WE WERE LUCKY
An autobiography by Hilde Gerrard neé Weissenberg, born 1907 FINAL DECISIONWe came to Britain. We lived through the battle, the hardship, the same chances of life or death. Now we declined the American offer. We decided that we wanted to settle in Britain. The children got the opportunity to go to the local Grammar School, we wanted to become British citizens, which we did.
Gerhard had very good friend in Martin. He met him in the Internment Camp on the Isle of Man. He was a small man, serious, immaculate and very ill, when he came there. Gerhard and Albert were the cooks in the house, which was occupied by about 40 internees. Martin had stomach ulcers and was unable to eat the food but needed a light diet, which was difficult to obtain; the brothers gave it to him and he got well main. When all were free, Martin came to visit us in Colne and we were so pleased to meet him. We had a small room, which we offered to him and intended to contribute to his fare. In the camp life had no distinction between rich and poor and only the manners, knowledge and character was valued. We all thought that Martin was very poor but at the end of his stay with us, we accompanied him to the station, when he boarded the train first class. We were very surprised and pleased that Martin could afford first class travel. He was a widower, his wife died of a weak heart whilst he was interned. He had lived for 20 years in England but never applied for British nationality. Therefore he was qualified "enemy alien" like everybody else in the camp.
At the beginning of she internment all men were roueded up and some women. The Government had no idea how to find out if they were Nazis or friends in the camp, The population looked on the Jews, who hated the Nazis, as "Germans" and suggested "intern the lot" - which was a far cry from solving the problem. Once in camp the inmates found out quickly on which side everyone was.
It was Martin who suggested a holiday after 2 years of work and the children and we were eagerly looking forward to it. We chose the Lake District - Coniston - and fell in love with the beautiful countryside. This was our first holiday with Martin and we went together for many years or he came to us to Colne and we stayed at home and made excursions from there. The lovely surroundings are within walking distance and in September the heather is in full bloom and in delightful colour. The seaside is also in easy reach and buses to Blackpool run twice a day.
Lancashire hospitality is very warm and we were asked to tea and also invited by our neighbours and friends.
Through the business we got to know many, many people. A highlight of life in a small town was our yearly booksellers conference, which took place either on the coast or in Scotland or at some other interesting spot, that could accommodate a large gathering and we usually added a few days and stayed a week. I enjoyed especially Gleneagles and meeting with colleagues and the exchanging of views. As we were teaching booksellers, we ourselves went every 4 years on a managerial refresher course. They were held during the university holidays in either Oxford, Cambridge or Manchester and we were boarded in the students' quarters. Spartan quarters sometimes but I felt that it was a privilege to study. If I ever had a chance again and were young I would like to study. We became well established booksellers, had a living and enjoyed our work.
Who knows what was the right thing to do?
Many of our friends and relations live in America. We live isolated in a small town. We have accepted our surroundings. We have made some good friends and have nice neighbours. We go to synagogue in Manchester at least twice a year. We were uprooted in 1933. Are we really at "home" - are we cosmopolitans and able to live anywhere? Or are we strangers everywhere?