#WATWB: Sir Nicholas Winton.

We Are The World

It’s the 8th #We Are The World Blogfest and, as in the last 7 months, on the last Friday of each month, bloggers from around the world post an article that has caught our attention and brings a little light and inspiration into our sometimes murky world. 

I caught an interview of Sir Nicholas Winton with Stephen Sackur of BBC Hard Talk on TV last week. It was filmed in 2014. He died in July 2015 peacefully at home in Slough UK aged 106. You may know the story of this man who as a British citizen arranged for the excavation of children – 669 of them – from camps in Germany in 1939, to relocate to foster parents in England. It is an extraordinary story – it is a 30 minute interview of this 105 year old man who said that he had to do what he had to do, and with the help of his mother approached the Home Office in London. On arrival in Germany, he simply stated his purpose and set about effecting it. Please take the time whenever that may be to listen and be amazed and inspired … his answers are so brilliant and thought provoking. I’m glad I found the link – I know that I will listen again to this man who to the world is a hero, but as he said, he had to do what had to be done.  A comment I remember from this interview rather shook me. He was brought up as a Christian while a young boy and young man and found comfort in it. But when he got to Germany, he realised that both sides were praying to the same G.d to win the war. He gave up religion – or that kind of religion – when this hit home for him. He believes that life should be lived ethically .. if there were ethics, the world would be a better place. He states that he’s a pessimist. Actually, I note it’s only a 3 minute clip. I’ll have to search harder for the full interview and will put it up if and when I find it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n3csw9k4  

Our thanks to our hosts this for the month of November. It would be great if you stopped by them – Mary J. Giese, Guilie Castillo, Belinda McGrath Witzenhausen, and Peter Nena. 

Should you wish to take part in this awareness initiative of spreading good will, a few basic guidelines: posts to be short, below 500 words. Link to a human news story on your blog, one that shows love, humanity, and brotherhood. Paste in an excerpt and tell us why it touched you. No story is too big or small, as long as it goes beyond religion and politics, into the core of humanity.

 Place the WE ARE THE WORLD badge or banner on your Post and your Sidebar. Some of you have already done so, this is just a gentle reminder for the others. Help us spread the word on social media. Feel free to tweet, share using the #WATWB hashtag to help us trend.

Should you wish to take part this is the link to add your name: http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=277138&type=basic;

Thank you for reading! Have a great November!

 

57 Comments on #WATWB Sir Nicholas Winton

  3. Thanks for reminding me of the inherent goodness of the heart, Susan. I recently read about a Polish social worker named Irena Sendlerowa who got 2,500 children out of the Warsaw Ghetto. When she was tortured by Nazis, she didn’t tell where the children were, even as they broke her bones. There were those taking risks, often forgotten heroes. Sendlerowa is 97 now and was just recognized in Poland and has also been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize. Here’s a link to the article about Sendlerowa who says, “I’m no hero.” (If this is new to you, please use it for a WATWB entry–if you’d like. She’s inspiring–and what a smile.
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/mar/15/secondworldwar.poland

    • Thanks so much Elaine. I’ve saved the link you provided and may well use it for the upcoming #WATWB. I know of this wonderful lady but more commonly known as Irene Sendler? So many heroes of that time, little known for their bravery, hiding people from the clutches of the SS. Let’s hope she wins the Nobel Peace Prize – a very worthy recipient.

    • Thanks Donna so much for the clip which seems to work! I’ll check it out later. Great that you were able to access this. Thank you so much for coming by!

    • So many untold stories of men and women who helped people as much as they could .. thanks for coming by Robbie, have a great week.

  9. Susan, I couldn’t open your link but Googled this amazing man and read his awesome story. I actually saw him on Facebook, at a time he was in the audience and suddenly everyone stood and turned out they were all the grown up children he’d rescued – quite moving. Thanks for the inspirational story; he was a light to us all.

    • Thanks for coming by Lizbeth. Yes that part of his not realising all those people were in the audience was in the 30 min clip so I’m pleased you saw it! I tried to access you but was told ‘this site (mightyquill) can’t provide a secure connection’ – 🙁

  10. What an interesting story, Susan. These inspiring stories need to be shared. Thank yu for doing so.
    Unfortunately, I was unable to view the interview, but appreciate what you have told us about Sir Nicholas Winton here.
    Sadly, I was unable to get myself organised to join in this month. Hopefully I’ll do so next month.

  12. This man was truly extraordinary. I remember reading about him a few years back, and being astounded at the number of people he helped. What a hero.

  16. I very much agree about the religion aspect. We should all practice ethics and then we wouldn’t need religion to tell us how to live.

  18. Such a treasure Susan – I’m so glad you shared this! I think we can’t help but be inspired by those individuals who simply step up, refuse to be deterred by seeming obstacles, and help those in need. An extraordinary man indeed.

    • That’s exactly what he did Deborah … stepped up. An inspiration – doing what had to be done. Thank you for coming by. Popping over to yours and others now that I’m back from work. Have a great weekend …

  19. I didn’t know about this man, but he’s a shining example of goodness. We all should be so purposeful, but I fear I am not. Great share here.

  20. Very beautiful, I am glad to read this post,hopefully I would like to join this blogfest, better late than never, thank you for being an inspiration.

  21. I like when he said, “he had to do what had to be done”. That speaks a lot about his character and inner strength. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring read, Susan!

  22. Hi Susan – Sir Nicholas Winton was an amazing man and thankfully we have programmes we can watch, or listen to that tell his story – or more importantly those stories of the lives he saved. It was extraordinary … how people would just do amazing things to rescue fellow humans … I love hearing about his life – so thank you for telling us … and reminding me once again of his strength of purpose to help his countrymen …

    Enjoy the weekend with the family and hopefully you’ll be able to find the link for us – cheers Hilary

    • Hi Hilary, you would have easy access – we also have BBC here and Stephen Sackur’s interviews. I tune in mostly by chance – I would have liked to have recorded the one with Sir Nicholas. Davey & Jüte are now here, I’ve just arrived from work and will ask him to find it all for me (the list of things I want him to show me is long). Have a great weekend! Susan

  23. What an incredible story, it’s amazing what this man and his mother achieved all those years ago. I’ve just watched a slightly longer and different video on YouTube where he was taking part in a BBC programme called “That’s Life” … no spoilers but it’s so worth the four and a half minute watch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai-mwrkpKGI

    Thank you so much Susan for sharing this incredibly positive story. It’s lifted my spirits today! Blessings always, Deborah.

    • Thanks Deborah! It was a wonderful acknowledgment of his mother too – twice in the 30 min video he mentioned her. Thanks muchly for the clip, will watch later – may your spirit/s continue being raised! Blessings from me to you …

      • I watched, and shed a tear or 3 – isn’t it lovely how he said he was brought to the meeting under false pretences? Thank you again Deborah and I hope that many check it out …

  24. Wonderful choice for the #WATWB, Susan! I’ve heard of Sir Nicholas and have always admired him, but this interview (even just the short version) is a jewel. Yes, the full version, or at least a longer excerpt, must be available somewhere, and will totally be worth looking up. Thank you for sharing this, and for being a part of the #WATWB… May the light you bring to the world shine triple-bright on you always 🙂
    Guilie, October co-host, @ Quiet Laughter

    • One of my sons will be here this weekend – I’ll ask him to find the link. Thanks for co-hosting the #WATWB Guilie 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend. Quadruple brightness on you and all that you do ..

  25. What a wonderful heart, and caring individual. I too admire him. Thanks for sharing about his admirable chore of saving all those children. What a blessed individual.

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