Heinz Ludwig Süssmann was born into a Jewish family in Breslau (Wrocław) on 24 October 1911 son of Alexander Süssmann, who had apparently died while Heinz was still young, and Rosalie Süssmann née Landsberger. After attending  Realgymnasium in Breslau he later completed a business studies apprenticeship at a textile firm in the city where he learnt all aspects of the business specialising ultimately in bookkeeping. 

In the aftermath of the November pogrom 9/ 10 November 1938, he was incarcerated in Buchenwald Concentration camp from 11 November 1938 to 11 January 1939. It is assumed that he was given the option to leave Germany and like many other refugees from Nazi Germany apparently landed in Kitchener camp for refugees in Kent. The first correspondence is a postcard from his mother dated 1.9.1939 to Heinz at Kitchener camp. 

At some point in the 1930s he married Margot Hiller, born 14 March 1913 in Leobschutz, Upper Silesia. Most of the correspondence (1939-1942) in the collection is from Margot and Heinz’s mother (1897/3-46), both of whom perished in the Holocaust. His mother was deported to Izbica on 13 April 1942 and Margot was deported to Auschwitz on 21 October 1942.

Within the correspondence there is mention of other possible relatives: Hans in Chicago and Hilde with Heinz in London. There is also a letter to Heinz from his uncle, Hugo Landsberger, who writes from Berlin on 20 October 1947. It is not known how he survived the war. A telegram dated 1949 from Ilse Kasten states that uncle Hugo is dead (1897/48).

Heinz became a naturalised British citizen on 3 October 1949. Around this time he remarried Laura Mars (aunt of the depositor). They remained living together in the same house until her death although they had separated as man and wife relatively early on. 

Heinz died 30 September 1992.