Right before the outbreak of World War Two, the United Kingdom arranged the Kinder Transport to save Eastern European Jewish children from the hands of the Nazis. Nearly ten thousand children were saved and relocated into British foster homes and orphanages. One of these children was Beryl Gartner.
The Visit of King George VI to the Town of the Orphanage
Beryl lived in an orphanage with other Jewish refugees. One day his teacher announced that King George VI would be visiting their town. The next morning all the children got up early and put on their finest clothes and scrubbed their faces clean. They eagerly waited for the royal coach to appear. The king, queen and the two princesses waved majestically out to the cheering crowd. Everyone strained against the barricades to catch a glimpse of the royalty.
Eleven-year-old Beryl pushed his way through the barricades and jumped over the barriers. He ran as fast as he could and jumped onto royal carriage, banging on the windows. The carriage halted to a stop, and immediately the royal guards removed him. Suddenly, the carriage door swung open, and Beryl found himself face to face with king.
“I see you want to say hello,” smiled the king. Beryl looked deep into the eyes of the king, and tried to speak but he was overcome with tears. “Don’t cry now,” said the king, “we are not going to put you in the tower of London.”
A Plea to His Majesty for His Parents
“Your Majesty, please forgive me for banging on your car. But please help me. You’re the only one who can help me. Your Majesty I am a Jew from Germany. Through your kindness I was brought here by the Kinder Transport, but my parents are still in Germany. I am so frightened about what happened to them. Sometimes I think I will never see them again.” He burst into tears again.
The king inquired about Beryl’s family’s name and address and had an assistant write them down. “Let’s see what we can do.” He patted Beryl on the head, and Beryl hopped down from the cart.
A few weeks later the Headmaster called him into his office. “You seemed to make quite an impression on the king. In fact, he sent you a gift.” The headmaster opened the door and standing there were Beryl’s mother and father.