The Windermere Children

[poseysbobblehat]

Anyone watching ? I've met one of them - Arek Hersch, the boy who'd been in 4 camps.

A very moving programme. I had no idea about the Windermere project before this. So good to see those survivors at the end.

It was beautifully made and so heartbreaking. I have a vague memory of somebody being on who do you think you are whose family member was a Windermere child.

I’ll be honest and admit I never really thought about what happened to the survivors of the Holocaust after they were released. I was really moved last night watching it and also really shocked at how the local people reacted to the children. The middle class woman walking her dog and the local lads. I was so uncomfortable and sad that those attitudes existed (and they were probably quite common reactions and even worse, probably still common today).
I was in awe at how much the survivors achieved, building their lives around nothing. They started with nothing and ended up doing so well. I am full of admiration for them.

Such a hard but, rewarding watch I feel wrung out. I would love to know what happened to the smaller children.

Thomas Kretschmann was wonderful his chat to the local children was just heartbreaking a masterclass in defeating racism.

I think one of the saddest things is we are still making the same mistakes. Refugees are still being treated abysmally and genocide still happens while the world watches.

The facility Calgarth Estate was perfect to help refugees though not many places like that exist any more. Unless purpose built ones are erected. I doubt the government would fund them @doodleygirl

Also there is so much poverty with existing UK citizens and about 2.5 million children suffering at the moment ref : Social Metrics
Commission.

I meant peoples attitudes.

There was a bit about this on "Digging for Britain" last year

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000c5yk

for when it's re-shown ...

This was a good Radio 4 programme from 2018 - I haven't yet watched the one from last night yet.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000xrc

There was another item on Radio 4 recently about a collection of buttons.

The news article about the buttons, I'll see if I can find the radio programme.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cumbria-42833450/holocaust-memorial-day-buttons-sent-in-across-the-world

There was so much unspoken sadness and suffering these children endured that they survived and went onto thrive was a miracle in itself. For me the scene of the children having continual nightmares, of them hiding the bread and when Arek was told by the Red Cross none of his family survived the Holocaust suggested the unspeakable horrors these children had suffered. It should be compulsory viewing in school history classes to help combat the rising antisemitism in our society

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b007763z Ben Helfgott

An interesting article www.worldjewishrelief.org/about-us/the-boys The boys which was the name given to the group ( even though it included girls) The book by Ben Helfgott: The Story of One of the Boys another interesting read for those who want to know more.

I think Judge Rinder's grandfather was a Windermere child

Yes he was he is mentioned in the article I linked to. Such great and illustrious people they turned in to.

I too had never really considered the aftermath. Stupid of me not to have realised that liberation wasn’t the end of the story, and that even when found homes the children had a lot to overcome. Strangely I didn’t cry throughout this (& I’m well known for my tissue moments) maybe because seeing what some have achieved is so uplifting.

SlayB there was a documentary on BBC4, at least one of the small children was interviewed in that. The docu was shown after the main programme was on so it should be on iPlayer now if you want to catch up with it.

I was in floods of tears throughout. Those poor children.

@Iwantacampervan thanks so much for the link. I've been trying to track down that programme, which I heard at the time, but for some reason could only think of checking Archive on 4.

Great news @thetemptationofchocolate thank you I shall watch that.

I did read up on the six and the work of Gertrud and Sophie who helped them bit.ly/2U8jRRg so many Jewish refugees that provided so much help for the children affected by WW2.

Just watched this. What a wonderful piece of true story TV drama. It was really moving. I've read quite a few non fiction Holocaust related books. Recent reads if people want greater insight have been The Tattoist of Auschwitz and The Cut Out Girl.

@Maryann1975

My dissertation was on British responses to refugee crises related to genocide. It wasn't all bad, but there were distinctly different humanitarian angles that needed to be emphasised for Jewish over Christian refugees.

@doodleygirl and @slayb

I don't know if you noticed that the Calgarth estate was a seaplane manufactory during the war. Because of it's previous significance to the RAF, they still use it as a reference point on flight manoeuvres for dropping bombs - it's a school now, my old school. Humanity hasn't learned a bloody thing.

It was an emotional watch. Especially given how our government just voted to not reunite refugee children with their families. Can't help but think that if this situation arose now Britain would turn our backs on helping these holocaust survivors. Charity begins at home and all that guff.

I cried at the end. To think it was all real. You learn about it and know about it but whenever you watch about it each time you just think it's so shocking again. Amazing to see them at the end. I felt sad that some had died. Just so shocking.
It is so important we hear about it from them
There's just no words

Arek Hirsch also came into our school too when I was at school. I don't actually remember it to be honest but I remember his name and I thought I might have met him I just checked with mum and he did come to our school

What a wonderful film. I've just watched the accompanying documentary and it had me in floods of tears.