Story of my great grandfather and his brother
In the second half of the 19th century, purges. known as “pogroms”, were common in parts of the Russian empire, especially in those towns and cities that are now in modern Ukraine.
Young men were kidnapped and pressganged into the Russian Imperial army, women were raped and murdered. In 1881, during one of the worst purges, 40 people were reported killed.
Fortunately, by then, two brothers from Mariupol, Frank and Abraham, had already fled and had crossed Europe to London where they first found sanctuary.
They soon moved north, to Leeds and later Frank moved again to Newcastle. In those days, before the welfare state, they relied on the kindness and support of the local communities and this was generously given and appreciated.
In due course, these communities became their own communities and they themselves, their children and subsequent generations began to contribute both socially and culturally as well as economically to those cities that had welcomed them.
The support network they first encountered and the feelings of safety, hope and comfort are surely the most profound definition of a safe new “home.”
Frank went on to become a master tailor specialising in the design and manufacture of magicians’ tailcoats with concealed seams and pockets into which rabbits, birds, flowers and handkerchiefs could be hidden to appear as if by magic on both sides of the Atlantic.
Over the years, the brothers’ children and grandchildren spread across the north of England and settled in Bradford, Hull, Huddersfield and Dewsbury and some crossed the Pennines to Manchester, Liverpool and the Isle of Man.
Of course, their experiences were not unique and many waves of refugees have reached our shores since then.
We should all be proud of the way that Britain and Yorkshire in particular has opened its doors, arms and heart to so many who have established their own new homes here.
Indeed, Bradford is now the home of the largest Ukrainian community in the UK outside London.
Now, 150 years after Frank and Abraham arrived, history is repeating itself as there is yet another influx in search of new safe homes.
The welcome extended to this new group in countries across Europe is impressive and we should not be coy about recognising this publicly despite claims of tardiness in organising the visa application procedures.
We should respect the enormous efforts made by individuals and groups and revere them for their efforts to facilitate a difficult transition for so many from a happy, peaceful life to a war and an enormous exodus. The brothers were so fortunate to have escaped when they did and carve out a new life in their new homes.
If they had not, I would not be here today as Abraham was my great grandfather and Frank my great, great uncle.
Today, new stories just like theirs are being told in real time, just as they are happening. The main difference is that Frank and Abraham never wanted to return to Mariupol but nearly all of the refugees today cannot wait to get back home.
Whilst their very concept of “home” is under such daily threat, we should remind ourselves that we are so privileged to be able to offer peace, safety and hope. Surely this is exactly what a “home” really means.