Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Sir David Attenborough Recounts Welcoming Kindertransport Refugees During WWII
Renowned natural historian Sir David Attenborough, at the distinguished age of 98, has witnessed a vast spectrum of historical events, including the seismic impact of World War II. As a young boy of twelve, the conflict profoundly altered his family’s life, leading to an unexpected and positive change: the arrival of two young refugees, whom they embraced as sisters into their home.
Attenborough’s Family and the Kindertransport
During a virtual event hosted by The Association of Jewish Refugees in 2020, Sir David Attenborough delivered a poignant account of his parents’ compassionate decision to provide refuge for Irene, aged 13, and Helga Bejach, aged 11. These young girls were part of the Kindertransport, a crucial rescue operation that brought approximately 10,000 Jewish children from Nazi-occupied territories to safety in Britain in August 1939.
Embracing Refugee Sisters
Sir David fondly recalled how Irene and Helga became integral members of their family for seven years, effectively becoming his sisters. He recounted the moment his parents welcomed the girls with open arms.
“It remains deeply moving to recall,” the celebrated broadcaster shared, “my dear father and mother standing by the radio. My mother turned to us, including Irene and Helga, and declared, ‘Well now we are one family. Irene and Helga will be your sisters until the war concludes.’”
Unawareness of Wartime Horrors
Attenborough admitted that during the war’s early stages, his family, like many in Britain, was largely unaware of the “unimaginable” atrocities unfolding across Europe. He elucidated, “We were uninformed. We had no knowledge of Auschwitz or the existence of concentration camps until Allied forces advanced into Germany and uncovered these horrific realities, which remain profoundly distressing to discuss.”
Britain’s Wartime Response
“Britain’s entry into the war was not prompted by the existence of concentration camps. However, with the benefit of hindsight, had we possessed knowledge of such horrors, our response undoubtedly should have been different. The scale of the atrocity was so immense, it defied comprehension at the time.”
The Bejach Sisters’ Story
Tragically, Irene and Helga’s family was directly affected by Nazi brutality. Their father, Dr. Bejach, was apprehended by the Nazis and ultimately deported to Auschwitz, where he was murdered in October 1944. Having lost their mother years prior, the conclusion of the war marked a bittersweet farewell as Helga and Irene emigrated to America to join relatives.
Lasting Family Bonds
Despite geographical distance, Sir David Attenborough and his family maintained close contact with Irene and Helga and subsequently nurtured relationships with their children, demonstrating the enduring bonds forged during a time of global upheaval and personal kindness.