Layton, Julian (1904-1989): Papers

Papers documenting the activities of Lt Col Julian Layton in assisting German Jewish refugees before the Second World War and internees during the war, 1936-1993, including official papers regarding the internment of refugees including HM Government printed orders mostly on aliens, internment and refugees, notably a report of a Parliamentary Delegation into conditions at Buchenwald concentration camp immediately after liberation, 1939-1945. Correspondence, memoranda and reports, 4 Oct 1939-9 Jul 1945, on matters relating to Jewish internees, chiefly those transported to Australia including: report of a visit to Hay Camp, November 1940; report on segregation at camp No. 10 at Loveday, February 1942; report on the call up of aliens, Jun 1943; summary of Layton's duties whilst in Australia; report on the transportation of released UK internees to the UK and report on internees of Italian origin. Typescript report by Noel W Lamidey, Secretary of the Aliens Classification and Advisory Committee (Australia) to Arthur A Calwell MP, minister for immigration, entitled 'Some aspects of alien control in Australia during time of war' with covering letter from the author addressed to Julian Layton, 16 Oct 1947.

Correspondence relating to Julian Layton's activities with internees, Dec 1936-Mar 1993, including reference to the Kitchener Camp, Richborough, Kent; correspondence with the Rothschild family, Great Britain, including a copy agreement between Layton and James Rothschild on the provision of financial assistance to help refugee children and correspondence and papers relating to the experiences of those aboard the 'Dunera'. Julian Layton's personal diaries including reference to his activities with regard to the welfare of internees, 25 Mar 1941-22 Dec 1944.

Julian David Layton was born Loewenstein in 1904 to parents who had come to England from Frankfurt in 1893 with the family firm of Loewenstein, Hoskins. According to a Alan Leopold Berton, nephew of Julian Layton, and executor to his will, and one of the depositors to this collection, Leopold Loewenstein, Layton's father, changed his name to Layton in 1917 . According to Julian Layton's cv he changed his name by deed poll on 30 August 1921, his brother, Ralph, having already changed his in September 1914. Julian's mother was the granddaughter of Samson Raphael Hirsch.

Layton became a stockbroker and a member of the London Stock Exchange from 1930, a partner in the firm R Layton and Co from 1933. He spent several years working in banks and stock broking firms in Germany and France.

The relationship between the Rothschilds and the Loewensteins began in Frankfurt and continued in London. It proved to be important with regard to the rescue of Jews in Europe as evidenced in the saga of the 'Cedar Boys'- the project in which Layton helped rescue 28 German Jewish boys and girls, who resided at the Rothschild's estate.

Otto Schiff of the German Jewish Aid Committee, who had known Layton already for a long time, had requested that Layton go to Canberra to persuade the Australian government to accept many German Jewish refugees. Much later, after the outbreak of war, Layton, on account of his experience dealing with refugees and his management of the Kitchener Camp for Refugees at Richborough, Kent, was sent by the British Government as a Home Office Liaison officer to facilitate the repatriation of the internees. He also assisted in obtaining compensation for those who suffered a loss during the 'Dunera' scandal, in which 3 British soldiers were court-martialed for the brutal treatment and robbery of refugees.

The papers have been arranged into the following categories: Official papers re internment (1205/1/1-85) and personal papers (1205/2/1-277). The latter category has been subdivided into various subjects, reflecting the original order.

Open

Alan Berton; Kenneth Layton; Joan Stiebel

Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk.

Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.

The collection comprises several deposits from different sources.