Testimonies

The images below are scans of the last letters exchanged between Pat Anson (Beate Einstein) and her parents Isak and Ida. You can click on each image to view an enlarged version.

The English translation for each letter is included below.

On 11TH December 1942 Beate writes;

Beloved Parents,

It has been some time since we last heard from you.
I had a nice birthday – Justin Burger got married.
Have you any news from our loved ones.

Stay well,
Tender Kisses,

Beate

Beate’s parents respond – undated letter, but date of Deportation is confirmed as 8th March 1943

Beloved Child,

Today we migrate/leave (code for deported) with great trust in God.
Keep close bonds with each other.
We wish Erich (Beate’s boyfriend) all the best for the future.
Write to the (our neighbours) the Pols next time.

We hug you lovingly,

Isak and Ida

Beate writes to the neighbours the Pohl’s (no date)

My dear,

We are all healthy
Have you any news about Ida and Isak
Best greeting and best wishes from me
Kind regards,

Beate

Regina Pohl replies on 27th September 1943

Your parent, Uncle and Aunt have gone away on holiday (code for deported)
Give Hilde and Liesel my best wishes,

Regina Pohl

The Red Cross letter confirming the tragic news of Beate’s parents death at Auschwitz.

Gerda Fulton – Biography

Biography by Gerda’s son: Ian Fulton.

Gerda was born in Beuthen, Upper Silesia, Germany, the eldest of three siblings, to Sally & Meta Grunewald.

In January 1939, as a consequence of the Nazi persecution of the Jews during the Third Reich era, she was forced to flee the Country arriving in the UK. Her two siblings were also forced to flee, her young brother coming to the UK via Kindertransport. Unfortunately, her parents were not so fortunate. They were transported to Auschwitz whence they perished.

Gerda was subsequently dispersed, by the Jewish Committee, to Glasgow where she stayed the remainder of her life. In March 1941, she married the German Jewish Refugee Kurt (Charles) Fulton at South Portland Street Synagogue in the Gorbals. The couple thereafter had a son, Ian Fulton, their only child.

She was actively involved in the Scottish Refugee Centre in Sauchiehall Street (“The House on the Hill”) making life-long friends with the European refugees many of whom went on to have distinguished careers in the Arts, Sciences, Economics.

She was politically active as a committed Socialist given her life experiences. For most of her working life, she was employed by the iconic Glasgow gents outfitting firm of Slaters, at their factories in Wilson Street & Cathedral Street.

Subsequent to her retirement, she would be invited to various schools in Scotland where she recounted her personal experiences of persecution under the Nazi Regime and her consequential staunch opposition to any form of racism.

Gerda Fulton