Holocaust Survivor Visit

On Thursday, 12th January, we were privileged to welcome to BRGS Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines. Lady Milena spoke to Year 9 about her experiences during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia.

Lady Milena was born in 1929.  Her father was recommended to leave Czechoslovakia the day before the Nazis invaded because he was both Jewish and a supporter of an anti-Nazi author.  He was able to escape but left his wife and children behind.  When Lady Milena was nine years old, she and her younger sister Eva were able to leave Prague on a special train, the Kinderstransport, arranged by Nicholas Winton, who saved 669 children in this way.  Lady Milena and her sister were cared for by a local family until their mother was able to arrive one year later, having escaped via Norway.  The family were thus all reunited.

Both children and staff were deeply moved by Lady Milena's story of courage and survival, and of her long-lasting friendship with the man who save her, Sir Nicholas Winton.  Lady Milena was hugely impressed by the knowledge and interest shown by our students throughout the talk and commented on their level of curiosity and compassion. 

Our thanks go to the History Department for arranging this very special opportunity for our students.