, who ran a guest house in Bournemouth.

Abram’s father had also survived Buchenwald; he had been assigned to a band on account of his musical abilities. He found himself in a displaced persons camp in Landsberg. He remarried and had a daughter, Hannah. He was able to contact Abram in August 1947; they met in Germany in March 1948.

Abram’s father immigrated to Israel in 1949. Abram planned to join him, but settled in the UK after marrying Gertie, who had also survived the Holocaust.

Acquisition

Donated 7.9.2018

Donor: Lorraine Gerrard

Scope and Content

The collection consists of 5 pdfs containing 251 pages of documents and correspondence with and on Abram Wolraich regarding his care after arriving in Britain, as well as a presentation for schools on Abram’s life.

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Digital file

Subjects

Places

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.