Gloucester Association for Aiding Refugees

The Gloucester Association for Aiding refugees (GAAR) was formed in February 1939 to launch and oversee a local scheme for the reception and care of refugees from the Nazi regime in central Europe and to administer funds raised locally for the purpose. The Gloucester branch of the National Council of Women (from whom the initial impetus for the scheme had come) provided the nucleus of committee members and other organisations were also invited to appoint members

A number of the records in this archive concern the hostel at 18 Alexandra Road which the Association opened in June 1939. The hostel provided a home for 10 German Jewish boys aged from 12 to 14, and their wardens Dr Paul Arnstein and his wife, also refugees. The hostel was closed in December 1941 and the boys were boarded out with local families although the Association continued to oversee their care and provide financial support

As shown by many of the papers below, the GAAR made every effort to find temporary and permanent homes locally for both adult and child refugees. This work increased in 1940 when the Movement for the Care of Children from Germany was de-centralised and GAAR was asked to take an interest in all refugee children placed within their area

The records include some items written in German

Some records were given references while part of the Gloucestershire Collection. These are given in round brackets after the item description

Documents given by the Gloucestershire Collection, Gloucester Library per Christine Turton, 26 July 1996 (Acc. 7501)