‘Ireland in Schools’
University College, Northampton
University of Birmingham
Birmingham Advisory & Support Service
How far does reading & writing historical fiction
help us to understand the past?
Children as evacuees & refugees in the Second World War
2. Refugees - Vienna to Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Contents
PART ONE: FLEEING THE NAZI THREAT
1.
Karl’s Bad Day
2.
Extract A : What happened during the ‘Night of Broken Glass’?
3.
Extract B: Karl leaves his parents at Vienna Station
4.
Extract C: Arriving
5.
Extract D: Karl is mistaken for a spy
PART TWO: KARL’S NEW LIFE
6.
Karl’s big problem
7.
Karl’s new life: 1 - tasks; 2 - cards for sorting
CONCLUSION
8.
Fact & fiction
APPENDICES
A timeline of important events affecting Karl’s life
About this workbook
Lesson plans
Karl’s Bad Day
Diary
12th June 1940
I did not sleep a wink last night … what a horrible day I had yesterday . Why did the
policeman call me a spy? He was all right really … he did not even shout at me In Austria it
would have been much, much worse . I was only asked about where the binoculars came from.
We were only looking at some warships going along the Irish Sea. Of course the binoculars
belong to Norman. He will keep talking about what happened . I just want to forget. about it.
It is all right for Norman he comes from Dublin – nobody thinks of him as a spy! Mr Senesh
says that none of us can go to the beach now. I feel really bad about this.
Life has been good since I got to the farm on Millisle in the north of Ireland. Ireland is so
far from the war. We have all worked together and made it our home. We even have our own
synagogue. The Dublin crowd seem all right. It is good that they have given up their holiday to
come and work with us. They are lucky, they can go back to their mums and dads at the end of
the summer. It really is hard being away from Rosa . Mr and Mrs Gould are really trying to be
kind to her but she is unhappy living with them.. I did tell mum and dad that I would take care
of my little sister and must try and get her a place here on the farm. I do miss them and
wonder what they are doing… I hope that they are all right.
1. Find the following in an atlas:
Austria
Ireland - Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
2. Why do you think Karl went from Austria to Ireland?
3. Underline any words which tell you that Karl is unhappy.
4. What questions could you ask to find out more about why he is so unhappy?
5. This story has been made up and the people do not exist, but it is based upon real historical
sources.
What type of sources do you think the author might have used to gain background
information?
What happened to Karl before his ‘Bad Day’?
You are going to read some extracts taken from a novel by Marilyn Taylor called Faraway Home.
They show out parts of the story which help explain what had happened to him by the time that he
wrote the above diary extract. Some of these extracts will be compared with photographs taken and
other extracts actually written by real people at the time. These will help you to understand the
background and Karl’s situation more clearly and to think how useful Faraway Home is as a source
for history. For some of the diary extracts you will be asked to imagine you are Karl and write a
diary extract summarising your feelings.
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 3
Extract A
What happened during the ‘Night of Broken Glass’?
Karl and his family are in their apartment in Vienna. The year is 1938 and Jewish property is being
destroyed.
(p. 34)
Papa was at the at the shop. Mama peered cautiously through the window.’ There are crowds,’ she
said. ‘And a light in the sky. Something is on fire’
‘What is it?’ asked Oma, her old hooded eyes full of fear. ‘Is it the Nazis? Are they coming to take
us?’ She twisted her trembling ring with trembling fingers.
‘Don’t worry Oma’ said Karl. ‘We’re safe here.’ But were they? The violence they could hear
wasn’t far way. And what about Papa at the shop?
There was a tap at the door…Mamma opened the door a crack. It was their neighbour, Leni, from
downstairs. ‘Come in quickly.’ Mama locked the door behind her.
‘I shouldn’t be here,’ whispered Leni. ‘My husband would kill me if he know. But I want to tell you
to stay inside tonight. They’re destroying all the synagogues, the Jewish shops, everything.
‘But why?’ cried Oma. ‘Why?’
Leni touched Oma’s shoulder. ‘You’ve always been good neighbours to me’, she said.’ I don’t know
why these dreadful things are happening. Apparently, a young Jew has assassinated some high-up Nazi
officer in Paris, I think it was. But it’s just another excuse. They’re all crazy, crazy for blood, and I’m
ashamed my husband is among them’. ..
As she left she said to Mama,’ You should try to get the children out…’
1. Underline the words which show that Karl and his family are frightened.
2. Draw a story board of about four pictures, showing the emotions Karl and his family are
feeling.
3. Underline information in sources A1, A2, A3 and A4 which explains one picture in your story
board. Use this to label your picture.
4. Repeat this exercise with the other pictures.
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 4
Source A1
Source A2
In 1938 The Nazis started to make life very
frightening. I remember the night they now call
‘The Night of Broken Glass’, or ‘Kristallnacht’
in German. During the night of 9th November,
my mother and I were dragged from our flat
and had to stand in our nightgowns in the town
square. The Nazis were taking the men away,
smashing windows and destroying homes. We
had a beautiful grand piano, and they just axed
it straight in half. The smell of burning was
everywhere.
