John's Suitcase

The Karpowitz family lived in Berlin during the rise of the Nazis. Otto Karpowitz owned the Sportpalast in Berlin, Germany. It was a popular venue for huge Nazi Party rallies in the 1930s. After hearing Hitler speak about conquering Europe and his plans for the Jews, Otto decided to send his son Heinz to Britain for safety. There, Heinz changed his name to John Herbert and attended boarding school.

More than 80,000 Jewish refugees resided in Britain at the start of the Second World War. Thousands of refugees, including John, were held in British internment camps as suspected enemy aliens. John’s father, Otto, remained in Europe during the war. He was deported to Auschwitz and perished in 1944.