What is it about?
This chapter explores how Werner David, a German Jewish child refugee who arrived in Britain in 1933, found a sense of British identity through his wartime scientific contributions. Despite being interned as an "enemy alien," his work for Shell and development of a water-displacing anti-corrosion fluid used in the D-Day landings became central to his applications for naturalization, which was granted in 1947.
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Why is it important?
Refugees and immigrants can make profound contributions to their new countries, even when facing suspicion, discrimination, or injustice. Werner David’s story is a reminder that people fleeing conflict and persecution often become assets—not liabilities—for inclusive, resilient societies. His perseverance, despite internment and being labeled an “enemy alien,” underscores the dangers of stereotyping and exclusion, issues that remain highly relevant in contemporary British debates on immigration, integration, and national identity. By recognizing such histories, Britain can foster a more empathetic, cohesive society that values the talents and potential of all its members, regardless of origin.
Perspectives
I have not experienced persecution or alienation; rather, I have benefited from residing in a nation that internalized the lessons of fascism’s rise and the Second World War. By recounting Werner’s story, I hope to encourage ongoing reflection on these historical lessons and to underscore the importance of sustaining an inclusive, vigilant society.
Mr Stephen James Richardson
Kendal College
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Child Refugee to Wartime Scientist: a German Jewish Refugee’s Search for a British Identity, August 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004741348_015.
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