Prisoner Number Badge

Julie Gutovich was imprisoned in Parschnitz labour camp from 1942 until 1945. Upon her arrival at the camp, she was issued this cloth badge with her prisoner identification number. Prisoners were required to wear their badges at all times. Every day, Julie was marched with other prisoners to a linen factory five miles from the camp. Here, they worked all day on spinning machines. Julie maintained her strength with the help of a sympathetic factory supervisor who snuck her extra food.  She also formed close friendships with her fellow prisoners. In 1947, Julie immigrated to Canada, where she married and raised three children in Vancouver.