thea and heinz's story

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Thea was born in Berlin, Germany and arrived at the age of 15 in Leeds in January 1939 on a Kinderstransport (children’s transport). She came alone, her parents remaining behind in Nazi Germany, and lived with a family in Leeds. Only at the end of the war did she discover her parents had survived in the centre of Berlin.

Heinz was born in the Bavarian town of Fürth in Germany and arrived at the age of 18 in Leeds in February 1939, having secured a position as a trainee presser in a clothing factory. His brother was already living in Leeds and their parents followed, just four days before war broke out. 

They came separately as refugees from Nazi Germany, met, married and brought up a family in their adopted city of Leeds. They had two sons, Peter and Mike, who had the educational life chances denied to Thea and Heinz. Both went on to study at Oxford University. 

The goal of the Trust is to continue their legacy, providing opportunities for young people to learn and develop that were denied to Thea and Heinz.