Otto Gustav Rosenau: Picturing Canterbury

Otto Gustav Rosenau by Anne Ogilvie. Entry in the 2019 Christchurch City Libraries Photo Hunt. In copyright. CCL-PH19-AnOg-006.

Contributor's note: Otto Gustav Rosenau a Jewish refugee from Germany who worked with my Grandfather Max Ogilvie for a time on his orchard in Horotane valley and then went to enlist on the 26th December 1939 ( Papers Past). The paper describes the novel way in which the rally aroused interest in recruiting for the second eschelon of the special force, "with sirens shrieking, three fire engines and two traffic cars converged on Cathedral square about 7.30 on Saturday evening from all quarters of the city and a large crowd of people soon collected." Otto who had escaped as a Jewish refugee from Germany enlisted on the 29th December 1939 according to Papers Past. This photo which he sent to my Grandfather showing him in kit says "Best wishes from Otto, July 1940"

Do you have any photographs of Jewish refugees who settled in Canterbury? If so, feel free to contribute to our collection.

The Discovery Wall is a large interactive exhibition which allows several people to simultaneously explore images and stories of the history of the people and places of Christchurch. It is viewable on the ground floor of Tūranga, 60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand or on the Mobile Discovery Wall. Images displayed on the Wall can also be found on the Discovery Wall website.

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