Papers of Hans Beermann (later Harold Beerman), Camp Supervisor whilst interned in Onchan Camp during the Second World War
Date(s): 1930s-1960s
Creator(s): Beermann, Hans Israel
Scope & Content: Folders of correspondence and papers relating to:
• ‘Unterlagen allgemeine fur Auswanderung’: papers connected to unsuccessful attempts to emigrate from Germany, 1938-1939;
• ‘Zeugnisse’: certificates, references, official documents and associated items connected to the couple and Flora’s son and their personal circumstances including 1939 letters from brother Fritz in London, emigration from Germany to England, employment, internment, attempts to be released, return to London and fire guard duties. Includes a letter from Flora (Rushen Camp) to Hans, 26 August 1940, a copy of a letter written on behalf of 1500 internees at Kempton Park internment camp to the Secretary of State of War, 29 May 1940, a sketch of Kempton Park racecourse, May/June 1940 and studio portrait of Hans and Flora, 1922-1948;
• Onchan Camp correspondence and other documents when Hans was acting in his official capacity as Camp Supervisor; also letters after release. Includes birthday greetings and poetry from many of the internees as well as copies of letters sent on behalf of the men including lobbying for a married camp, 1940-1941;
• Copies of certain issues of The Onchan Pioneer and Onchan Camp Youth, July 1940 – April 1941 (a cartoon of Hans appeared in issue 4, 23 August 1940);
• ‘Free German [Movement]’: includes memoirs and articles informed by Hans’s internment experience (Wharfe Mill, Kempton, Onchan), 1943-1945;
• General: enquiries about emigration to the United States of America (1941, 1945) and paperwork connected to the search for Flora’s son Gerhard Chrzaowski; also employment, naturalisation, change of name by Deed Poll and a claim regarding property in Germany together with miscellaneous correspondence, 1941-1965;
One file of papers previously loaned to MNH for 1994 temporary exhibition [extracted from the above folders];
‘Saw to Success’ script for a one act, 3 scene play and other scraps.
Administration / Biographical History: Hans Beermann (later naturalised as Harold Beerman) was held at Wharfe Mill, Kempton and Onchan, Isle of Man before eventual release in . His wife Flora was held at Rushen Camp between ….
Language: English
Extent: 1 box
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: FONDS
ID number: MS 11716
Record class: Private
Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im