CATSHILL Middle School students heard a moving testimony from a Holocaust Survivor this week.

John Fieldsend came to England at the age of seven with his ten-year-old brother, evacuating their childhood village in Dresden, Germany.

In 1939 when the Nazis invaded his hometown, John’s parents had no choice but to send their two sons away, although the brothers were later separated when they moved in with foster families.

John was one of more than 600 children saved by Sir Nicholas Winton, a British aid worker who organised their evacuation via Kindertransport trains and it was this touching tale that Mr Fieldsend shared with the students.

Ten students from Years 7 and 8 had the opportunity to quiz John about his life, before he gave an hour-long talk to around 170 children.

When asked how much of the evacuation process he understood, Mr Fieldsend said: “I knew what was going on but I didn’t know why.”

Finishing his poignant testimony, he told the students: “I’m here for one reason, to ask you as you grow up to do a better job than we did, this beautiful world is in trouble because of the way we treat one another.

"We’re handing this world over to you now, please make a better job of it than my generation did.”

Mr Hearn, the history teacher who coordinated the event said: “It’s been a pleasure and privilege to host John today.

"His story headlines a powerful message, one of forgiveness but more importantly, a story which we must remember today, for this is still happening around the world.”

The experience was set up by The Holocaust Educational Trust and John has given this talk to 35,000 students over the last ten years.

The charity’s chief executive, Karen Pollock MBE, commented: “The Holocaust Educational Trust educates and engages students from across the UK, from all communities, about the Holocaust and there can be no better way than through the first-hand testimony of a survivor.

"John’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances and by hearing his testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.

"At the Trust, we impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”