Plaque unveiled for Kindertransport 'hero'

22 August 2025

Daisy Stephens & Neranjana ElapathaBBC News, Berkshire

News image — Nick Winton said the plaque would help people understand the role his father played saving hundreds of Jewish children before the Second World War

BBC A head-and-shoulders photo of a man with grey hair, wearing glasses, a blue and white jacket, and a pink shirt. He's smiling at the camera, with trees and a grey railing in soft focus behind him. — Nick Winton said the plaque would help people understand the role his father played saving hundreds of Jewish children before the Second World War

The son of a man who saved hundreds of Jewish children in the run-up to the Second World War has said his father's work demonstrates the impact individuals can have.

A plaque was unveiled at Maidenhead railway station on Friday commemorating Sir Nicholas Winton who organised the rescue of 669 children before they could be sent to Nazi concentration camps.

The plaque was placed alongside a statue of Sir Nicholas on a bench on platform three which was unveiled in 2010 by Theresa May who was local MP at the time.

Sir Nicholas' son, Nick Winton, who attended the unveiling, said telling his father's story served as "a good reminder to all of us, the impact we can make".

"A lot of us go through the world saying 'that's not right, they should fix that', and you have to wonder - who is they?" he said.

"It's a good reminder that we can fix things. It's the power of one person to make a difference."

Getty Images A man with white hair and glasses, wearing a smart pin-stripe suit, white shirt, blue tie and with enamel pins on his lapel. — Sir Nicholas died in 2015 at the age of 106

Managing director of Great Western Railway (GWR) Mark Hopwood said the contribution of Sir Nicholas, who settled in Maidenhead after the war, was "extraordinary".

"We first unveiled a statue of him at this station back in 2010 and a number of the people who've passed through the station have said 'that looks really interesting but who is he and what did he achieve?'." said Mr Hopwood.

Mr Winton agreed.

"For the first time, they'll get some idea of why it's there and who he was," he said.

A black statue of a man sitting on a bench, reading a large paper. Next to him is a shiny gold plaque with information about his involvement in Kindertransport written on it. — The statue has been there since 2010 but the plaque was unveiled today

Baroness May who knew Sir Nicholas personally during her time as MP said he was "a wonderful person".

"Nicky Winton saved the lives of 669 children just before the start of the second world war... ensuring that not just those children but their grandchildren, their children, their great grandchildren have had lives they would not have had." she said.

"They owe their existence to Nicky Winton."

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