Penelope Putz - “The memories of adult and child refugees go together”

I am a member of a host family. I am 78 and my memories of 1938-39 are hazy. I dont remember the word ‘Kindertransport’. I do remember Jewish refugees coming to live in our home in Somerset. I think the adults, a married couple, ballroom dancing teachers, came first. I remember the man shaving in the bathroom with the door open. I used to watch my father shaving so I watched this man. Suddenly he said “I wish I was dead”.  I was shocked; my child’s mind told me that he shouldn`t say such a thing, and anyway he had his wife with him; they had both escaped whatever they had to escape, and he looked all right.  Only later could I hazard what lay behind such despair. I can’t remember how long they were with us but sometime in 1939 they got permission to go to Australia.  I have the letter, full of gratitude, they wrote to my parents.

My memories of Anna are clearer. She was twelve years old and came from Czechoslovakia. Although three years older than me we became good friends. She was still with us when we were on holiday in Scotland in August 1939. Her parents got out, though I don’t know how, and took Anna to California. Very sadly some years later we received a letter saying that Anna had died of appendicitis.
For me the memories of adult and child refugees go together.

Penelope Putz