Alfred Buechler

Alfred Buechler was born in July 1925 in Gleiwitz, then part of Germany, into a deeply Orthodox Jewish family. His testimony opens with vivid recollections of a secure and religious childhood centred on family, synagogue, and Jewish education. The family attended the Orthodox synagogue every Shabbat, where Alfred sang in the boys’ choir and celebrated his bar mitzvah shortly before the destruction of Jewish communal life. He attended a Jewish primary school under Dr Fleischer, who had the dual role of headmaster and choirmaster. Music, particularly the liturgical compositions of Lewandowski, remained a lifelong source of memory and identity. Alfred describes a household that observed Jewish law meticulously, including maintaining a separate kitchen for Passover, regular synagogue attendance, and the celebration of festivals such as Pesach and Yom Kippur.

Alfred’s father, originally from Breslau, worked as a travelling salesman selling kosher products, while his mother, who came from Gleiwitz, was musical and played the piano. The family lived on Niederwallstraße 27 in an apartment and employed a non-Jewish maid. Alfred recalled childhood interests in mechanics rather than academic study, describing himself as an energetic and mischievous boy who preferred building models and exploring rather than excelling at school.

Although Alfred initially experienced little direct antisemitism, he became increasingly aware of the changing political climate during the 1930s. His parents warned him to avoid Nazi marches and to hide in nearby shops rather than risk confrontation. One particularly significant incident occurred when, after receiving swimming lessons as a bar mitzvah present, he was expelled from the swimming pool because he was Jewish. Meanwhile, Jewish classmates and friends gradually emigrated, his brother joined a Hachsharah training programme before being arrested and imprisoned in Buchenwald. He later escaped to England. Alfred’s sister reached Britain on a domestic service visa. Alfred himself was expelled from secondary school after legislation excluded Jewish pupils from German schools, abruptly ending his formal education.

Kristallnacht marked the end of Alfred’s childhood. He remembers the synagogue smouldering and the widespread destruction of Jewish property. His father was arrested during this period and imprisoned, while increasing restrictions made everyday life unbearable. Eventually, arrangements were made for Alfred to leave on a Kindertransport. Looking back, he described the departure as an adventure from the perspective of a fourteen-year-old boy, only later recognising its tragic significance. He recalled saying goodbye to his mother in Berlin before boarding the transport, never seeing her again.

Alfred travelled from Berlin to Hamburg before boarding the SS Washington with approximately one hundred refugee children. The crossing left a lasting impression because of the kindness shown by American passengers, the abundance of unfamiliar food, and the stark contrast with conditions in Nazi Germany. Arriving in Britain, however, presented new challenges. His first placement at a hotel in Copdock House near Ipswich proved unsuccessful. Lacking domestic experience, he struggled with cleaning shoes and kitchen work and was quickly dismissed. After being referred to Woburn House in London, he was sent to Clayesmore School at Iwerne Minster in Dorset, where he worked in the kitchens while living with other refugee boys.

Over subsequent decades he established a career in catering and hospitality, eventually running his own successful business. He married Miriam, herself a survivor of Bergen-Belsen and together they had two sons.