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“My Gutsy Story” by Esther Goodman

by

 

Holocaust Revelations


Mom kept over sixty years of her private war locked up inside her.

Mom is a survivor.

On one of my winter visits to NY, Mom and I decided to go through her bedroom closet to organize it.

I worked the top shelf since I was taller. I found a shallow, dusty, box wedged in the back. I took the carton to her bed, where inside I found a brown, worn leather portfolio containing photographs.

“Mom, come over and sit down with me for a minute,” I said.

Mom came to the bed, and that minute turned into four hours. Inside the binder were the only photos she had after WW2. I decided then to write Mom’s story.

One particular photograph piqued my interest—a man, wearing a uniform with Royal Crests on his sleeves. On the back, he wrote,

“Meiner Lieben Rozi,

Als Erinnerung.

Ernest Finch

Eutin, Marz 1946”

“Mom, who is he?” I asked.

“He’s the soldier who saved me.” There was an awkward silence for what seemed like minutes but was only seconds.

“Ernest Finch,” she said, without turning the photo.

“Please tell me what you remember about him,” I said.

“The Germans put us on a train. I don’t know where we went. Above us, I heard the roar of planes. Suddenly, our train was bombed. My cousins and I ran toward the woods. I felt the warm, sticky feel of blood on my neck. I ran as far as I could, until I couldn’t go on. Weak and barely able to breathe, I fell to the ground. I don’t know for how long, but when I saw soldiers. I thought, ‘they’ll kill us for sure’. Next, I remember waking up in a hospital. In the corner, sitting in a chair, much like in the picture, I see him.” Mom pointed to the photo.

“He told me how his troops found us. The day was May 3, 1945. Red Cross came and took us to a hospital. He sent soldiers to stand guard daily for my safety and a few years later, he arranged for my new life in New York.”

‘I must write her story down,’ I promised myself. Living three thousand miles away, I knew this would be difficult. Over sixty years had passed. What will she want to talk about? In years past, the Spielberg Foundation approached Mom for her testimony. She declined them several times. I didn’t want to interrogate her either.

One thought gnawed at me. I must thank Ernest Finch. He deserved that much.

The story I’d like to tell you now is about my journey doing research to get mom’s memoir written.

Once back in California, my research began. I posted a note to British Army Of The Rhine, and included Finch’s photo. I posted notes and photos to the British War Museum links. I sent notes to Holocaust websites. Months passed, and I didn’t hear back from anyone. Discouraged, I kept sending information to every website related to the war effort.

Finally, I received e-mail from someone in London, England. She told me Ernest Finch was her father. My heart raced: finally all these months of research paid off. The pieces fit until she mailed photographs. Clearly, he was not the same soldier. We bonded a friendship. Ms. Finch is still searching for information on her dad. I do what I can to help.

After many months, I found a book about Muna Lubberstedt, the slave labor camp Mom was in after Auschwitz. I contacted the author. He sent me his book, written in German. Rudy Kahrs has been invaluable. He sent me copies of letters, documents, pictures and interpretation of the book. Months later, I got a response from BAOR’s website administrator. Phil wrote me, “The uniform Finch wears in the photo shows he was a Warrant Officer. He’s someone very important in his Company. I’ll do more research and get back to you.” I heard nothing more for months.

Later, an Englishman named Alan emailed me with information and book recommendations. Alan confirmed what Phil wrote. Finch was a Warrant Officer, Second Class in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Alan’s months of research led to information that Finch was once ‘Ernst Fink’, a German who fled Hitler’s Germany to go to England. After hearing this, my cousin who was with mom through the war, confirmed Finch spoke German and was Jewish.

After Australia, ‘Ernst Fink’ went to England. England sent him to France and Germany. He stayed until 1948, serving his Army as an interpreter in the Deportation Camp my mother was placed in.

For a while, information slowed down. How was I going to find him?  I wanted to thank him for saving Mom. I tried “Googling” his name but came up short.  Alan helped, but came up short too.