Lisa Vincent, aged 16 in 1938
Looted Jewish shops
Source A3
Source A4
At the age of six I had to go to….school, and
the first thing that greeted me was the
children saying that I was a dirty Jew and I
must eat in the toilet. My brother and I were
the only Jewish children in the school and we
had to eat our sandwiches in the toilet- the
teachers were aware of this but did nothing.
Classes were all right at first but then…a
very anti-Semitic teacher…would do things
such as send me out of the classroom saying
I was a Jew and I didn’t have to learn this
and then call me back in and ask me
questions. She would then say to the others:
‘ You see, the Jews aren’t that clever; they
don’t know everything.’ She liked to make
fun of me and my brother. The children
would laugh; they thought it was very funny.
Edith Birkenruth
Some of Hitler’s restrictions against the
Jews
1933
Aryan and non-Aryan children were forbidden
to play with each other.
1935
All Jews had their German citizenship
removed.
1936
Jews had to hand over electrical and optical
equipment, bicycles, typewriters and records.
1938
Jews had to declare their finances so that their
assets could be seized by the government.
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 5
Extract B
Karl leaves his parents at Vienna Station
Because of anti-Jewish feeling, Karl’s mother and father, like some other Jewish parents, sent him
to another country for safety.
(p. 42)
At the station they joined crowds of parents and children, all clutching their suitcases, as grim faced
Nazi Stormtroopers with guns and truncheons patrolled the platform…He and Rosa [ his younger sister]
hugged their parents, the comforting arms enfolding them for the last time. They kissed Mama’s
velvety cheek and Papa’s bristly one. Papa dried Rosa’s tears with his handkerchief and handed her a
new doll and a book about a dog retriever just like Goldie [ her pet ]. Mama, with a forced smile,
handed them paper bags with sandwiches and apples for the journey.
Then they got onto the train.
‘Look after Rosa, Karli,’ murmured Mamma. ‘God bless you both’.
‘Remember to stay together,’ said Pa huskily. ‘We’ll join you as soon as we can.’
Inside the carriage it was dark. The window-blinds had been drawn by the guards, so that the parents
and children couldn’t see each other.
As his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, Karl saw that the carriage was full of children of all
ages. Some were crying; others, the younger ones, not understanding what was going on, were excited
at the prospect of an adventure …
1. Underline in different colours words which express fear and comfort.
2. Divide into groups.
Agree upon the part of the story that most affects you and freeze-frame it. Be prepared to
explain why you chose that part of the story.
3. Compare the fictional account with accounts of real Jewish children leaving Europe because
of the Nazis, Sources B1, B2, B3 and B4.
a. Read the following statements and match them to the sources
i. People felt desperate when the children left.
ii. Many children were bewildered.
iii. The guards hit the woman who became hysterical.
iv. The Brownshirts prevented my parents from seeing me leave.
v. It was for the best that my family did not see me leave.
vi. We carefully made sure we looked happy.
b. Which of the accounts gives you the greatest understanding of what it was like to be a
Jewish child at the time? Give reasons for your answer.
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 6
Source B1
We were allowed to bring only one suitcase and
a rucksack plus ten marks (then seventeen
shillings).... I remember my father writing the
fabric label for the rucksack. He took such
immense care as if he wanted to ensure my
safety by writing meticulously. My mother then
sewed it in and it is still there - sixty years later
- now very faded. Although I lived in Wuppertal
we had to join the train in Dusseldorf. Once our
rucksacks were stowed away on the luggage rack
above our seats we went back to the platform to
say goodbye to our parents.... All too soon we
were told to board the train. My parents stood as
close to the window as they could but the S.A. the Brownshirts - came and roughly ordered
them away to stand at the back of the platform.
Source B2
The train left Vienna in the early evening. My
father placed my small suitcase on the overhead
rack and had to leave the train. We children
crowded round the window to receive lastminute instructions. Despite the quietly shed
tears, the desperate hopelessness of the people
left behind was not really grasped by us. The
youngest of the children was three years old and
the oldest fourteen. Many children were
bewildered as they did not understand whey they
were leaving their homes and their parents, while
to others it appeared as though it was some kind
of outing. It wasn’t clear to us why our parents,
standing in small groups on the platform, were
quietly sobbing.
Gerta Ambrozek
Lore Heinmann
Source B3
Photographs
from
Into the Arms of
Strangers
Source B4
Mother couldn’t bear to come to the station. I went with my father. There was a terrible scene when
they were shouting the names of children. There was one woman who got very agitated and when
her children were not on the list she became hysterical. The guards hit her with clubs and knocked
her to the ground. ..The journey was terrible. At stations all along the way, parents had gathered to
catch a last glimpse of their children. I’m glad my family didn’t do that.
Vera Coppard left Berlin in 1939 when she was 13
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 7
Extract C
Arriving
The escaping children travelled on the Kindertransport, organised by sympathisers in the United
Kingdom.
