George and Henni Lesley: personal papers

This collection contains the personal papers of the Jewish couple, George and Henni Lesley. Both emigrated to escape Nazi persecutions in Germany. Included are a copy of the protective custody order and release form for Henni Lesley ('Schutzhaftbefehl') (1703/2), photocopy of an embroidered handkerchief made whilst in custody (1703/4), medical certificate of Henni Lesley (1703/3), birth certificate of George Lesley (1703/5), copy declaration form of acquisition of British nationality (1703/13), correspondence from the American Joint Distribution Committee regarding the fate of Henni's parents Meta and Ludwig Lewin (1703/14), and death certificate of George Lesley (1703/15).

Henni Lesley (née Lewin) was born on 20 October 1909. She was taken into protective custody ('Schutzhaft') under the Reichstags Fire Decree of 1933 ('Verordnung des Reichspräsidenten zum Schutz von Volk und Staat', also known as 'Reichstagsbrandverordnung') in September 1937 for having a relationship with an Arian. Shortly after her release from Lichtenburg women's concentration camp on 19 October 1938 she emigrated to England. Her parents Meta and Ludwig Lewin were deported and died in the Holocaust.

Georg Lewy (changed his name to George Lesley in 1943), born on 20 March 1904, and Henni Lewin got married in England in 1940. The couple obtained British citizenship in 1946/1947 and lived in Stratford-on-Avon.

Chronological

See Wiener Library access conditions at: http://www.wienerlibrary.co.uk/usinglibrary/usingthelibrary.aspx

Donated by Henni Lesley.

2005/48