Mathias Burda

Mathias Burda was born in Zidlin in Moravia [today: Cidlina in the Czech Republic] as the legitimate son of Josef Burda and Maria, née Svoboda. Little is known about his career after attending elementary school. Around the turn of the century, he married Antonia Tomek and became the father of two daughters and a son.

He moved to Vienna with his family and became a coal merchant. Mathias Burda is opposed to National Socialism. Before the imminent invasion of Austria by the German Wehrmacht, he speaks out publicly against National Socialism and disparages its politicians and institutions.

Mathias Burda was deported to Dachau concentration camp on June 16, 1938. He was released there on September 20, 1938. He then worked again as a coal merchant until his business license was revoked in 1940. In 1943, his wife was killed in a streetcar accident.

As the recipient of a small pension, Mathias Burda experienced the liberation of Austria in May 1945. He immediately received his business license, which had been revoked by the National Socialists, back and returned to work as a coal merchant. He became involved with the ÖVP-Kameradschaft der politisch Verfolgten und Bekenner für Österreich.

Mathias Burda died at the age of 78 and was laid to rest at the cemetery in Vienna-Großjedlersdorf.