1. Karl arrives in England (p. 45)
When the children from the Kindertransport, weary and bewildered, finally landed at the English
port of Harwich, Karl’s first thought was: We’re free of the Nazis! …But the joy and relief that swept
through him, trickled away again as he pictured his parents on the platform, and the rest of the family,
hundreds of miles away in Vienna...
‘Will we be with a family?’ asked Karl [of the woman in charge].
‘I’m not sure about that yet, she replied. ‘Anyway, you and Rosa are going to Northern Ireland.
Seeing Karl’s blank expression , she pointed to the place on a map. It looked a long way away....
2. Karl arrives in Belfast and is separated from his sister, Rosa (pp 51-4)
A few days after their arrival [in a hostel in Belfast], Karl and Rosa were called to the chilly
downstairs parlour, which smelled of polish. Jack Freeman [the person taking care of refugees when
they first arrived in Northern Ireland] was waiting for them, with a strange man and woman…
‘What a sweet little girl!’ exclaimed the plump middle aged woman. ‘We’d love to have her.’…
Jack Freeman turned to Karl and cleared his throat. ‘ Karl, Mr and Mrs Gould would like to take care
of Rosa… Unfortunately, they only have room for one child, but they would make sure you saw each
other as often as possible….
‘Its very kind of them,’ said Karl,’ but my parents said we should stay together.’
Mr. Freeman nodded sympathetically. ‘I understand. But I think it would be best for Rosa. She’ll
have everything she could want I believe that your parent would agree.…’
They all rose, Karl with an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. The decision seemed to be out
of his hands....
3. Karl settles into a routine on Millisle Farm, near Newtownards, Co. Down (p. 60)
Days passed [on the farm], then weeks and months. The pangs of homesickness, the sense of loss
that lay like a stone in his heart, never entirely left Karl, but they softened to a familiar dull ache.
Gradually a routine was built up. And despite stings, bites, blisters, and sore muscles from the
unaccustomed work, he began to feel that at last some order had been put into his chaotic life.
1. Draw an emotional graph, showing Karl’s feelings on
a. arriving in Britain,
b. separation from Rosa and
c. life at Millisle.
2. In extract 3, Karl’s emotions change.
How does the author use words or phrases to show this change?
3. Look at the pictures, Sources C 1, C2, C3 and C4, which show real refugees on arrival at their
destinations.
a. Suggest words to explain each picture
b. Which picture best matches Karl’s feelings? Give reasons for your answer.
Happy
Sad
Arriving in Britain
Separation from Rosa
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 8
Life at Millisle
Source C1 Source C2
Girl, aged six, and boy, aged 5
Girl with doll
Source C3
Arriving at Harwich from Vienna, 1939
Source C4
On Millisle Farm, Co. Down
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 9
Extract D
Karl is mistaken for a spy
Refugees like Karl were often regarded with suspicion, because they came from Nazi Europe, with
whom the United Kingdom was at war.
(p.123-5)
‘Did you see the convoy?’ asked Norman [one of the helpers from Dublin ] . Fishing a small pair of
binoculars out of his bulging pocket, he held them out.’ They’re my dad’s,’ he explained. ‘He uses
them for the races. You get a great view’.
‘Maybe we shouldn’t use these’, said Karl uneasily.’We are not supposed to do anything which
would make people suspicious.’
‘Oh, come on that’s crazy’, said Norman…. They gazed in turn through the binoculars…
That night Karl was woken by voices and footsteps in the farmyard….
Inside [the office] he could see Mr Senesh [the person in charge of them], a coat over his pyjamas
and two other men. One was in police uniform, but it wasn’t their local Sergeant O’Connor, the ruddyfaced man who issued the travel permits; this man was a stranger....
Through the thin wooden wall they could hear Mr Senesh saying, ‘There must be a mistake. All the
older boys here have appeared before the board in Newtownards and have permits to be in a coastal
area-’
‘That may be,’ said the officer heavily. ‘But we’ve had reports that someone may have been
signalling to enemy ships or U-boats on the beach.’ He paused. ‘It seems they had binoculars.’
Karl froze.
1. Why are binoculars important in the story?
2. Using the timeline, explain why you think Karl was worried about using the binoculars and
why he ‘froze’ when the man in the uniform visited Millisle.*
3. Look at the sources of what happened to some ‘enemy aliens’ in reality.
Match each source to the headings in the spidergram below.
4. Write a story saying what you think happened to Karl next.
5. If you have the novel, read what actually happened on pp 126-30.
a. Do you think the sources are similar to those for Karl’s story or not? Give reasons for your
answer?
b. How similar is your story?
c. Do you think that the way Karl was treated was fair?
* Teachers might like to refer to page 19 of the novel and the visit of the ‘black-uniformed officer’.
Spidergram: What happened to ‘enemy aliens in Britain in World War II?
executed
tortured
conscripted
reported to the authorities
curfew
imprisonment
going to the cinema
dejected
prejudice
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 10
Source D1
ACT! ACT! ACT! DO IT NOW!
