The Inspiring Story of Nicholas Winton: The “British Schindler” Who Saved 669 Children from the Nazis
In 1938, as the shadow of the Holocaust loomed over Europe, a 29-year-old British stockbroker named Nicholas Winton embarked on a secret mission that would save 669 children—most of them Jewish—from almost certain death. His heroic efforts remained unknown for decades, earning him the nickname “Britain’s Schindler” (after Oskar Schindler).
How It Happened: A Race Against Time
📅 December 1938: Winton canceled a ski trip to instead visit Prague, where he witnessed the desperation of Jewish families fleeing Nazi persecution after Kristallnacht.
🚂 The Czech Kindertransport:
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Winton organized 8 trains to transport children from Prague to Britain.
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He forged documents, bribed officials, and persuaded British families to foster the refugees.
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Each child required a £50 deposit (about $3,800 today) for their eventual return—a return most would never make.
✍️ The Final, Lost Train:
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The 9th train, carrying 250 children, was set to leave on September 1, 1939—the day WWII began.
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It was stopped at the border—none of those children were seen again.
Decades of Silence
Winton never spoke of his mission—not even to his wife. His story only came to light in 1988 when she discovered a scrapbook in their attic with the children’s names, photos, and documents.
🎥 The Emotional BBC Surprise (1988):
In a legendary TV moment, Winton was invited to a reunion show—unaware that the audience was filled with the now-grown children he saved. Watch the heartwarming clip .
Winton’s Legacy
🏅 Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003.
✉️ Over 6,000 descendants of the rescued children are alive today because of him.
💔 His Regret: “I could have saved more.”
Winton died in 2015 at age 106, but his lesson endures: One person’s courage can change the world.
“If something is not impossible, then there must be a way to do it.” —Nicholas Winton
Why His Story Matters Today
In a world still facing crises of war and displacement, Winton’s actions remind us:
✅ Compassion has no borders.
✅ Silent heroes walk among us.
✅ Never underestimate the power of one determined person.
If this story moved you, share it. 🕊️
(P.S. The rescued children called themselves “Winton’s Children.” Many became scientists, artists, and even politicians—proof of his ripple effect.)