Number 81: The Werbeloffs were wealthy In Sasmaka (now Valdermarpils), Courland (Kurland), Latvia. As Aunty Ida put it: “Meyer and brother Benno – an astute, respected businessman, had a beautiful big business, called “Gebruhder Werbeloff”.

On August 1, 1914 Germany declared war on Russia. Everything changed. Courland bordering Germany experienced warfare immediately. On Shavuoth 1914, the families of Meyer & Yente; Benno & Lena Werbeloff and all other Jews were forced by the Russians to leave within 24 hours. According to Uncle Solly: “A policeman came to the Shul and gave the expulsion order. Eventually granted an extension for a week, they had to leave everything in the store: Drapery; Salted herring from Holland..  The Germans later occupied the large Werbeloff house, with the “salon” now a dormitory!”.

The families first went to Riga, then having to leave Latvia, to Sebezh in Russia for some months, but due to “problems” they moved to Nerekhta for some time, then to Kostrama, then eventually to beautiful Voronezh. Benno spent huge energy trying to get his and Meyer’s sons to not have to join the Russian army. Probably caused by tension and exhaustion, Benno sadly died just before the family left for Voronezh in the heart of Russia, on Shavuoth, one year after leaving Sasmaka. “To this day” Aunty Ida said, “I cannot enjoy Shavuoth. It has such terrible memories for the Werbeloffs”.

Their new life was difficult. The poverty, hunger and cold in their abode  – the basement of a Russian family house in Voronezh, were indescribable. Lena suffered intestinal inflammation. The children stood in queues for 1/8 pound of bread.

In 1918 the Werbeloffs returned to Sasmaka – in a cattle truck, about 1555 kilometres, (more than from Cape Town to Johannesburg)!. The family house was still standing, but with little of its contents. Zamul (Samuel) fixed a chair from what was their beautiful red lounge suite and with a twinkle in his eye said: “ Here Ma, its covered in silver”.

At this point the children started leaving for South Africa: Solly with Sophie and Ida with Zamul.