In Britain you have to realize every German is an Agent. All of them have both the duty and the
means to communicate information to Berlin.
Daily Mail, 1940
Source D2
I was conscripted into factory work for the war effort. I made friends with the factory girls and tried
to put Germany out of my mind. But it was difficult because there were many things I was not
allowed to do as a German. If I stayed out too late at a dance, I was called to the police station the
next day to explain myself. That was what life was life was like living in England. It seemed strange
that we were given refuge here because we were fleeing the Germans, but then we were closely
watched because we were German,
Lisa Vincent, a teenager
Source D3
Ellen’s Story
Imprisoned with her family as enemy aliens
My parents and I had moved to Britain in 1936 to get away from
the problems Jewish families were having. After the outbreak of the
war, my father had no papers to say that he was a ‘friendly’ alien.
We were taken to the Isle of Man to be interned as enemy aliens.
I vividly remember hundreds of us being made to walk in a long
crocodile down to the docks. The roads were closed to let us
through. The streets were lined with soldiers armed with open
bayonets – being seven years old, they were right at my eye level.
I didn’t know why they were pointed at us. Behind the soldiers
Liverpudlians crowded the pavements and actually jeered us,
hurling insults. It was very confusing.
http://timewitnesses.org/english/~ellenh.html
Source D4
The Tragedy of the Arandora Star
The Arandora Star was regarded as the height of luxury and was popular with the rich and famous.
She was referred to a ‘The Wedding Cake’ because of her white hull and violet stripe.
With the arrival of World War Two the Arandora Star was called up to Liverpool for its orders.
It’s main purpose was to deport prisoners of war, many bound for Canada.
However, the Arandora Star met its fate on July 2nd 1940 when a torpedo from a German
submarine, the U-47, struck the ship, off the Irish coast. There were 734 Italians on board the ship,
486 died. Of the 479 Germans on board, 175 died.
www.rossespoint.com/arandora_star.htm,
based on the account of a survivor, Signor Baldelli
Source D1
Josef Jakobs
The Charge
‘Committing treachery in that you at Ramsay in
Huntingdonshire on the night of 31 January 1941/1
February 1941 descended by parachute with intent to
help the enemy.’
The Verdict
Guilty - sentenced to death by shooting.
Josef Jakobs was shot dead by a firing squad
in the Tower of London on 23 August 1941.
www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/josef_jakobs.htm
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 11
Karl’s big problem
The story shows how Karl had to deal with a very big problem. In this exercise you have to put
yourself in his place and decide what you would do
1. Look at extracts A, B, C and D
a. Underline any words or phrases which tell you what Karl’s problem was.
b. Draw a spider diagram to link these words together.
2. Use box 2 to explain Karl’s problem in 20 words.
3. Choose words to sum up his emotions in box 3.
4. In Box 4 make a list of different choices Karl faced in dealing with his problem.
5. Then go on to answer question 5.
1. Extracts from the novel
A. Karl talks to Mr Freeman about his parents
At first Karl was busy learning English but he was always thinking of ways of getting his family away from Austria
so that they could be safe. He talked with Mr. Freeman, one of the people who helped the refugees.
‘There are so many people trying to get out, Karl. Even if we could find jobs for them, the Nazis
often demand large sums of money to give them visas. Still, I’ll put them on the list. and you could
write to the refuge Committee in London, and any relatives you have outside Austria, to see if they
can do anything.’
p. 63
B. A letter from Karl’s mum
Karl’s parents were unable to get away from the Nazis in Austria and a letter from his mother worried him.
Since the war began, there are no visas for Britain or Ireland. We’re still enquiring about other places,
but it’s very difficult to buy food. Leni [ her next door neighbour] has helped us but it’s dangerous.
p.104
C. Bad news from Austria
Karl heard that Jews like his parents were being treated very badly and he was certain that they had to escape.
Karl decided he would write to his unknown American cousin at once. Asking for help for his
parents. Any destination would do, as long as they got out of Nazi hands.
p. 138
D. Karl is upset about what might be happening to his Mum and Dad
Some time later the Dublin crowd, and Judy returned for another holiday at the farm. However Karl was
unhappy. He had heard that he could not get help with getting his parents out of Austria because his
grandmother was old and sick and was not allowed to leave. He felt that he had to do something and told Judy
about his plan.
‘It’s hard to talk about, [said Karl.]
‘But Karl, surely whatever it is, it’s better to talk about it.’
After a long moment he nodded, as though coming to a decision. He said in a rush, ‘I feel so guilty,
Judy. So bad I that I haven’t been able to tell anyone....
