A bronze statue has been unveiled in Swanage as a tribute to Trevor Chadwick, dubbed the “Purbeck Schindler” for his efforts towards saving the lives of 669 children at the outbreak of the Second World War.

A teacher by profession, Mr Chadwick, who died in 1979, helped Sir Nicholas Winton arrange for the children to travel from Prague to a new life in the UK.

Sir Nicholas described him as “the real hero. He did the more difficult and dangerous work after the Nazis invaded. He managed things at the Prague end, organising the children and the trains and dealing with the SS and Gestapo.”

His story was untold for some 80 years until local councillor William Trite came across some documents detailing his exploits.

The ceremony took place in front of 300 guests, including a number of Dorset dignitaries.

Trevor Chadwick Memorial Trust chair John Corben said the statue was a fitting tribute, “standing in a prominent position overlooking the recently renamed Trevor Chadwick Park and Swanage Bay to the lifeboat station where Trevor served as a crew member for a number of years”.

The initiative has been financially supported by the Association of Jewish Refugees.

AJR head of education and heritage Alex Maws hoped the memorial “will not only serve to educate about an important historical episode but also inspire future generations to consider the ways in which ordinary people can make a difference in the world”.