Shedding Light on Britain’s World War II Jewish Community

Shedding Light on Britain’s World War II Jewish Community

Shedding Light on Britain’s World War II Jewish Community

Discover the records that capture the experiences of foreign nationals seeking refuge in Britain.

Discover the records that capture the experiences of foreign nationals seeking refuge in Britain.

Discover the records that capture the experiences of foreign nationals seeking refuge in Britain.

Following the outbreak of World War II, around 58,000 Jews arrived on British soil.

Following the outbreak of World War II, around 58,000 Jews arrived on British soil.

The vast majority were refugees escaping Nazi persecution in continental Europe, but this did not mean that they were welcomed into the country with open arms.

The vast majority were refugees escaping Nazi persecution in continental Europe, but this did not mean that they were welcomed into the country with open arms.

In fact, because Britain had declared war with Germany, Jewish refugees were automatically classified as ‘enemy aliens’ by the British government upon their arrival. This followed a policy of internment, enforced in an attempt by the Home Office to distinguish between Nazi sympathisers and those fleeing persecution.

In fact, because Britain had declared war with Germany, Jewish refugees were automatically classified as ‘enemy aliens’ by the British government upon their arrival. This followed a policy of internment, enforced in an attempt by the Home Office to distinguish between Nazi sympathisers and those fleeing persecution.

The Jewish community continued to escape the antisemitism that was growing throughout Europe. Thousands came to Britain, leaving loved ones behind in their native countries.

The Jewish community continued to escape the antisemitism that was growing throughout Europe. Thousands came to Britain, leaving loved ones behind in their native countries.

Those who fled would often compare their experiences with Jewish family members still at home, reporting back about the new difficulties that faced them as ‘enemy aliens’ in Britain.

Those who fled would often compare their experiences with Jewish family members still at home, reporting back about the new difficulties that faced them as ‘enemy aliens’ in Britain.

Every UK-registered alien over the age of 16 was sent to a tribunal for assessment, and 120 internment tribunals were established throughout the country. The majority were assigned to the Greater London area where large numbers of Jewish families originally settled.

Every UK-registered alien over the age of 16 was sent to a tribunal for assessment, and 120 internment tribunals were established throughout the country. The majority were assigned to the Greater London area where large numbers of Jewish families originally settled.

This is just one of many stories that can be discovered in the World War II Alien Internees collection. You can find thousands of individual records including names, dates of birth, dates of internment and dates of discharge.

This is just one of many stories that can be discovered in the World War II Alien Internees collection. You can find thousands of individual records including names, dates of birth, dates of internment and dates of discharge.

Get an extraordinary insight into the lives of foreign nationals seeking refuge in World War II Britain as the Holocaust began to shape movement throughout Europe.

Get an extraordinary insight into the lives of foreign nationals seeking refuge in World War II Britain as the Holocaust began to shape movement throughout Europe.

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