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Overview
This is a portrait of Emil Kleinmann taken in about 1930. Emil, the second of four sons, was born in Czechowitz in 1884, but the family moved to a small village in Moravia when he was about two years old. As a young man Emil travelled to Vienna and completed a degree in mathematics, physics and chemistry. After graduating he worked for Anker Insurance, eventually becoming a director of the company.
In 1939 Emil bid farewell to his wife and only daughter as they fled Austria and the anti-Jewish legislation introduced by the German government. Emil stayed in Vienna and on 14 September 1942 was deported to Minsk in cattle wagon Da227. He was shot four days later at Maly Trostinec, and lies with tens of thousands of other victims in the regenerating forest. His name, date of birth and date of death are printed on a yellow notice which has been attached to a tree in the forest.
References:
- Riley, Lysette and Helen Riley-Duddin, 2021. Conversations and emails with curators Katie Cooper and Stephanie Gibson.
- Riley, Lysette, 2021. Unpublished biography of Lya Kleinmann, born 27 March 1921 Vienna.