3rd April 1946
Mi.P783 II

Correspondence to reverse:

'Dear Brother Gapp! Through Brother Baudest I heard of you and your intention to come across the Atlantic. I should very much like to see you then and learn all about you and your family. May I ask you to give or let me know the following addresses: of your son Samuel V. Gapp, of mu uncle Athur E. Francke, of his son Arthur, and of my cousin Aruim [?] Francke? I remember the peacful days which I spent in your hospitable home - how far seem those times? - I've lost everything, of course, my family was evacuated from Niesky, and now I am looking for a job. My mother, who had remained at [place name?] to attend a widow, died in a burning house, while G. was occupied by the Russians. My best regards to you and your family. Yours ever, Walter D. Franke.'

Link to an article that includes Samuel Gapp and the Moravian Church in Bethlehem

Reinstatement of foreign mail from Germany

HC Deb 01 April 1946 vol 421 c831831

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd) With the permission of the House, I should like to make a brief statement on international postal services to and from Germany. These have been resumed, and will operate between Germany and all countries except Japan and its dependencies and Spain. The service is, for the present, limited to letters up to 10z. in weight and to non-illustrated postcards. Only messages of a personal and domestic nature may be sent; no business correspondence is yet allowed. All mail will be subject to censorship in Germany.

Mr. William Williams Can the hon. Gentleman say anything with regard to the organisation of the trade union connected with the postal service in Germany?

Mr. Hynd I am afraid I do not appreciate the full import of the question. It does not seem to relate to the reintroduction of the postal services.

Mr. Williams I should like to know what form of organisation this is taking. Is it to be worked by German workers? If so, are they organised in the manner in which they used to be before the Nazi days?

Mr. Hynd That is a rather wider matter. I do not think that it is connected with this question. Of course, the postal workers in Germany are being organised in trade unions.

Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton Does that apply equally to all four zones in Germany?

Mr. Hynd This refers to the postal services between Germany and the outside world.

Mr. Sydney Silverman On what date will the services come into operation?

Mr. Hynd They are already in operation.

Captain Francis Noel-Baker What authority will carry out the censorship?

Mr. Hynd The censorship will be carried out under the responsibility of the occupying authorities.

Source: Hansard

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