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| A complete cast lead seal matrix, of Medieval date (c. 1250 - c.1350 AD). |
"Survivor Henry Gronow was one of several Jewish soldiers from Radziejow. He was drafted into the Polish Army in 1934. He served in a Polish cavalry unit. In 1937 he was discharged. After Germany annexed Austria in 1938, Hitler turned his megalomaniac thoughts towards peaceful Czechoslovakia. Soon thereafter, after purporting that Germans living there were in some sort of danger, the German army occupied the Sudetenland, located in Western Czechoslovakia. It became clear to the government of Poland that Hitler's megalomania was focused on their country. As a result, Gronow was recalled to active duty. Within a few months he was again discharged from service. On the day of the German invasion of Poland he was recalled yet again to serve in the reserves. After three weeks of combat he was captured by the Germans. He spent six months at the POW Camp Stalag 2A that was located near Brandenburg, Germany. In March 1940 he was taken to Lublin, Poland and released. When he made his way back to Radziejow he first learned that the beloved long serving mayor was removed from office and replaced by a German Burgermeister. He remembered his first impression of the town after arriving. He aptly described the town as “dead”. He observed that his fellow Jews who many were his relatives were fearful and fearfully awaited the unspoken inevitable.
"Even more surprising, despite the dangers involved, Jews were still getting married. For example, Ms. Kazin Fox and Radziejow Survivor Henry Gronow courted during the occupation. Fox then insisted on the marriage because the courting period was over. So an informal ceremony was performed by Meir Levine, who was a religious Jew but he was not an ordained rabbi. Unfortunately their marriage was short lived for within four years Fox was murdered at the extermination camp infamously known as Auschwitz."
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| Johan and Johannah's marriage record. "Gronow" and "Fischer" are underlined. From microfilm #0069316, page 384, at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah |
To read the full post please visit her Blog and enjoy the rest of this fascinating story Johann Friederich Heinrich GronowIn the 1840s, about 100,000 German emigrants arrived in America each year. In 1848, “when it seemed that Germany might be at last a place worth living in,” that number was cut in half. But hopes were dashed, and emigration swelled. Throughout the 1850s, more than 250,000 Germans arrived annually on US shores.1 “By 1900, almost one third of people born in Mecklenburg lived outside of the state.”2 “These emigrants were the best of their race – the adventurous, the independent, the men who might have made Germany a free and civilized county. They brought to the United States a contribution on inestimable value, but they were lost to Germany.”3Among the waves of immigrants came several of my ancestors, including Johann Friederich Heinrich Gronow, his wife, Johannah Maria (Fischer) Gronow, and some of their children. But why emigrate?
A Great War Military MBE Belgian Order of The Crown Group of 5 awarded to Q.M & Capt. Joseph Henry Gronow Moses, comprising The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, Hallmarked for 1919, in case issued by Garrard & Co; 1914-1915 Star (2871 Quater Master Sgt Joseph Henry Gronow Moses. York Dns.); 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Capt. J.H.G.Moses); Belgium, Order of the Crown, Knight’s Breast Badge, with silver palm.
"Their sufferings will be great and it is to us that they will look for comfort and relief. That comfort must not be denied them.” |
Pontyclun Institute/hospital during WW1, where members of the Llantwit Fardre Red Cross attended on servicemen c.1916
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Serving on board HMS Royal Sovereign was John Gronow a Marine Private (Ship's pay book number: (ML 36)1 March 1805 Catalogue reference: ADM 36/15755)
Reminiscences of Captain Rees Howell Gronow,
Formerly of the Grenadier Guards, and M.P. for Stafford.
"It has been my lot to have lived through the greater part of one of the
most eventful centuries of England's history, and I have been thrown
amongst most of the remarkable men of my day; whether soldiers,
statesman, men of letters, theatrical people, or those whose birth and
fortune--rather, perhaps, than their virtues or talents--have caused
them to be conspicuous in society at home or abroad. Nature having
endowed me with a strong memory, I can recall with all their original
vividness scenes that took place fifty years ago, and distinctly
recollect the face, walk, and voice, as well as the dress and general
manner, of everyone whom I have known. I have frequently repeated to my
friends what I have seen and heard since the year that I joined the
Guards (1813), and have been urged to commit to paper my anecdotes and
reminiscences."
Listen to a description of the Battle read by Joseph W. Gronow