Judy waited, her hand still on his. With an effort, he continued. ‘My parents saved Rosa and me they sent us away from danger. But I’ve failed them. They’ve been deported - maybe to a prison
camp, even to a dreadful place like Dachau, where my uncle Rudi was .’
p. 185
‘I can’t just stay here in Millisle, doing nothing. I’ve had enough of waiting for things to happen to
me.’ He sounded angry, almost hysterical. ‘I’ve decided to run away, tomorrow night after the pass
over meal. I’m going to England. With my ATC [Air Training Corps] training, if I lie about my age,
I might get into the Air Force. Then I can help stop the Nazis and what they’re doing.’
p. 185
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 12
2. Karl’s big problem
State in 20 words Karl’s main
problem
4. Karl’s choices
What choices were open to Karl
to resolve his big problem?
3. Karl’s emotions
List 5 words that describe
Karl’s emotions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
5. What would you do if you were Karl?
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 13
Karl’s new life 1 - tasks
Karl had to face a number of other problems in his new life in Northern Ireland.
Two of the biggest were
• getting on with all the other people he met; and
• understanding other people’s culture.
1. Choose one of Karl’s problems and find cards to match that problem.
2. Explain in your own words what that problem is.
3. Read the following extract from Faraway Home, p. 209, when Karl decides what to do - to
make the best of his new life amongst his new friends:
That didn’t mean that he would forget about his family - he would never stop thinking about them,
and hoping that the war would end and they would be united. But meanwhile, he had to carry on
trying to make a new life. That was what refugees had to do. And - as well as caring for Rosaone of the first things he had to do in that new life, in this new country was to help his friend
Peewee.
a. Do you think that this would happen in real life? Give reasons for your answer.
b. What do you think helped Karl come to this decision.
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 14
Karl’s new life 2 - cards for sorting
1. A cross new friend!
Karl first met Judy, a Jewish girl who had reluctantly come to help with the farm for the summer after she had run
away from a cow in one of the fields.
‘What happened?’ asked Karl.
Judy spoke first. ‘Someone told me to go and help bring in the cows to the byre for milking,’ she said
fiercely, tying to re-braid her hair. ‘I went into this field with a stick and shouted at this bull, or cow,
or whatever. Then it bellowed and ran at me. I fell into a cow pat,’ she stopped and peered down at
her dungarees, screwing up her face. ‘Ugh !That stuff stinks!’
p. 91
2. Finding out about local people’s religion 1
Karl’s friend Peewee was a Protestant. When he heard that a girl from Dublin called Judy was helping them he
thought she would be a Roman Catholic but Karl explained that like himself she was a Jew.
Peewee said, ‘Well are you Protestant Jews, or Roman Catholic Jews?’
Karl shook his head. ‘We’re just Jews.’ Peewee nodded uncertainly.
p. 95
3. Finding out about other people’s religion 2
When Karl’s Protestant friend, Peewee, invited Karl for tea, Karl said that there were certain things Jews did not
eat.
‘So will you come for tea?’
‘I would like to. I’ll ask Judy also, ‘ said Karl. ‘But, you know, there are some things we’re not
allowed to eat.’
‘Like what?’
‘Pork and shellfish,’ said Karl. ‘Ham, bacon-’
‘You mean you can’t have rashers?’ said Peewee incredulously. ‘You poor wee craturs.’
Karl smiled wryly. He had never seen that as the worst of his problems.
p. 116
4. Dealing with the police
Karl was frightened when questioned by the police investigating a complaint that boys had been seen looking at
ships through binoculars - the boys had been Karl and Norman.
Karl was awoken by voices and footsteps in the yard....
Inside [the office] he could see Mr Senesh [the person in charge Millisle], a coat over his pyjamas
and two other men. One was in police uniform, but it wasn’t their local Sergeant O’Connor, the
ruddy-faced man who issued the travel permits; this man was a stranger....
Karl, thought Judy, appeared pale and subdued, dark rings under his eyes, his smile missing. He
said little ...
‘How did they treat you?, Danny asked quietly.
‘They were polite’, said Karl. It was not like - ’ He stopped. ‘... all the questions made me nervous,
and I kept forgetting my English ...’
pp. 124-7
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 15
5. Handling religious differences
Protestants in Northern Ireland were very suspicious of Roman Catholics, both those who lived in Northern
Ireland and those who lived in Eire (the South). Peewee’s Protestant grandmother shared those suspicions.
He turned to Judy. ‘And don’t mind Granny. She’s a bit sharp, like, specially if you’re from the
South. It’s just her way.’
Judy threw a nervous glance as they followed Peewee down the laneway ...
Peewee’s granny regarded Judy suspiciously. ‘From Dublin, are you?’ she muttered. ‘So what
brings you here?’
Judy summoned up her courage. ‘I’ve come to help the refugees on Millisle Farm.’
‘That foreign crowd? And where are they from, when they’re at home?’ the old lady retorted.
Karl said politely, ‘ I am from Vienna, and some are from Germany, and from Prague.’
