Eva Frean

Born: 1925

Place of Birth: Vienna

Arrived in Britain: 01/09/1938

Interview Number: RV204

Interview Summary

Date of interview: 28/03/2017

Eva Frean was born Eva Reichenfeld in Vienna in 1925. She had an older brother called Hans and lived in the 3. District. Her father was a doctor and ran a surgery in their flat. She recalls that very poor patients were treated by her father. Her mother had studied law but then got married. She went to school in the 2. Bezirk. She recalls seeing the Nazi marches outside her window.

Place of Birth

And I had three suitcases and a pair of skis when I came to England. [laughs]...Well I’d had one skiing holiday with the school and this skis- this pair of skis had actually been given to me by somebody who no longer wanted them. But [laughs] it does seem rather ridiculous that there I came with- and in those days you could arrange for luggage to be sent… on my train. And so these three suitcases and my skis did arrive in London, much to my surprise.

skis coming with her to london

[we lived] In the Third District in a main road Radetzkystraße. It was a main road and because of that, really, I was quite aware of what was going on. Because through the streets you had the Nazis marching up and down before Hitler came, and after of course, so you knew what was going on and really quite terrifying at times.

awareness of Nazi rallies

Do I remember the Anschluss? Yes, I do, and I remember sitting around the radio and hear- hearing Schuschnigg telling you, you know, that was the end or whatever he said. I can’t remember now. But yes, I do remember that. And it made me really rather scared.

remembering the Anschluss

And I had three suitcases and a pair of skis when I came to England. [laughs]...Well I’d had one skiing holiday with the school and this skis- this pair of skis had actually been given to me by somebody who no longer wanted them. But [laughs] it does seem rather ridiculous that there I came with- and in those days you could arrange for luggage to be sent… on my train. And so these three suitcases and my skis did arrive in London, much to my surprise.

changing her name