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Hermann Hirschberger, who fought for his and other Kinders' pension rights, dies at 93
He made headlines after successfully lobbying the Government over a law that penalised those who had worked after arriving in Britain
January 2, 2020 14:16
He made headlines after successfully lobbying the Government over a law that penalised those who had worked after arriving in Britain
January 2, 2020 14:16Hermann Hirschberger, a former Kindertransport refugee who fought for the pension rights of hundreds of other Kinder, has died at 93.
Mr Hirschberger arrived in Britain with his brother Julius aged 12 in March 1939 after he had to flee his native Karlsruhe in western Germany.
He later recalled his mother telling them to expect a "happy reunion" with their parents in England but both his mother and father died at Auschwitz.
He celebrated his barmitzvah while living in a hostel and went to work in a factory aged 15. He worked as an engineer and was a founder member of Belmont Synagogue which he represented on the Board of Deputies.
After he retired in 1989, Mr Hirschberger frequently spoke about his experiences to school children during educational visits.
He was made an MBE in the 2010 New Year's Honours list for services to the Jewish community and his fellow Kinder.
He made headlines in 2008 by successfully lobbying the Government to amend pension law, which helped other Kinder claim the full compensation the German Government paid out to those who lost their citizenship because of the Nazis.
They had their compensation payments reduced for each year of UK pension contributions they had paid between 1939 to 1948, so as to comply with European rules on national insurance.
"Those [Kinder] without a family or rich uncle to pay for them to go to school and university, had to start work," he told the JC at the time.
"If a boy or girl started work in 1940, they would get only a ninth of the pension. Instead of getting something like £300 a month, some would be getting £40 a month."
He lobbied the Board of Deputies and his local MP and the then-pensions minister announced the law would be amended to enable the ex-Kinder to qualify for their full entitlement.
In 2007, Mr Hirschberger devised and the creation of a database, published by the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), of the experiences of 1,450 of the 10,000 children of the Kindertransport through a survey called 'Making New Lives in Britain'.
He chaired a committee within AJR dedicated to helping former Kindertransport refugees.
After his death was announced on Thursday, an AJR spokesperson said: "Until poor health prevented him doing so, Hermann regularly spoke to school pupils about his experiences fleeing Karlsruhe, his town of birth in Germany, on a Kindertransport and was a regular attendee at our Kindertransport lunches.
"We send our heartfelt wishes to Hermann’s family."
Board of Deputies Presidenr Marie van der Zyl said: “Hermann Hirschberger was a committed campaigner whose efforts to secure pension rights for Kindertransport survivors enhanced the later lives of many of his fellow refugees.
"He was also a devoted member of Belmont United Synagogue and served as its Deputy with distinction. He will be remembered with great fondness.”
Holocaust Educational Trust chief executive, Karen Pollock, said: "Hermann Hirschberger came to the UK in 1939 aged 12 years old on the Kindertransport. He left behind many members of his family and lost both of his parents in Auschwitz in 1942.
“Until poor health Hermann was a regular speaker in schools sharing his testimony inspiring the next generation. Herman was not only a charming and charismatic man but also a determined one.
"Campaigning for more than 14 years, thanks to his efforts Herman was eventually successful in securing pension payments for British Kindertransport evacuees from the German government.
”I and all of us at the Holocaust Educational Trust have very fond memories of Herman and will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, added: "We are sad to learn of the death of Hermann Hirschberger. His death is a further reminder that we must all do our bit to ensure that the testimonies of survivors and refugees are not forgotten.
"We will continue Hermann’s important work and educate about the Holocaust and the dangers of hatred."