Nicholas George Winton MBE, born Wertheim, was a British stockbroker and humanitarian who played a pivotal role in rescuing 669 children, predominantly Jewish, from the clutches of Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. Born to German-Jewish parents who had migrated to Britain at the turn of the 20th century, Winton's humanitarian endeavors began on a brief visit to Czechoslovakia, where he compiled a list of children in dire need of rescue.
Upon returning to Britain, Winton worked tirelessly to fulfill the legal requirements necessary to bring the children to Britain, securing homes and sponsors for them in the process. This remarkable operation, later dubbed the Czech Kindertransport, was a testament to Winton's unwavering dedication to saving the lives of innocent children.
For nearly five decades, Winton's humanitarian accomplishments remained unknown to the world, only to be rediscovered in 1988 when he was invited to appear on the BBC television program That's Life! During the program, Winton was reunited with dozens of the children he had helped, as well as their children and grandchildren. The British press hailed him as the "British Schindler" and celebrated his extraordinary heroism.
In recognition of his services to humanity, Winton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003. Furthermore, he was awarded the highest honor of the Czech Republic, the Order of the White Lion (1st class),by Czech President Miloš Zeman in 2014.
Winton passed away in 2015 at the age of 106, leaving behind a legacy of selfless courage and compassion that will forever be etched in the annals of history.