Later, Alan found ship registries showing Finch left England for the USA in 1948. The registry listed Ernest’s wife. I decided to “Google”, and the first isting was an obituary. Mrs. Finch died in 2007. The obituary named two nieces living in San Diego. I used social media to send messages. Two days later, I got a response back. Ernest Finch was her Uncle. He lived in San Diego till 1972, where he died. I did what I set out to do and thank Finch’s family for saving Mom on May 3, 1945.

Esther Goodman and her mom

To think; Ernest Finch, the Officer who saved my mothers life lived an hour from me. Imagine, if Finch lived and I found him after 1989, the year I moved to California? Mom came every year to visit for six weeks. Imagine if Ernest Finch and Mom reunited? I wonder to this day if it would have been wonderful, awkward or uneventful given the fact that Mom buried her secrets for so long.

I thank everyone involved for helping me connect the dots to mothers past.

Hopefully one day I can ‘Pay it Forward’.

***

Esther Goodman Bio:

Holocaust Revelations is about the journey I took gathering and researching information world wide, and the relationships I formed trying to connect the dots to my mothers past. Because Mom kept her secret from us, her children, I knew very little about what Mom went through in WW2.
Writing and researching her story  brought me closer to her and helped Mom face her past. Personally, I’ve never  attempted to write let alone finish anything I’ve ever started.  Seeing the photos that first time, prompted me to take a course in Creative Writing. There I was, a 54 year old woman with 17-year-old’s goals to write the next graphic or fantasy novel. Fearing I would bore them with historical non-fiction, I was amazed at how quickly they ate up the information they were getting from Mom’s story.
I  recently finished the first draft of the book tentatively called: Because of Sergeant Finch.
You can read Esther Goodman’s blog and join her on her Facebook page. You can also find her on Linkedin under Es Goodman.
Sonia Marsh says:
Your detective skills paid off. I do wish your mom and Ernest Finch had met. I wonder how she would have reacted. What a heart warming story, and I’m so glad you got to talk to your mom about the photo you found.

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***

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Comments

  1. Sonia Marsh says

    Thanks Esther for sharing your story on how you finally found the officer who saved your mother during WWII.

  2. Lady Fi says

    I’m still astonished by all the heartwarming stories I read about the goodness in the heart of evil during WW2.

    A lovely story. Even if the two didn’t meet up, I’m so glad you could thank his family.
    Lady Fi recently posted..Signs of loveMy Profile

  3. Tina Terrezza says

    Sometimes life seems so difficult and frustrating. Reading your story (and the story of your mothers’ survival) reminds me that all of life’s difficulties are just a matter of perspective. Our trials are trivial in comparison to what so many others have gone through. Great story Es. Thank you for sharing.

  4. HBS says

    What an amazing story of survival and kindness amidst all that darkness Es. To think your mom kept it to herself all those years. Thanks for sharing it.

  5. Lynne says

    Wow, Es, what an amazing story! I am so glad you took the challenge to write it ~ many will be blessed, for sure. I know this led you to write when it wasn’t on your radar before…but now that you have started, keep writing!
    Lynne recently posted..Passion of the ChristMy Profile

  6. Sonia Marsh says

    Glad to see how your story has touched people. That’s what I love about the “My Gutsy Story” series; each one shares an inspirational journey. Thanks Es.

  7. Alan Yates says

    Es, I am still here. Still regulary surfing the net for those elusive pieces of the jigsaw that we both haven’t yet found, which are missing from Ernst Fink’s/Ernest Finch’s life story prior to that memorable day in May 1945, when Ernst saved your Mom’s life from the train which had been mistakenly bombed by the Allies.

    • Es Goodman says

      Alan Yates, Thank you again. I don’t know how I would have completed the story without you!

  8. Tony Floyd Kenna says

    what an amazing story Es. The thoughtful intervention of one man means that we are blessed to have you here with us today. Life and survival are so fragile. This has stirred me to think again about a couple of incidents where my own existence might have been prevented. My Father’s Father was put against a wall to be shot by the occupying forces here but apparently one officer intervened and he survived. Also my Mother’s Mother’s family home was regularly raided and the victims of these raids were sometimes killed but thankfully she survived. Unfortunately other relatives of the time were murdered and so I can only wonder who is ‘missing’ from the extended family.
    But enough about me, one of the most important lessons we can all learn is that ‘one person can make a difference’. Thank you for bringing this story to us Es. I am so glad that your Mom go thru’ those terrible times and lived to bring you to us. T.