Granny regarded them piercingly, then said unexpectedly, ‘Sure, of course ye’re welcome here,
young weans away from their home. But I’ve not seen any of ye in the church of a Sunday -’
Mrs Crawford quickly put in, ‘Granny, d’you mind how Granda used to say a person’s religion was
their private business.’
pp 131-2
6. Pee Wee’s brother, the great footballer
Wee Billy, Peewee’s older brother, was a really good footballer and Karl’s friends desperately needed help with
their football skills.
Wee Billy turned to Karl and Judy. Peewee tells me you’ve a tricky football match coming up,’ he
said. ‘D’you need a hand?’ Bill’s a champion player,’ Pee Wee put in proudly.
p. 135
7. Judy goes home to Dublin after the summer holiday
Judy and Karl became good friends during the summer. The Dublin children eventually had to go home.
‘Karl,’ Rosa asked, ‘why has Judy gone? She was good fun’. Was that why he felt sad? Because
they had gone, the Dublin crowd - and Judy!
p. 171
8. Peewee’s brother
Peewee and Judy went with Karl on the first part of his journey - see Extract D, page 12. At one point they talked
about Wee Billy, Peewee’s brother.
Karl made an effort to chat. ‘Is Wee Billy still on guard duty at Newtownards?’ he asked Peewee.
‘Aye. He’s back at the airfield. Him and me went to a match today at Linfield - it was great. Not as
good as ours though,’ he grinned.
p. 194
9. The Blitz comes to Belfast
Karl, Judy and Peewee looked up into the sky and saw German bombers coming to Blitz Belfast.
In a short time, the city of Belfast - its streets, its houses and buildings, its shipyards and factories and
mills, and its people had become a huge lake of angry crimson and orange flame… Like the sky at
Kristallnacht, thought Karl, when the synagogues were burning.
p. 197
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 16
10. Karl wonders about whether he has done the right thing
After having seen what the bombing did to Belfast, Karl began to wonder if he had done the right thing.
What they had witnessed somehow put a different perspective on things. Was it right to be running
away - wrapped up in his own private misery. Abandoning Rosa and the others, dragging Judy and
Peewee with him on this unreal journey - when these disastrous events were taking place all around
them?
p. 198
11. Karl decides to go back
‘I don’t know how to say this, said Karl. ‘But I - we have to go back… Judy and Peewee exchanged
glances. Then Judy touched Karl’s shoulder. ‘Well…in a way, there’s no need, any more, for you
to go and find the war. The war has come to us.’
pp 200-1
12. Bad news for poor Peewee
When Karl, Peewee and Judy went back they went to Peewee’s house for breakfast but were surprised that
everyone had got up even though it was early.
Karl and Judy waited while Peewee went in. Mr. Crawford his father came to the door.
‘Ye’d better come in her son,’ he said heavily. ‘There’s bad news.’… there had been a direct hit
on a Nissen hut, headquarters of the Young Soldiers’ Battalion of the Inniskilling Fusiliers. Fifteen
men had been wounded and ten had been killed, including Wee Billy.
pp 203-4
13. Sympathising with Peewee after his brother’s death
[Peewee’s] voice shook. ‘If only Billy had been on leave last night ... He had real bad luck. And the
others, of course. He was trying to speak normally. But they could see that something had gone out
of Peewee - his chirpiness, his cheeriness, his sense of mischief.
Karl said quietly, ‘’It is hard to lose a brother.’
Judy guessed he was thinking not just about Billy, but also about Rosa. She herself felt a tremor of
guilt about her own sister, about the way she thought of Tilly’s illness only as a nuisance... p. 208
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 17
Fact & fiction
You have read the story of Karl’s varied experiences as a refugee and seen how real evacuees had
similar experiences.
1. How well do you think that looking at the story of Karl helps you to understand the experience of
real refugees?
2. How well does historical fiction help you to understand the past.
What do you think are its strengths and weaknesses?
You can use any book or film to help answer these questions.
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 18
A timeline of important events affecting Karl’s life
Event
When it
happened
How this affected men, women and children like
Karl
Adolf Hitler and the
Nazi Party came to
power in Germany.
1933
Life was very hard in Germany.
There were many reasons for this but Hitler chose to
blame the Jews for this even though this was not the case.
As a result Jews were attacked and increasingly treated
very badly.
The Anschluss
12 March 1938
Nazi Germany took over Austria were Karl lived.. Many
Jews were beaten on that day.
‘Kristallnacht’
9 November 1938
The Night of Broken
Glass.
Jewish synagogues, businesses and shops were burned.
And Jews were attacked. Many Jews tried to leave but
hardly any country would accept many of them.
Kindertransports
About 10,000 children between the ages of 3 months and
17 years were allowed to leave Germany, Austria and
Czechoslovakia. Money was raised and foster families
were found in Britain by Jewish, Quaker and Christian
volunteers . Later some money was given by the
government.
A Refugee
May 1939
Settlement Farm was
set up at Millisle
about 20 miles from
Belfast.
Many children who escaped on the Kindertransport went
to families in different parts of Britain. However, Karl
was one went to a farm which was set up for refugee
children.
The British
government
introduced
Internment.
