We Remember Sir Nicholas Winton
USC Shoah Foundation is sad to learn of the passing of Sir Nicholas Winton, the organizer of the Czechoslovakian Kindertransport and one of the most beloved rescuers of the Holocaust. Winton was 106 years old.
Winton, a British stockbroker, organized the safe transport of 669 Jewish children from Czechoslovakia to Britain before the outbreak of World War II. Eight trains in total carried children from Prague to Britain, where local families took them in. Most of the children’s parents were later killed at Auschwitz. Winton’s death falls on the 76th anniversary of his largest single transport: 241 children on one train.
However, his heroic actions were not known publicly until 1988, when his wife Grete found his scrapbook with documents and names of rescued children from the war in their attic. From then on, he was nicknamed “the British Schindler,” and was knighted by the Queen in 2003. He also reunited with with many of the children he saved – now grown and with children and grandchildren of their own. It is estimated that 6,000 people in the world are alive today because of his actions.
100 Days to Inspire Respect Sir Nicholas Winton, responsible for organizing the Kindertransport that saved the lives of 669 Jewish children, passed away at the age of 106. Here is his message to the future. 100 Days to Inspire Respect Sir Nicholas Winton, responsible for organizing the Kindertransport that saved the lives of 669 Jewish children, passed away at the age of 106. Here is his message to the future. Herbert Holden describes Nicholas Winton's lifesaving efforts to bring 669 Czech children to Britain during the Holocaust, and how he called up a television program to reveal himself as one of the children Winton saved. Vera Gissing remembers her parents decision to send her and her sister Eva on the Kindertransport from Czechoslovakia to England in May 1939. She also describes their farewell at the train station in Prague and the journey to England. Vera’s testimony is featured in Testimony – The Legacy of Schindler’s List and the USC Shoah Foundation. Alice Masters recalls meeting Sir Nicholas for the first time in London at the 50th reunion of the Kindertransport children. Susanne Pearson speaks about Sir Nicholas Winton's difficulties in transporting Jewish children to Britain before the war broke out.Remembering Sir Nicholas Winton
Sir Nicholas Winton on his decision to save over 600 children
Sir Nicholas Winton on his decision to save over 600 children
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Herbert Holden on Nicholas Winton
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Vera Gissing on the Kindertransport
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Alice Masters on Sir Nicholas Winton
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Susanne Pearson on Sir Nicholas Winton
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“Nicholas Winton” is an indexing term in the Visual History Archive and is mentioned in 11 testimonies. In September 2013, Winton recorded his testimony for the Visual History Archive, interviewed by USC Shoah Foundation Executive Director Stephen Smith, in the UK.
Winton’s daughter Barbara wrote a book about her father called If It’s Not Impossible…The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton, out now. The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles hosted a book signing for Winton in November 2014 and Smith invited her to visit the Institute and learn more about the Visual History Archive.
Barbara Winton said it was wonderful to see the testimonies in the Visual History Archive and learn about how they are being used in schools around the world. Her father always talked about how important it is to not just keep historical materials but to use them to change the world today.
Sir Nicholas was also emphatic that people understand that genocides are still happening today, Winton said during her visit.
He still spoke to students regularly and delivered a simple message: Don’t let small differences outweigh the similarities that all people share.
“He always says the same thing: Why do people have to be separated by religion instead of focusing on what connects us and what is the same in all religions?” Winton said. “Let’s forget about what makes us different.”