Eveline Bass – “We owe our lives to such selfless endeavour”

I remember, I remember my seven-year-old self in 1939 Vienna and suspect that I will never forget. Doubt, confusion, bewilderment and fear spread ominously from adults to children. Whispered conversations of cruelty and unbelievable brutality reached the ears of children clutching a mother’s hand. The raid and round-up of Jews in the much-frequented coffee houses included my father, watched by my very alarmed mother, terrified self and my twin sister. During his enforced absence, I recall my mother’s frantic excursions and search for safety. At last she received assurance – her seven-year-old twin girls would go to England. How could the elderly woman in the street garden square tell the seven-year-old that a whole in the boat would make certain they all drowned?

My father was released in time for our solemn Kindertransport departure in June 1939. We crowded to the carriage window and caught our last glimpse of loving parents.

I am sure we, the Kindertransport children, will never forget this great rescue assisted by the Society of Friends, without which we too would have perished. Many Quakers contributed towards their welfare and education with great support and love, both during the war and long afterwards when like myself many found that their parents had died on their way to, or in, the concentration camps. We owe our lives to such selfless endeavour and we are ever grateful and ressured that human generosity, care and kindness exist.

During my profession in education I have met and worked with many displaced and refugee children and their parents. I hope the Quaker way has influenced and furthered strong empahty, care and support to all.

Eveline Bass
Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey