German photographer's life story put into focus

Man who fled the Nazis to Britain is discussed at U3A

- SHARON LIPTROTT

Legendary Dr Werner Kissling made Dumfries his home after turning his back on Nazi Germany Bygone times A picture of James Hutchison Senior of J Hutchison and Son Clog-makers in Dumfries, taken by Dr Kissling Popular Dr Kissling at an exhibition of his photographs in Dumfries Museum in 1978

The enigmatic Dr Werner Kissling who made Dumfries his home after turning his back on Nazi Germany will be the subject of a fascinating true-life talk today by museums curator Judith Hewitt.

At the U3A Stewartry meeting in Castle Douglas Parish Church, 75 Queen Street, she will share the eventful life history of the German aristocrat who died almost penniless after becoming an ethnologist and professional photographer - and one of the most prolific collectors for Dumfries Museum.

Born in 1895 to wealthy parents in a brewing family in Breslau, Silesia - then part of the German empire and now part of Poland - the aristocrat served as a Prussian Guard for a year and then three years in the German Imperial Navy in the first world war.

He went on to join the German Diplomatic Service and, over seven years, had postings in Latvia, Spain, Hungary, Switzerland and, in 1931, came to the German Embassy in London.