CONSCIENCE FOUNDATION
Sir Nicholas Winton
I was trying to save children, not religion; a child's survival was more important than losing his religious beliefs.
Briefly
Year of Birth:
1909
Country of Birth:
Great Britain
Year of Death:
2015
Place of Death:
Great Britain
Importance in Terms of Conscience
Sir Nicholas Winton became a figure of humanity’s conscience during World War II, saving the lives of 669 Jewish children fleeing Nazi Germany’s persecution. Born in London on May 19, 1909, to a German Jewish family, Winton became a successful stockbroker at a young age, but it was his rescue operation in Czechoslovakia in 1938 that made him a world-renowned hero.
Winton changed his holiday plans for Christmas 1938 and embarked on a mission to rescue children under Nazi occupation by traveling to Czechoslovakia. During his month in Prague, he prepared the necessary documents, found sponsors and made transportation arrangements for the children to reach England safely. This operation would later become known as the “Czech Kindertransport.” Winton’s heroic story remained unknown for almost 50 years, until he was reunited with the children he had saved on a BBC television program in 1988.
Winton is one of the best examples of how conscience can be turned into action. His actions not only saved lives, but also left an unforgettable legacy for humanity. He was honored with a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 and awarded the Order of the White Lion, the highest honor in the Czech Republic, in 2014. Winton, who passed away at the age of 106, left behind a unique legacy that demonstrates the power of conscience and humanity. His story continues to remind us of what every individual in the world can achieve when they act in accordance with their conscience.