A former refugee has spoken of his experiences of growing up in a ‘Welcome House’ in Watford during World War Two.

Henry Graupner, who now lives in Ottawa, Canada, was among 12 children to be moved into the home in Nascot Wood House, on Hempstead Road in 1939 by homeowner Kathleen Freeman.

Mrs Freeman gave up her home for refugee children from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia, who were primarily from mixed Jewish parentage.

In December some of the children in the ‘Welcome House’ got in touch with Watford Museum about their experiences.

And the local efforts of Mrs Freeman were later told in the autobiography of Mr Graupner.

Watford Observer:

Children at the 'Welcome House'

In his memoir, he said: “My experiences and development during my years in the Welcome Family, had the most influence on my character and the sort of person I became.

“I could write many pages about Mrs. F and I have to thank her for my upbringing on a very moral basis with a strong emphasis on education and intellectual pursuits”.

In 1964, Mrs. Freeman was awarded an O.B.E. for all her ‘outstanding services and untiring devotion to the cause of the world’s children’, from some years before 1939 continuing to well after 1945.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of ‘Kindertransport’, the mission which took thousands of children to safety ahead of World War Two

The humanitarian effort was led by the Government and British public to take in over 10,000 children from Germany and other European countries from families that were persecuted for being Jewish primarily.

Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “The impact that the Second World War had on our town was enormous. Watford has always been a very caring town and the town pulled together around the war effort.

“Kathleen Freeman is testament to this ethos, I am sure children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who were rescued are forever grateful for her extraordinary work.”