Herbert, Erna, Zigmund & Eddie Norenbergs

Story

Early in 1943 the Norenbergs family fled their native land Latvia to escape the Russian invasion. With forged papers Father Herbert, Mother Erna, sons Zigmund and Ullis (now known as Eddie) and Ernas father Ernesto Eigners travelled by fishing trawler across the Baltic Sea to Germany where they lived to see the end of the war in 1945.

Being trapped in the Russian zone of Germany, the family were smuggled out across the border to the British zone hidden under a tarpaulin by friendly U.S soldiers.

The next few years were spend living in displaced person camps and in 1948, having no wish to return to Soviet-occupied Latvia or remain in war-torn Germany, a choice of other countries to settle in needed to be made. The family had to choose 3 they would prefer and the choice was Canada, U.S.A and Chile but the authorities disregarded these and stamped their papers ‘To Australia’.

On 25 September 1948 the ‘Svalbard’ (an ex German cargo ship, mine sweeper and commerce raider converted to carry passengers) left Bremerhaven with the family amongst 900 other displaced persons.

Shipboard life had no frills. Men and women were segregated (even the married ones). Zigmund (9 years) slept in the mens quarters with his father and Eddie (5 years) with his mother in the womens. Sleeping was in single bunks and there certainly wasn\’t any privacy. There was no airconditioning and whilst crossing the equator sleeping was permitted outside on the deck. Tropical fruit was available and for the first time the children tasted bananas, oranges and watermelon.

On 29 October 1948 the Norenbergs family disembarked at Darling Harbour in Sydney and the next day were taken by train to Bathurst Migrants camp. Here, Herbert and Erna were given basic lessons in the English language and the Australian way of life. After approximately 6 weeks they were moved to Bonegilla Migrant camp near Albury.

Herbert was sent to various places to work away from the camp and Erna helped out in the kitchens.

Herbert’s final move by the government was in 1950 to Canberra to work as a farm hand on Charlie Russell’s farm at Red Hill where the family joined him from Bonegilla. He then went to work on Killmartins pig farm at Narrabundah.

When the governments work requirements had been fulfilled the family were permitted to remain and live in Australia which they were only too happy to do. They stayed in the Canberra area living in Uriarra and Queanbeyan and in 1956 finally settled in Canberra.

Initial Impressions of Australia

Australia?? We had no idea such a country existed.

On board the ship we were told Australian\’s spoke English, that there were Aborigines, funny looking animals and lots of sharks. A black and white film was shown but we couldn\’t understand it as the narration was in English and we could only speak Latvian or German.

We were thankful that we had survived the war and that we were together as a family. The future could only be brighter than what we had experienced in Europe.

The children took to Australia like ducks to water and treated the change as a game. Herbert and Erna had difficulty with the English language but this could be overcome with time. We were happy to have the freedom to be able to meet and talk with our other Latvian friends and to retain our Latvian heritage.

We found the land was immense. Farm houses were miles apart. Trees and vegetation did not have the greens we were used to. No pine forests and no pretty flowers growing in the fields. There was a lack of natural water ie inland lakes and rivers and we were overcome by the heat in summer though the winters were nowhere near as cold as in Europe.

Ample food was available in the camp. White bread was a surprise change and it was great to be able to lather on margarine and jam (two only available Ð plum and apricot). No coffee but plenty of tea, meat and 3 veg (mainly mutton).

The Australians were generally friendly and helpful. Herbert who was a motor mechanic by trade had regular work and his pay packet was making life a little easier. We remained optimistic of the future and had no wish to return to Europe.

To this day I give thanks that our papers in Europe were marked ‘To Australia’.

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