Oral history interview with Willy Fried

John and Dorothy Fried Goldmeier papers

Document

This collection relates to Hans (John) Goldmeier, who was sent from Germany to England at age 10. Though his older brother emigrated with him, and parents later followed, John was separated from them (due to work, school, and the death of his father) for the majority of the war. He formed strong bonds with those caring for him and his schoolmates at the Stoatley Rough boarding school, many of whom were also Jewish refugees. The collection highlights include John’s schoolwork at Stoatley Rough, where he reflected on the war and his own refugee status, and many reminiscences of other “Roughians” at the many post-war reunions that were held. The collection also includes smaller collections of documents, German passports (Reisepass), and photographs related to the Nakler and Friedländer families documenting their lives in Germany, World War I, and emigration. Both Hede Nakler and Willy Fried (John’s brother) gave oral history interviews on audiotape, which are also included in the collection. The Friedländer family is distantly related to the family of Arthur Kronthal who put together a family tree and narrative entitled “A Jewish Life From the Last Century” which is also included in this collection. Please see also 2006.18, the Goldmeier family records, for related family material.

World War I Iron Cross 2nd class combatant’s medal with ribbon awarded to a German Jewish soldier

Object

Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) second class medal and ribbon, awarded to a member of Dorothy Fried Goldmeier’s family, for bravery as a soldier in the German Army during World War I (1914-1918). The Iron Cross was first issued in 1813 and reissued in August 1914, after the start of World War I. It was awarded to servicemen of all ranks, and as many as 5,000,000 second class medals were awarded between 1914 and 1918. Although it was originally a Prussian award, its use continued after German unification. Even after Germany lost World War I, the Iron Cross remained a symbol of military honor and pride. Dorothy’s father, Hans Friedlander (later John Fried, 1898-1980), and his brother, Wilhelm (later Willy Fried, 1895-1991), were raised in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland), and served in the German military during World War I. On April 14, 1927, Hans sailed for the United States, and Americanized his name to John Fried. On July 17, 1930, John married Hedwig (Hede) Nakler (1901-1983) in Grantwood, New York. Hede was born in Stettin, Germany, and immigrated to the US with her sister, Erna (1899-1993), in January 1927. Hede and Erna’s brother, Manfred (1897-1917), died following an injury in World War I, and earned a posthumous Iron Cross for his service.

Oral history interview with Hede Nakler

Oral History