    • Es Goodman says

      Wow Tony, You have touched my heart again…first thru your songs and lyrics and now this. I know you have a story in you. Why don’t you enter your wordpress story too.

  11. Vimmy says

    Hey Es! This is a great piece! Im so excited to read your work and the story of your mom. Epic! 🙂

  14. Sonia Marsh says

    Es, You’re really getting tons of comments for your great story.
    I’m very happy for you.

  16. Alexarrie says

    I have never read any great story just like this Es. I salute you and you are my inspiration! Being brave is not ordinary to people so I am really inspired with this…
    Alexarrie recently posted..Dealing With A Panic AttackMy Profile

  17. Donald V. Smith says

    Your story is very much interesting and by the way your website layout is cool I hope you can update your blog and for sure, we will be happy to read it. Thanks that you shared.I love this link up; so thanks for hosting!
    Donald V. Smith recently posted..Buy BoilxMy Profile

  22. Maggie says

    What an amazing story, Esther. Amazing for so many reasons….like your mum never talking about her past, like you finding the photo all because you wanted to help clear the closet, like you being detective in order to write your mum’s story and to thank the man/his relatives.
    I think you have paid it forward in a way by writing the story, by contacting Ernest Finch’s relatives plus helping Ms Finch in England.
    But most of all you make us remember that whatever we aspire to in life nothing is more important than kindness.
    Maggie recently posted..A love story in 50 words including the title.My Profile

  23. MuMuGB says

    An amazing story. Your mom never talked about what had happened to protect you and move on. She is indeed a survivor. It is great that you found Mr Fink’s family, your story is a tribute to him, and this world needs more people like him!
    MuMuGB recently posted..It’s Raining, It’s PouringMy Profile

  24. Beryl says

    Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Beryl recently posted..found thisMy Profile

  26. cher webber says

    I have enjoyed your kindness and music for quite some time now, Esther. It is wonderful to see this creative, courageous side of you, as well. Your peristance alone is an inspiration.

    My father, as well, would not talk about his service in the war until his last few years, and then, that was just about all he wanted to talk about. All of our lives we did not know he spent a day and a night as a POW, and that they heard the bagpipes of the kilted Scottish “Ladies from Hell,” before they saw them come over the hill to the rescue.

    All of his life, we did not know he was one of the soldiers that came to free the prisoners at a Concentration Camp. Why would he keep that a secret all his life? I would have thought he would have been proud.

    “But he told me, “No honey, what I saw made me ashamed to be a part of the human race. I never wanted to tell anyone, especially my children.

    It took courage to chase down your mother’s story, and I applaud you for that. I only know bits and pieces of my father’s, there was so much that he still chose to keep inside.

    • Es Goodman says

      Cher, I am speechless, Imagine that! God Bless your father for the great deeds he did. Thank you for your amazing vote of confidence.

  28. Zack Elliott says

    Hi… Check out a Brand New Book out this may called
    “The Final Mission” by Henry Supchak and Liz Hoban!!

    Wonderful True World War 2 Hero Story …

    Thinks it’s going to be a MOVIE!!
    Good Luck Es

    Whacky Zacky

    • Es Goodman says

      Thank Zack, so nice to hear from you. How are you doing? Thanks for all your support.

  30. Siv Maria says

    There are so many incredible stories from WW2. My mother grew up in Nazi occupied Norway and her stories are amazing. Thank you for sharing your mothers story.
    Siv Maria recently posted..First LovesMy Profile

    • Es Goodman says

      Thank you Siv Marie. Please write your mother’s stories down…it’s so important to keep that part of history alive…

  34. Sonia Marsh says

    Thanks for all your comments Pennie. I agree with what you said regarding Es and her detective work.

    • Es Goodman says

      Thanks so much Sonia. I love this website and I look forward to your book.

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