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Gathering The Voices

Gathering The Voices

testimony from men and women who sought sanctuary in Scotland to escape the racism of Nazi-dominated Europe

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Sidney Mayer – Settling In

Sidney describes his family life and the tragic deaths of his two wives.

INT: When did you get married Sidney?

SM: I got married for the first time in 1952.

INT: And where did you meet your partner? Where did you meet your partner?

SM: Well, in cafes, you know. In those days we used to go to the Jewish Institute and cafes and that’s how we met.

INT: And she was a local Jewish, Glasgow girl?

SM: Yes. Cohen her name was. And unfortunately she was, she took ill quite a lot and she had a load of surgery, operations and she was alone in the house, wanted to take a bath and unfortunately fainted and drowned in the bath.

INT: Oh that was…

INT: Terrible.

INT: …terrible.

10

SM: That was in 1970.

INT: Right, that’s terrible.

INT: Did you have any children with her?

SM: Two children, I’ve a daughter and a son.

INT: I see.

INT: And I think you married again did you?

SM: And then I married again in 1972. And I married a divorcee with a daughter and unfortunately nine years ago she also had an accident. She was run over with a lorry on the Ayr road.

INT: You’ve been very unfortunate. You’ve been very unfortunate.

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SM: Yes. I’ve been unfortunate and fortunate, some of each.

INT: Yes, I suppose that’s the human condition. I suppose that’s the human condition.

SM: Yes.

INT: A bit of both.

INT: And what are your children doing now Sydney?

SM: My daughter is married and my son, he is a taxi driver. He has a black ‘hack’. Alan Meyer, he’s quite well known and he’s a good golfer.

INT: Oh yes, yes.

INT: When you first came to Glasgow were you involved with other refugees?

30

SM: Not really. Only one, one boy, he lived in Newton Mearns and I was friendly with him. He was the only… but we always spoke English. And he emigrated to Australia not long after the war. So that was that. I never associated with German people at all while I was here.

INT: And do you, did you regret that? Had you any wish to mix with other people who had come from similar backgrounds to you?

SM: I didn’t then, no. I do now but I didn’t then. I didn’t then, no.

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Listen to the Testimony

https://gtvbeta.jacb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/sidney-mayer-settling-in.mp3Press the play button to listen

Links to Other Testimonies by Sidney Mayer

Life Before The War
Life During The War
Immigration
Settling In
Reflection On Life

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The Gathering the Voices Association is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered Scottish Charity Number: SC047809

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