Gideon R. testimony 2010

Gideon R. was born January 23, 1921 in Berlin, Germany. His describes his family as part of the Jewish community and he attended a private Jewish elementary school. He recalls his parents’ decision to escape Germany to London through Holland. Gideon discusses finishing his high-school education in England and enrolling in the London School of Economics. He describes his arrest as an enemy alien at age 19 and being moved into an internment camp in Huyton. He describes being transferred to the Isle of Man. He discusses the conditions and daily routine of the camps. Gideon was selected to embark on the S.S. Ettrick. He describes the ship and the voyage to Canada. He recalls interacting with German POWs and making friends with the other Jewish internees. He describes arriving in Canada. Gideon discusses giving lectures and writing about economics with friends from the LSE who were also interned. He remembers taking the train and arriving in the camp at Sherbrooke. He describes the poor facilities and advocating for better living conditions. He recalls what the internees did for entertainment. Gideon was one of the first internees to be released in 1941. He discusses wanting to return to England but learning his parents were trying to immigrate to the United States. He recalls receiving a sponsor and continuing his studies at the University of Toronto. He discusses his attempts to join the Canadian Armed Forces. He describes his graduate studies and career as an economist. Gideon reflects on his internment experience.