Enest Martin Haurwitz wrote to his son & grandchildren in 1992
Changed his surname to Ernest Martin Horton in 1954.
CHILDHOOD HOME of Enest Martin Haurwitz
I was born in Liegnitz, Silesia, Germany. I lived in an apartment house on the fifth floor. I shared a room with my older brother, Heinz. From the window I could see streets lined with other houses.
PARENTS & FAMILY
My father died when I was two days old. He had served in the German Army during World War I. I was told I looked like my father but I behaved like my mother. She taught me by good example. My Grandpa taught me more about life and how to behave than just about anyone. I've always had a close relationship with my brother and sister even though we've been separated for so long. I've always realised how lucky I am not to have lost my family during the war.
EARLY MEMORIES
I liked playing with Meccano sets and collecting stamps and I read a lot. Silent Movies started when I was twelve years old. I liked playing football. I remember going on holidays to my grandparents house in Jastrow and to the Baltik Sea. I can remember cycling to the forest and having picnics.
My Grandfather was a very witty and wise man. He had a great influence on my life. I can still remember him teaching many sayings for all occassions. Some of them are:
"If people talk too much, in the end they talk rubbish"
"You should think well before you answer"
"Thank heavens that fool is not mine"
SCHOOL & EDUCATION
Finished Primary School and went to Gymnasium (High School).
I went two afternoons a week to a Jewish school to learn Hebrew. I had my Bar mitzvah in Leignitz. After High School I was an Electrical Engineer's Apprentice, and I went to a Technical College.
JEWISH LIFE
I can remember going to Shabbat Services on Holy days, and going on Jewish Scout Camps. My favourite Jewish Holiday was Pesach because it was great fun.
ADULT LIFE
My family and I were very fortunate to have escaped Germany in time. We fled to what we thought was far enough away from the war to the Philippines. We were safe there until the Japanese who were allies to the Germans arrived. We had a difficult time being "Jewish" enemies and managed to hide out the war. I arrived in Australia to start a new life and met Nina. I worked hard in many businesses and finally settled in Canberra when Steven was four years old to establish a Timber store.
Our children lived very busy lives and had the best that we could provide; except for the fact that both Nina and I worked very hard in our respective businesses. I worked hard for the establishment of the Jewish Community and its National Centre in Canberra. For numerous years, I held the office of the President and Treasurer of the Canberra Jewish Community. I often held or arranged briefings for other Jewish organisations wishing to meet government and Israeli officials. I had great pleasure in being the President of the Canberra East Rotary Club and being honoured by my fellow Rotarians. I am now looking forward to retirement after all I am 76 years old. I wish to spend more time with my grandchildren and perhaps helping slow learners at Canberra's primary schools.
We have been on many interesting adventures and my collection of slides can show that. I have an interest in stamps and look forward to sorting them out. I have led a very hard working but rewarding life and been very mindful to give my children the fatherly support that I was deprived of.
