Tribute to Dr Hans Freund
by his wife Kitty Freund
Dr Hans Freund who died on 18th November 2007 was a man of many accomplishments and talents. He influenced a great number of young people by his teaching and gave pleasure with his music both in London and SA to young and old. He always intended to write about his adventurous life but only got as far as the title which was to be called ”My Three Passports”.
He was born in Berlin in 1910. His father ran a store specializing in linens and materials. His two uncles were Rabbis, the one in Berlin, the other in Hanover. Both held major positions. His grandfather was the Director of Weissensee, the largest Jewish Cemetery in Europe. Hans always loved music in all its forms. As a boy, he sang in the synagogue choir something he was to do all his life. He studied violin with a pupil of Joachim and delighted in playing the Harmonica especially on country walks. Hans studied German Literature and Philosophy at the Universities of Berlin, Greifsweld and Freiburg where he gained his doctorate a few months after Hitler came to power. At his father’s suggestion Hans came to England which he already knew and taught temporarily at University College London.
At this time Hans met Kitty, his future wife, at a Jewish social dance. Unfortunately the Aliens Act meant that foreigners were not allowed to earn money in England, so Hans accepted an offer of a passage and work in South Africa. His father had always hoped to join him there. But when Hans arrived in SA he was told that his father had died while Hans was on the boat. In 1936 and 1937, Hans worked in a large Johannesburg store opening boxes as a packer and later became a Commercial traveler in the Orange Free State and the Northern Transvaal incidentally learning to converse in Afrikaans.
By the time Kitty had come as an exchange teacher to SA, Hans had acquired enough money to attend the Witwatersrand University to qualify for a Government Teacher’s Diploma and obtained post at the famous Gymnasium School Pretoria. Famous because Winston Churchill had been imprisoned there during the Boer War.
After they were married came the outbreak of the 2nd World War. Hans volunteered for the South African Army to fight fascism. He joined as a private but was soon seconded to the newly formed Information Corps, beginning as a first Lieutenant and ending the war as a Captain. The first South African Brigade soon went up to North Africa and “Lieutenant Harold Friend” went with them. At the battle of Sidi Rezegh, Rommel’s forces surprised and captured all members of the Brigade Head Quarters. Hans was wounded and taken prisoner and held at the field Hospital prison.
Shortly after this, Hans made a daring escape in a reclaimed British Army Lorry posing next to the driver as a vociferous German officer and taking with him at least 20 New Zealand soldiers hidden away at the back. The story of his escape was published in many newspapers at that time.
After taking early retirement, the family decided to return to London, England. In 1966 both Hans and Kitty took up their careers as Teachers. Hans at Hendon County School and Kitty at the Main Grey College of Education. When Hans finally retired, he still continued part time teaching at the Yehudi Menuhim Music School and at harrow Public School teaching the Jewish boys. He was active in Ajex (Association of Jewish Ex-servicemen) and in the New London Synagogue Choir of Rabbi Jacobs for many years. He organized and sang in about every possible North London venue concert so that the audiences always listened to new songs from his wide repertoire in many languages.
He leaves his wife Kitty, to whom he was married for 68 years, son David, daughter in law Nina and granddaughter Leah, his daughter Erica, granddaughters Louisa and Ester. His only grandson Jeremiah Duggan died in 2003.
A final quote from a friend – “He had a great zest for life. He transformed so many of our lives with the joy of his music – and uplifted our minds as an inspiring educator.
by his wife Kitty Freund
Dr Hans Freund who died on 18th November 2007 was a man of many accomplishments and talents. He influenced a great number of young people by his teaching and gave pleasure with his music both in London and SA to young and old. He always intended to write about his adventurous life but only got as far as the title which was to be called ”My Three Passports”.
He was born in Berlin in 1910. His father ran a store specializing in linens and materials. His two uncles were Rabbis, the one in Berlin, the other in Hanover. Both held major positions. His grandfather was the Director of Weissensee, the largest Jewish Cemetery in Europe. Hans always loved music in all its forms. As a boy, he sang in the synagogue choir something he was to do all his life. He studied violin with a pupil of Joachim and delighted in playing the Harmonica especially on country walks. Hans studied German Literature and Philosophy at the Universities of Berlin, Greifsweld and Freiburg where he gained his doctorate a few months after Hitler came to power. At his father’s suggestion Hans came to England which he already knew and taught temporarily at University College London.
At this time Hans met Kitty, his future wife, at a Jewish social dance. Unfortunately the Aliens Act meant that foreigners were not allowed to earn money in England, so Hans accepted an offer of a passage and work in South Africa. His father had always hoped to join him there. But when Hans arrived in SA he was told that his father had died while Hans was on the boat. In 1936 and 1937, Hans worked in a large Johannesburg store opening boxes as a packer and later became a Commercial traveler in the Orange Free State and the Northern Transvaal incidentally learning to converse in Afrikaans.
By the time Kitty had come as an exchange teacher to SA, Hans had acquired enough money to attend the Witwatersrand University to qualify for a Government Teacher’s Diploma and obtained post at the famous Gymnasium School Pretoria. Famous because Winston Churchill had been imprisoned there during the Boer War.
After they were married came the outbreak of the 2nd World War. Hans volunteered for the South African Army to fight fascism. He joined as a private but was soon seconded to the newly formed Information Corps, beginning as a first Lieutenant and ending the war as a Captain. The first South African Brigade soon went up to North Africa and “Lieutenant Harold Friend” went with them. At the battle of Sidi Rezegh, Rommel’s forces surprised and captured all members of the Brigade Head Quarters. Hans was wounded and taken prisoner and held at the field Hospital prison.
Shortly after this, Hans made a daring escape in a reclaimed British Army Lorry posing next to the driver as a vociferous German officer and taking with him at least 20 New Zealand soldiers hidden away at the back. The story of his escape was published in many newspapers at that time.
After taking early retirement, the family decided to return to London, England. In 1966 both Hans and Kitty took up their careers as Teachers. Hans at Hendon County School and Kitty at the Main Grey College of Education. When Hans finally retired, he still continued part time teaching at the Yehudi Menuhim Music School and at harrow Public School teaching the Jewish boys. He was active in Ajex (Association of Jewish Ex-servicemen) and in the New London Synagogue Choir of Rabbi Jacobs for many years. He organized and sang in about every possible North London venue concert so that the audiences always listened to new songs from his wide repertoire in many languages.
He leaves his wife Kitty, to whom he was married for 68 years, son David, daughter in law Nina and granddaughter Leah, his daughter Erica, granddaughters Louisa and Ester. His only grandson Jeremiah Duggan died in 2003.
A final quote from a friend – “He had a great zest for life. He transformed so many of our lives with the joy of his music – and uplifted our minds as an inspiring educator.