Peter Mittler

Peter was born in Vienna on 2 April 1930, the only child of Gustav and Trude Mittler. His father entered the UK in July 1938, whilst his mother stayed in Vienna. Peter and Trude remained in Austria when Germany and Austria became one country, following the Anschluss.

Following these events, Peter’s mother made several applications to move to other countries and was succeeded in arranging for Peter to leave Austria on the Kindertransport on 11 January 1939. He was only allowed to take a small case with some clothes, a few books and writing paper. After arriving at Harwich on 13 January 1939, Peter boarded a train to London.

Peter stayed with the Jellinek family in London, who provided him with emotional stability and support until he turned 16. Peter’s mother eventually managed to get to England in March 1939.

In 1940, Peter’s father was taken to a transit camp in Shropshire and was then transported to the Isle of Man for internment. However, he was later released after nine months and moved to Surrey. Peter then left his boarding school to live with his parents, for the first time in three years.

He joined the British army in 1949 trained as an army clerk and was posted to Germany. He studied at Cambridge where he graduated with a BA in Psychology and a Masters. Peter’s work within the Psychology field included carrying out PHD research and joining a Department of Health committee, which led to a major policy initiative in 1971.

Peter spent 14 years as Director of the Hester Adrian Research Centre (HARC) based at The University of Manchester, which became the largest and most successful research centre of its kind in Europe. Peter’s leadership in the development of policy and provision for adults and children with intellectual disabilities was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 1981, by the award of a CBE and in 1977 Peter also became the head of the Division of Educational Guidance in the Department of Education at The University of Manchester.

Peter continues to live in South Manchester.

“The family business was moderately successful, and our family led a reasonably comfortable life in Vienna. We lived at 17/19 Waaggasse in the fourth district, close to the famous open air Naschmarkt, now a huge market.”

“Looking back, I am amazed at how much time I spent travelling around on my own at such a young age in such an unsettled time. Although I was shouted at once or twice, it’s just amazing how normal life appeared to go on, despite the fact that Jewish businesses were being burned.”

“I wish I had asked my mother how it felt to be alone in Vienna at the time of the Anschluss and how she survived the persecution, humiliation, arrest and even suicide of so many of her friends and colleagues. “

Peter Mittler

Cookie use