Idea's of what to do with Austwich liberation pics

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:23 am

We have boxes of black and white pics inherited from Mr O's uncle who was one of the allied troops who liberated Austwich. For too many years, they have sat in polythene in boxes not seeing the light of day which I feel is a huge waste. We don't want to sell them as we do not want to financially benifit from the suffering of so many but they are going to waste.

Does anyone have any Idea's?

Post by **spot** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:08 am

Talk to someone at Yad Vashem - The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority

They'll become a significant body of reference material there. People will study each photo.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:12 am

spot;1240294 wrote: Talk to someone at Yad Vashem - The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority

They'll become a significant body of reference material there. People will study each photo. That's a great link that I shall explore in depth later tonight and one I did not know existed. Thankyou Spot.... great Idea.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:34 am

Spot's idea is perfect.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:18 am

CARLA;1240308 wrote: Spot's idea is perfect.

Yes, a very good Idea.

We know that If they are passed on to Mr O's family, chances are they will stay in the box and they will not know what to do with them either.

I haven't looked through them for a while but It occurs to me that some of the children in the pics could be alive still today or there may be children who have no pics of their parents.

A very sad thought.

Imladris · Post by **Imladris** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:54 am

spot;1240294 wrote: Talk to someone at Yad Vashem - The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority

They'll become a significant body of reference material there. People will study each photo.

That was my thought too.

I went to the museum at Yad Vashem more than 20 years ago when I holidayed in Israel. The experience never leaves you, I shall remember what I saw and what I felt until the day I die.

If you do decide to give the photos to them you can be assured that they will be appreciated and given the respect that is due.

Post by **spot** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:26 pm

Imladris;1240361 wrote: I went to the museum at Yad Vashem more than 20 years ago when I holidayed in Israel. The experience never leaves you, I shall remember what I saw and what I felt until the day I die. You're quite right there, it has an atmosphere all of its own.

Imladris · Post by **Imladris** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:44 pm

spot;1240372 wrote: You're quite right there, it has an atmosphere all of its own.

It gets to you, I can still close my eyes and feel it. I couldn't get round the whole place, I had to leave before the end as I just could not process any more of the horror of it all, it's overwhelming.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:01 pm

Imladris;1240376 wrote: It gets to you, I can still close my eyes and feel it. I couldn't get round the whole place, I had to leave before the end as I just could not process any more of the horror of it all, it's overwhelming.
I went to Austwich with my father about 20 yrs ago. The thing I remember the most was the quiet... the stillness.

I have looked at Spot's link and would like to donate the pics here. There is an assortment including bodies as well as very young children and some of allied troops. They are in very good condition and I'm sure they would be welcomed. There is also some papers that go with them that I'm sure any Historian would be keen to get hold of. :-6

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:28 pm

An excellent suggestion by Spot.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:31 pm

chonsigirl;1240392 wrote: An excellent suggestion by Spot.
Yes... My opinion of Spot dipped some-what after reading here that he read a copy of The News Of The World, but opinion may be restored now. He has redeemed himself.

Far better they go to folks who will study them and appreciate them. :-6

dubs · Post by **dubs** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:35 pm

There's also the Holocaust Centre, Beth Shalom, in Nottingham.

The Holocaust Centre Â» Visit Us

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:40 pm

dubs;1240397 wrote: There's also the Holocaust Centre, Beth Shalom, in Nottingham.

The Holocaust Centre Â» Visit Us Thanks Your Dubness, I shall Investigate. :-6

dubs · Post by **dubs** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:54 pm

oscar;1240401 wrote: Thanks Your Dubness, I shall Investigate. :-6

I agree Spots suggestion is excellent, but I thought Beth Shalom might be a good starting point for you. They'd no doubt consider what you have as a valuable resource, and advise you further.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:08 pm

What treasures you have there Oscar. They certainly deserve a good home:-4

It would be lovely to see some of them even thought it would be so much sadness just thinking about those disgusting years:(

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:27 pm

Kathy Ellen;1240410 wrote: What treasures you have there Oscar. They certainly deserve a good home:-4

It would be lovely to see some of them even thought it would be so much sadness just thinking about those disgusting years:( Thankyou Kathy. I think one of the reasons they have remained un-looked at for so many years is that one feels that they are intruding in people's horror and grief when you look at them. Far better they go where they can be looked at as part of history.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:30 pm

dubs;1240404 wrote: I agree Spots suggestion is excellent, but I thought Beth Shalom might be a good starting point for you. They'd no doubt consider what you have as a valuable resource, and advise you further. Thanks... make no mistake, Pete has been offered money for them in the past but some things are morally wrong to sell and It's why we would be choosy as to their destination. I'd hate anyone to profit out of them.

He was also offered mega bucks for the embroidered postcards his grandfather posted from the Somme just before he was shot in the head at 29 yrs old and Mr O's mother was 2 yrs old. I have no Idea what to do with those either.

Mt fathers WW2 log books I have willed to my brothers little boy along with other WW2 memorabilia. I was once offered Â£6,000 for dad's log books... yeah right !!! As If !!!!

el guapo · Post by **el guapo** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:06 pm

oscar;1240280 wrote: We have boxes of black and white pics inherited from Mr O's uncle who was one of the allied troops who liberated Austwich. For too many years, they have sat in polythene in boxes not seeing the light of day which I feel is a huge waste. We don't want to sell them as we do not want to financially benifit from the suffering of so many but they are going to waste.

Does anyone have any Idea's?

sell them give the money to charity

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:28 pm

For Mr O's grandad's stuff, I would suggest contacting the Imperial War Museum. They made a big effort to collect information - pictures, oral records and such - about the 1st WW before all the old soldiers died, and I think they'd be very interested. If they aren't, I'm sure they could point you in the right direction.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:57 pm

Clodhopper;1240691 wrote: For Mr O's grandad's stuff, I would suggest contacting the Imperial War Museum. They made a big effort to collect information - pictures, oral records and such - about the 1st WW before all the old soldiers died, and I think they'd be very interested. If they aren't, I'm sure they could point you in the right direction. Thanks Your Clodness... there Is some paper work to go with his grandfather as well. He was a doctor on the Somme and he left the trenches to tend to an Injured German. The British Army took great exception and shot him in the head. I have no paper work for my grandfather who was blown up on the Somme...also aged 29 .. not enough left of him.

It's a great idea that I'll look into. :-6