Fears of foreign spies led to the imprisonment of adult
male ‘enemy’ aliens. Many born in countries at war with
Britain including people who had fled from Hitler were
put in prison. Only a few were kept there to the end of
the war.
9 May 1940
Throughout the
16 April 1941
winter of 1940-41
British cities were
bombed in what was
called ‘The Blitz’.
People in Northern Ireland believed that they were too
far way to get hit. Belfast was largely unprepared for
what happened when between 100 and
200 Luftwaffe bombers attacked it. About 745 people
were killed and nearly 500 were seriously injured.
This was one of the worst attacks any city got in a single
night. Fire engines were sent from the Republic of
Ireland to help the people of Belfast.
Millisle farm closed. May 1948
Only some time after the war ended in 1945 did many
children find out what had happened to their families
who had been unable to escape from the Nazis.
The Nazi
concentration camps
Karl was lucky to get way from Austria on the
Kindertransport.
People who did not escape had a dreadful time being
forced into small parts of towns called ghettos or
concentration camps. About six million Jews were
murdered and of these about one and a half million were
children.
Similar things were done to handicapped people,
socialists and other people the Nazis disliked.
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 19
About this workbook
About this workbook
This workbook is one of two making up a study unit aimed at the upper
end of Key Stage 2 and the lower end of Key Stage 3 and addressing
mainly History and PSHE objectives.
The unit poses the key question ‘How far does reading and writing
historical fiction help us to understand the past?’
Prior knowledge
Children will be expected to have
read some popular historical
fiction or watched a high/lowbrow historical film.
It would be helpful if the children
had some understanding of the
The workbooks look at the experience of children as evacuees and context of the Second World War
refugees in the Second World War as retold in two historical novels, in Britain.
Safe Harbour (other workbook, 1) and Faraway Home (this workbook,
2).
Safe Harbour explores the experience of a brother and sister evacuated
from the London Blitz to their grandfather’s house in Co. Wicklow in
neutral Éire.
Faraway Home looks at the experience of two Kindertransport children,
again a brother and sister, fleeing Nazi Vienna and seeking refuge in
Northern Ireland, the brother on a refugee farm in Co. Down.
By comparing extracts from these books with historical sources, the key
question leads to
• an exploration of the diverse experiences of children as evacuees and
refugees and their changing relationships in their new settings and
• an examination of the usefulness of reading and writing historical
fiction to an understanding of the past.
Each workbook consists of a number of lessons (seven or eight for Safe
Harbour, eight for Faraway Home).
They can be used together, or more feasibly, one can be used in class
and the other can be made available for library use.
They can also be used to bridge the gap between Years 6 and 7.
*
Historical
objectives
KS2
Historical
objectives
KS3
Citizen/PSHE
objectives
KS2
PSHE
objectives
KS3*
Some NLS text level objectives
1a
2a, b, c, d
3
4a, b
5a, c
1
2a, b, c , d, e
3a, b
4a, b
5a, c
1a
2a, c, e, f, k, i
4a, b, c, d, e, f,
g
5c, d, f, g, i
1b, d
2a
3a, b, c, e, h, k,
i
4b, c, d, f, g, i
Y5, Tm 1, TL 9, 12
Y5, Tm 2, TL13(?)
Y5, Tm 3, TL2, 7, 16
Y6, Tm 2, TL18
These apply in various parts of the workbook.
At Key Stage 3 there are opportunities to develop the skills of Citizenship within both units and to develop specific
Citizenship lessons, particularly in Faraway Home. For example, Karl’s being mistaken for spy (Lesson 5) could
provide the focus for a series of lessons on such issues as human rights and the treatment of refugees and asylum
seekers.
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 20
Lesson plans for Workbook 2: Refugees - Vienna to Co. Down, NI
Lesson
Key questions
Starter
Activities
History
NC
PSHE
NC
1
Diary
Karl’s bad
day
Why do you
think that Karl
was having a
bad day?
What might
happen next?
How might
fiction writers
find out about
the past?
Use pictures to
find out what
ch already know
about the
experience of ch
in war?
Ask ch to
describe a bad
day they have
experienced.
Look at map of Europe, read diary and discuss
qns 1 & 2.
In pairs do (a) activity 3 and (b) a ‘fluffy
clouds’ card sorting activity.
Ch note on card reasons why Karl is upset and
then sort into long-term and short-term
reasons and discuss qn 4 in pairs.
KS2
2a, b
4a, b
5c
KS2
2a, e
4b
KS3
2a, b
4a, b
5c
KS3
3a, b, e
4k
2
Extract A
What
happened
during the
‘Night of the
Broken
Glass’?
What happens
to you when
you feel
frightened?
How far do you
think Karl
shared your
experiences?
How far do the
sources support
the fiction?
Ch reflect
individually on
a time when
they have felt
frightened and
then in pairs
discuss what
happened.
Record
discussion on
class mindmap.
Read the extract as a class, do activity 1 and
identify any new words or ideas which show
fear.
