gb-003348-wl1431
type: RecordSet
archival history: The provenance of this collection is unknown.
biographical history: The Trade Union Centre for German Workers in Great Britain was founded just before the outbreak of the Second World War, but did not begin its work in earnest until the release of many of the German exiles, who were interned at the outbreak of war. The chairman of the TUCGWGB, Hans Gottfurcht, had for many years been an active trade unionist in Germany, where he helped establish a number of illegal trade unions under the Nazis. The establishment of the TUCGWGB was regarded as necessary because of the particular situation brought about by the large influx of refugees and exiles. Whereas it would normally have been expected for these new arrivals to join existing British trade unions (which they did as well), there was always a sense that their stay in Great Britain would only ever be temporary, and that they needed a representative organisation that would reflect their particular interests. After the war and the demise of the TUCGWGB, Hans Gottfurcht went on to become a pivotal figure as liaison between the newly formed Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund and the occupying British authorities.
related material: The archives of the Deutsche Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) in Germany hold the papers of Hans Gottfurcht.
conditions of access: Open
has beginning date: 1941-01-01
has end date: 1945-01-31
has or had holder: gb-003348
has or had identifier: 1
has or had subject: 1008
has or had subject: 304
has or had subject: 921
has or had subject: 381
has or had subject: 302
has or had subject: 1159
has record set type: Collection
identifier: WL1431
record resource extent: 1 folder
scope and content: This collection comprises newsletters, activity reports and and other material relating to the activities of the TUCGWGB.
title: German Trades Unions in Great Britain: Miscellaneous material