Sir Nicholas Winton MBE (born 19 May 1909) - “The British Schindler”

“Save one Life. Save the World” – “The Talmud” - The Book of Jewish Law

Almost everyone has heard of Oskar Schindler but have you heard of the British ‘Schindler’ and the amazing story of the “Winton children?”

Can the actions and selflessness of an ordinary man impact lives? The answer is a resounding yes!

In December, 1938, Nazi Germany began making greater demands; the storm clouds of war were looming in Europe. Nicholas Winton, a stockbroker, was called to Czechoslovakia to assist a friend process the ever increasing number of refugees due to Nazi Germany annexing the Czech border region of the Sudetenland. This journey changed his life and eventually the lives of thousands of others through the generations.

Being of German Jewish descent, Winton was fully aware of the persecutions being committed against Jews in Germany and was convinced Czechoslovakia would be invaded (it eventually was). With time running out, Winton decided to mount his rescue mission after seeing the number of mainly Jewish children in danger. Children are often the innocents in a world where adults frequently come into conflict. Winton’s actions included:

* Persuading British officials to accept the children to be placed into foster homes along with a paid 50-pound guarantee for each individual child. Winton set about fundraising and organizing the trip. Sweden also accepted some of the children.

* Winton arranged eight trains to carry children to Britain in the months before the outbreak of war. The last major transportation on Sept 3rd 1939 was sadly intercepted; most of the 250 children on board were never seen again.

* As money was tight, Winton also had to raise money to help pay for the transports when contributions by the children's parents couldn't cover the costs. He even advertised in newspapers and synagogues for all possible sponsorship.

* Winton still kept his day job so worked long hours into the night. His organization, staffed by dedicated volunteers became known as the “The British Committee for refugees from Czechoslovakia and in Prague, he became known as the 'Englishman of Wenceslas Square.'

Winton ended up saving 669 Czech children. Few saw their parents again but many had another chance to live, far away from the horrors of the concentration camps. Up to 5000 people, those he saved and their descendants can thank Winton for the wonderful gift of life.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the rescues, this past September 4th, a 100-year old Winton was at the London train station to greet 22 of the Winton Children. These survivors had travelled from Prague to London to recreate their historic journey of escape from Hitler's forces 70 years previous. For his efforts, Winton has received the Freedom of Prague, a Knighthood, global praise and the knowledge that his actions saved so many innocent children.

Most importantly, this modest and humble man gave virtual strangers the greatest gift of all … life itself.

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Steam train reunites 'British Schindler' with Jews he saved from Nazis Czech evacuees thank their savior (Map of Journey included). Youtube video: Nicholas Winton News Report