Reference
X214/12/27
Title
Transcript of interview with Veronika Muzsnyai, nee Herczeg, born 22 June 1933 in Szolnok, Hungary.
Date free text
28 Aug 2007
Production date
From: 1933 To: 2007
Scope and Content
In Hungary lived in a twin house with uncle and his family.
Went to nursery. Started school at age 7. Did 4 years of school and then the Russians came and did not go back to school till 1945, when went to upper school. Started to learn German, but then German and English were banned. Russian was compulsory. Finished school aged 14. Had to go out to work so finished school year 8 at evening classes.
Father worked in the town hall in Szolnok.
Could not do any further education as needed to work due to the inflation.
Got married aged 16 and had 2 chldren. Son died in 1993. Marriage did not work out.
When the uprising was coming Veronika was working in a shoe factory and working to divorce husband.
Has three children from second marriage.
Left Hungary and was 3 months in a camp in Austria before coming to England. Describes events and journey.
Stayed at a refugee camp at Hednesford for 7 months. Worked as a church attendant and cleaner and [second] husband was working as a gardener. Were then taken to Aylesbury and a camp at Wister Road. Worked in a factory making TV aerials. Got laid off and worked for a few months in another factory, before going back to the TV aerial factory for 6-7 months, beford being laid off again. Then went to work for the Randag family. They had 11 children and a very big house. The work was very hard. When son Stefan was born, Veronika returned to work and the family looked after Stefan.
Describes Stefan falling down steps at Marylebone Station and suffering concussion and broken wrist and arm. The Randag family were very kind and came to collect them from London.
Recalls a German man who had been a prisoner of war who also worked for the Randag family.
Moved to Conway Road, Luton in 1968; stayed there till 1971.
Went to Hungary to visit.
The house in Conway Road was in poor condition. Moved to Salisbury Road, but that was also in poor condition - dirty and full of maggots. Neighbour helped to clean it.
Describes the situation in Romania before leaving; husband had been a political prisoner and could not get work. Veronika was accused of someting and had to leave; told to leave son at nursery and not look back. Could not bring her 2 children as husband would not sign the papers.
Various jobs in Luton. Racism suffered at George Kent Ltd. Worked at British Homes Stores, Woolworth, Littlewoods, Tesco, and the Post Office. Started sorting letters, and doing industrial cleaning there at night as the pay was higher. Has never been out of work. Retired from the post office and has a pension she can live on.
Most friends are English. Does not want Hungarian friends as 'every sort of people' came out of Hungary, including criminals.
Has raised money to send to Hungary.
Describes work at the Post Office and perks of other jobs.
Hungarian Club - Veronika used to help make food, wah up etc., but it was hard work and others made no effort, so she gave it up.
Increase in crime in the UK since arrival. Thinks parents are not strict enough with their children.
Would not go back to Hungary to live, but only for holidays.
Participant requested restrictions on access. Specific consent required prior to production.
Reference
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