Genealogy Chat

Denis I agree absolutely with what you are saying. The past is a different country, I know that, but it still doesn't stop me feeling shocked and ashamed of what went on here, even though I cannot change the past. OC

OC I'm the first to accept that there are many viewpoints on such emotive subjects but at the same time genuinely but respectfully surprised at this particular take on the subject. Certainly food for thought but I would not wish to intrude too much on this lady's desire for further information which I suspect is retrievable. You mention some Polish issues. An interesting period. There are some strong views there. I don't know exactly how ' O ' you are but you may recall that when the UK set up the Polish Resettlement Corps for those soldiers who could not return to what had become a communist regime the unions moved heaven and earth to ensure that none of these people took up jobs that could be filled by their members. Doesn't sound so bad (and we hear it again now) but it was more the manner in which this campaign was conducted. Many, many Poles had to find work in less unionised areas and rural empoyment attracted many. Difficult times, difficult solutions, rarely perfect, many viewpoints. Denis.

Denis I understand what Paul is saying and I agree with him in many ways. I think he is saying that although the British Authorities did not officially consider Jewish refugees as enemy aliens BECAUSE of their Jewishness, that those same authorities did nothing to prevent the horrific treatment of the Jews by Hitler. And I do share his feeling of a sort of national guilt over this. However, we have got off the topic of this thread! Polish refugees, of whom there were many in this country during WW2 were sent to camps, many in rural areas, and many of them became farm workers etc. I am aware that there was a large camp in Devon somewhere, which is still there today and is still occupied by Polish people. It is no longer called a camp, of course, but the Polish community are still there, and many elderly Polish people with no family ties, go there to retire. I think that most of the Internees in this country started in camps, but were cautiously released into the community to work. OC

Hi Paul I think you may have misunderstood what was being said. It's true a majority of the aliens taken to the Isle of Man were Jewish but that was only because they were enemy nationals. There had been such an influx of Jews fleeing from Nazi oppression in the years leading up to the war that it was inevitable that they would form the bulk of the aliens. The UK was under threat at that time and difficult decisions had to be taken quickly. Most were released during the war and often performed valuable war service, many in the Armed Forces. Difficult to see how anyone who uses this board shares responsibility for any thing that happened so many years ago. Denis.

Crone, you shouldn't be surprised. Not one bomber was diverted to disrupt the railway lines leading into Auchwicz, even though the Allies knew exactly what was going on and had detailed information from local spies.Yet factories in the vicinity were heavily bombed, for no strategic purpose. We all share the shame of what happened there, let's make no mistake about that.

I just recall that most of the aliens living in the UK during WW2 appeared to have been sent to the Isle Of Man. Perhaps he died there and was brought home to Glasgow? Denis.

Lydia It would be worth putting his name on here just in case one of the members can find something for you. Denis.

Thanks for all the suggestions. My great grandfather was orginally polish but as this was part of the Austro-Hungrian empire he was an austrian passport holder. I will try the anglo-German society in case they can help. I will also see if I get any help from Kew. On the other matter my mother is certain that galsgow 1942 was his last know whereabouts.

The National Archives at Kew appear to hold detailed files on interned aliens. Best check with them. Denis.

Lydia Where did you actually check the records? Are you sure about the year? Perhaps if you put the name on the board someone might be able to help? Denis.

It comes as a surprise to me that Jewish refugees were considered Enemy Aliens during the war, although I do know that some Jewish people were interned on the Isle of Man for the duration - this was because they were German citizens, not because they were Jews. OC

Are you sure he died there, rather than being buried there or commemorated there? If it was a foreign name, could there have been a spelling mistake? Was the family interned if they were regarded as enemy aliens? Jay

Part of my family were considered enemy alien's during the War as they were Jewish refugees. Does anyone know where I will be able to find details of their deaths, as my great grandfather who died in Glasgow in 1942 is not listed in the Scottish death records