Bernard's family life

Who do you think is sat on the car in this photograph?

What make

In which decade do you think this was taken?

of car do you think it is?

The photograph shows Bernard sitting on a BMW car at his home in Lingen, at the end of the 1920s. Bernard was a young boy at the time but remembers taking journeys in the car, which belonged to his father. He can remember the car’s arrival and going for trips during the school holidays. The roof was canvas and could be rolled back. The last time Bernard remembers using the car was to visit his aunt and uncle in Holland over a summer break.

“...me and my sister, we were like cats and dogs, and I was always the one that was at fault. Did not matter what had happened. It was always me and well I got to so used to it, it did not bother me, I know I had a very strict up-bringing, and I think that was the best thing that happened. Or could have happened, especially when I was, when I had to be on my own...”

Interview with Bernard Grunberg in 2015

What do you think about Bernard's relationship with his sister Gerda?

Why would Bernard say that having a strict upbringing was "the best thing" for him?

Bernard's sister Gerda

Bernard's father

This photograph was taken in December 1938. It is of Bernard Grunberg’s father, and was taken immediately after he was released from Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Because he was Jewish, Bernard’s father had been arrested and taken to Buchenwald during the 1938 November Pogrom (also known as Kristallnacht). He was released as he had fought with the German army during the First World War. Bernard managed to see his father one last time before he arrived in England, after which he would never see any of his family again. Bernard’s father was later murdered by the Nazi regime, along with Bernard’s mother and sister.

The car was confiscated by the Nazi regime, along with the family home and other possessions.

Bernard's mother packed the family photo album with Bernard when he came to England on the Kindertransport in December 1938.

What was the Kindertransport?

9,354 mainly Jewish children made the journey from Germany, Czechoslovakia and Austria to Britain.

This happened between December 1938 and September 1939.

They made this long journey to escape Nazi persecution.

These children are collectively called the Kinder. Individually they are known as a “Kindertransportee”.

Today, Bernard describes this photo album as his "greatest treasure".

Why are these photographs important to Bernard and to the National Holocaust Centre and Museum?