An exhibition of testimonies from men and women who fled to Scotland from Nazi-occupied Europe has gone on display at the University of Dundee. The Gathering The Voices exhibition features more than 40 moving stories of refugees from Second World War Europe, and was on display at the university’s Chaplaincy Centre Rev Michael Allardice (pictured), … Read more
Bob talks about the reasons he sees himself as Scottish and reflects on his good fortune in life. INT: You sound so much like just an average Scots person, you really do. Do you think of yourself at all as German anymore? BM: No INT: Not at all? BM: Not a bit. INT: When did … Read more
Bob describes his new family, the Mackenzies, and their efforts to get his parents out of Germany. BM: Mr Mackenzie’s house consisted of the main house and a small attached cottage. The Mackenzie family were made up of Granny Mackenzie, Mr Mackenzie (a widower) and three daughters; Agnes, Janet and Jessie. The family lived in … Read more
Dorrit describes starting work and meeting her future husband. She goes on to tell about us about living in Dundee and having her family. She shares how other members of her family settled in America and Canada. Finally we learn about how she came to write her book “In My Pocket” and about her involvement … Read more
Dorrith describes coming to Scotland in 1939, settling in with a family in Edinburgh and being an evacuee in Innerleithen near Peebles. Read the Transcript. INT: And you came to Scotland when? D.S: I arrived in England on the 26th of July 1939. My parents had managed to get guardians for me and they met … Read more
Dorrit describes the events surrounding Kristallnacht and the Kindertransport. Read the Transcript. INT: Good afternoon Dorrith. It’s the 26th of September 2010 and I’m here to talk to Dorrith Sim. Dorrith, could you begin by telling us when and where you were born and what was your name at birth? D.S: I was born in … Read more
NT: If you look back now on your time here in Scotland what would you say were the high points of your life here? DB: That’s very difficult to say. INT: Your family I assume? DB: Yes I think…I don’t think I can really say. INT: Right. DB: I mean I suppose it was my time as a social worker I … Read more
Dorothea travelled with her husband who worked for the British Council. She lived for a time in Otto Hahn’s house (he received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1944) INT: And he was still working with the British Council? DB: He was still with the British Council. He had a very good job, he was Director of … Read more
Dorothea arrived in Britain as a young bride. She moved in with her parents in law in Glasgow. INT: And were you excited to be going to Britain? DB: Well yes I was glad. INT: Or were you worried about it? DB: Well sure I was worried because I didn’t have a clue what was going on and Donald … Read more
Dorothea met her husband Donald who worked for the British Consul. They married on VE Day. Her parents were helped by Kissinger’s family to emigrate to America. Dorothea also explain what happened to her brother and her journey to Britain. INT: And did he [ Her father] remain there and your mother, for the rest of … Read more