Ruth Deech family cutlery

[Katharine]

Normally I listen to From our own Correspondent but I missed this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/f ... 201282.stm

I remember Ruth Fraenkel as very senior in 7s (I think) when I was very junior.

[Fjgrogan]

Katharine
Thank you for putting that on the forum. I too remember Ruth - I think she was one of only two known Jews in the school (the other was Sarah Visick, if my memory serves me correctly?). I think Ruth's chances of getting compensation for her family's losses are very small, but I applaud her for trying. Of course there can be no compensation for the largest loss of all, lives. Ruth would make a wonderful subject for the BBC's 'Who Do You Think You Are?', which has far too many minor celebrities and politicians and not enough academics and others. How wnderful to be able to handle the cutlery once touched by one's ancestors. I remember getting all weepy when Maria sent me a link to a website with pictures of old Norfolk churches; among them was the font from the church at Marlingford where my great-great- great-grandmother was almost certainly baptised - Granny Walpole, whose story set me off on the family history trail fifty years ago, while I was at school in Hertford. Since then I have learned a vast amount about other branches of my family and my husband's, but strangely never managed to put a precise birth date to Granny Walpole!

[jhopgood]

I think you will find she is the principal speaker at this year's Founder's Day Dinner.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

The lives were, certainly, the most important thing.
When I lived in S. Africa, in a Jewish Community, my best Pal had a Grandmother, who had got out on the last boat out of Italy.
She constantly complained about leaving her house and "Things" in Germany, and blamed her Family for her hurried removal ------( ! )
She refused to learn, or speak English, and spoke only German, which I do, and so I was welcome to visit and listen to her complaints.
Her Family joked about her (Behind her back ! ) but I found it interesting, that she valued the Family Heirlooms greater than her own survival.

A true "Yiddisher Momma" -- a wonderful species !

[kerrensimmonds]

I'm very pleased for Ruth.
I spent some time with her in February, when she came to the University here to give a 'Distinguished Lecture'. I'd been terrified of her when I was at school and had been a little apprehensive about meeting her again under these circumstances (though I have seen her once or twice at CHOGA etc. things, over the years). She turned out to be so nice and friendly - it was a pleasure to spend a few hours in the company of so august a person!
Yes, she is speaking at FD Dinner this year.