item details
NameLya Kleinmann
ProductionUnknown; photographer; circa 1944; London
Classificationphotographs
DimensionsSupport: 115mm (width), 167mm (height)
Registration NumberO.051197
Credit lineGift of Lya Riley, 2022
Overview
This photograph, taken in about 1944, shows Lya Kleinmann in military uniform. Lya and her mother Eugenie fled Austria in 1939 and lived in Hampstead throughout the Second World War (1939-1945). Lya joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service – the women’s branch of the British Army – in 1941 and was stationed in various places around Britain. She returned to civilian life in 1946 and her army record notes exemplary military conduct. She was awarded the Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-1945.
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 Unpublished biography of Lya Kleinmann, born 27 March 1921 Vienna.