Kindertransport refugee to give lecture at the University of Wolverhampton

Professor Robert A. Shaw will share his life story at the University’s Annual Holocaust Memorial Day Lecture, which will be chaired by Ian Austin, MP.

After the Anschluss of 1938, life in Professor Shaw’s native Vienna became increasingly difficult for the Jewish community, and in 1939 his mother found a place for him on a Kindertransport to Britain.

In his lecture, Professor Shaw will talk about his childhood in Austria as an enthusiastic boy scout, his experiences as a refugee, as a farmyard boy in Suffolk and errand boy in London during the Blitz, followed by volunteering for the British Army.

Reader in History Dr Richard Hawkins said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Professor Shaw to the University for what promises to be a fascinating lecture. We expect the lecture theatre to be full to capacity such has been the demand for tickets.”

Professor Shaw served in the India and South East Asia Command (SEAC) and studied in the jungles for his London Matriculation to enable him to enter university. His life was almost certainly saved by the Kindertransport - he arrived less than two months before the outbreak of the war.

His hard work and determination have allowed him to become a well-known scientist and he has given lectures all over the world.

The lecture will take place on Thursday 29 January 2015, from 5pm-6:30pm, followed by a Q&A session.

To book your free place please email: J.Barnett@wlv.ac.uk.

ENDS

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