Page 27

Willi is about 19 here

Bremen

Willi moves via Hamburg to Bremen and starts at the Winkler ladies' salon, 1 November 1925

Diary page 27

Translated from Willi's German.

Bremen. When I left Wilhelmshaven I travelled straight to Hamburg. On the way I got to know the Lueneburg Heath, whose bleakness I marvelled at. On arriving I sought out the journeymen's hostel, where I was given a friendly welcome. I stayed eight days in Hamburg, looking for work but rather more looking at the sights. I saw almost the whole of Hamburg, and I had also found pleasant company. All too quickly the time was up, and I had to start in Bremen on 1 November 1925. I got the position through my friend Kurt. I presented myself and did a work trial, but I failed it; the boss, however, took me along to the firm of Winkler, where I was taken on. It was a specialist ladies' salon run by Frau Winkler, while Herr Winkler was an architect. The staff was made up entirely of women: Fraeulein Berge, Fraeulein Meier, Tegmeier and Koch. I settled in fairly quickly and was soon popular, mainly through my bob-cutting and handiwork, so that I soon had the finest life at the shop, all the more since Herr Winkler was very generous. I took a great part in the entertainment and bustle of Bremen, especially when one was here. Kurt, with whom I got on well the whole time,

People: Willi Distel, Kurt, Frau Winkler, Herr Winkler, Berge, Meier, Koch

Places: Wilhelmshaven, Lueneburger Heide, Hamburg, Bremen

Interesting facts