Hans Bandler grew up in Vienna. He graduated in mechanical engineering and began employment as an engineer, but was targeted due to his Jewish origins when the Germans took over both Vienna and the company for which he worked.
Bandler was incarcerated in Dachau and Buchenwald during World War II prior to his release being negotiated by his aunt. Bandler then moved to England and to Australia. In Australia, he retrained as an engineer (his Austrian qualifications not being recognised) and went on to work for the Hydro Electric Commission in Tasmania and as a senior design engineer on the Warragamba Dam in New South Wales.
Bandler was the husband of writer and activist, Faith Bandler (q.v.).
Source: Tony Stephens, 'Escapee from Nazis Fought for Aborigines', Sydney Morning Herald (14 September 2009): 18.