Do activity 2 in pairs and share story board
with another pair.
In pairs, do activities 3 & 4.
KS2
2b, c,
4a, b
5a
None
3
Extract B
Karl leaves
his parents at
Vienna
Station
How do we
recreate as
historical
fiction the
particular
moment when
the children
were saying
goodbye?
Read the extract
individually and
identify words
expressing fear
and comfort activity 1.
Add to list in
lesson 2.
Divide into groups to reflect on which is worse
- being attacked or being separated from
home.
Re-read the extract and agree on which part of
the story affects them most and how they can
freeze-frame it - activity 2. Teacher to shoulder
tap and qn individuals - eg, Who are you? Why
are you here? Avoid asking about feelings.
Do activity 3a in groups.
Plenary
Teacher-led discussion of how well pictures in
starter helped ch to appreciate the story,
followed by a thought-shower of other
historical sources which author could have
used.
Plenary
Teacher-led discussion of how well starter
activity helped ch to appreciate the story.
KS3
2b, c, e
4a, b
5a, c
KS2
2a, b
4a, b
5a, c
KS2
2e
4b
KS3
2a, b
4a, b
5a, c
KS3
1d
3b, e
4k
KS2
1a
2a, b
3
5a, c
KS2
2e
4b, c,
d
5g, i
KS3
2a, b
3a
5a, c
KS3
1b, d
3a, b
4i
Plenary
Use 3b.
4
Extract C
Arriving - in
England,
Belfast and
Millisle
How far did the
emotions of
refugees
change?
Which picture
best matches
Karl’s feelings?
Working in
pairs, read the
extract and do
activity 1.
Pupils complete activities 2 and 3 in pairs.
Plenary
Class discussion on qn 3b.
Historical fiction ... Faraway Home, 21
Lesson
Key questions
Starter
Activities
History
NC
PSHE
NC
5
Extract D
Karl is
mistaken for a
spy
Why was Karl
distrusted?
How can you
use historical
sources to
create historical
fiction?
Small group of
volunteers reenact the story,
focussing on the
binoculars.
Class discussion of activities 1 & 2.
In pairs do activity 3 and then compare
answers with another pair.
In groups of 4 reach a consensus of what
might have happened to Karl next and write
your story.
KS2
1a
2a, b,
c, d
3
4a, b
5a, c
KS2
2a, c, e
4a, b,
d, e, f
5g
KS3
1
2a, b,
c, d
3a, b
4a, b
5a, c
KS3
3a, b,
h
4g
None
KS2
2a, c,
e, i
4a, b,
d, e, f
5g
6
Karl’s big
problem
What was
Karl’s ‘big
problem’?
What choices
open to Karl
would you
make?
Plenary
Present stories to class in media choice.
Optional extension for activity 5. Compare stories
with what happened to Karl on pp 126-30 of
Faraway Home.
What have you
done when
faced with a ‘big
problem’ - circle
time or small
group?
In groups do activities 1a & b and agree upon
Karl’s ‘big problem’.
Individually do activities 2 & 3, roughly
noting possible choices open to Karl.
In groups thought-shower Karl’s possible
choices and decide what choice you would
make.
KS3
1d
3a
3b, h, i
4c, d,
f, g, i
Plenary
Present decisions to class in media of choice.
7
Karl’s new life
8
Fact or fiction
How do people
cope with
changing
relationships?
How far is it
important to
understand
things from
another’s point
of view?
Share with a
partner these
two questions:
What have you
felt when faced
with new people
or new
situations?
How have you
tried to cope
with them?
In pairs select the problem you want to
explore and identify cards to match that
problem.
In pairs do activity 2, using no more than 30
words.
In groups do activity 3.
How far does
reading and
writing
historical
fiction help us
to understand
the past?
Teacher models
exercise.
Use any one of the extracts from Faraway
Home and
a. underline (1) anything which the sources of
evidence support and (2) anything which the
author made up; and
b. discuss possible answers to qn 1 - how the
story of Karl helps to understand the
experience of real evacuees.
Ch show and tell any story or video set in the
past and compose ONE sentence as to what
that story or video says about the past and
ONE sentence indicating what they think was
made up.
None
Plenary
Reflect on the starter activity and discuss if it
helped you to understand Karl’s predicament
and how he dealt with it.
Plenary
Post-it session - ch fill in (different coloured)
slips, indicating ONE weakness and ONE
strength of the use of historical fiction, and
display on ‘scales chart’.
For further information, please contact:
Professor Patrick Buckland, Chairman, ‘Ireland in Schools’
19 Woodlands Road, Liverpool, L17 0AJ
Tel: 0151 727 6817; e-mail: [email protected]; website: www.irelandinschools.org.uk
KS2
1a
2c, e, f,
k
4a, b,
c, d, e,
f, g
5c, d,
g, f
KS3
1d
3b, c,
d, e, h,
i
4d, f, i
KS2
3
5a, c
KS3
3a, b
5a, c
None