World War II and the 1956 revolution are rarely linked in public consciousness – although they are not so far apart in time. Only 11 years have passed since the siege of Budapest, and the city is in flames again – in many cases, the same people who survived the hell of war had to face the fighting. Among them was dr. András Seibriger, who, as a young surgeon, went to the Hospital in the Rock in 1944 after his front service, and then returned again in 1956 to help the wounded. On both occasions, he worked as deputy for the chief physician at the underground institution. Sadly the end of the fights did not bring peace either: András Seibriger also had to face political persecution. However, he kept his beliefs all along. In 1956, his family asked him to flee abroad, but all he said was,
“My Gledish you can go, I’m not leaving. This is my Homeland, my patients are waiting, and the Hospital in the Rock may need me at any time.”
András Seibriger as a young cavalry officer
Christmas in Saint John’s Hospital, sometime in the 1940’s (András Seibriger is the fifth from the left in the back)
Red Cross protective document for Dr. András Seibriger
Pharmacy scale
Different types of syringe needles
Pastilles containing iodine. Only used by doctors recommendation!
