Kindertransport refugee Ingrid Wuga, who had ‘immeasurable impact’, dies aged 96
Holocaust education chiefs pay tribute to German-born survivor who escaped the Nazis and dedicated her life to teaching the lessons of the Shoah
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to kindertransport refugee Ingrid Wuga, who has died aged 96.
Born in the German city of Dortmund in 1924, she was forced to flee her home aged 15, a few weeks before the outbreak of the Second World War.
Her escape on the Kindertransport brought her to England, where she was unable to continue her education, and became a nanny in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire.
Her mother and father, who were remarkably able to come with her to Britain, became domestic servants, before the family relocated to Scotland after her parents were offered jobs in West Kilbride.
Ingrid’s aunt and uncle who chose to remain in Germany, did not survive.
As the war progressed, the British government prevented ‘Enemy Aliens’ from living on the coast, so the family relocated to the Glasgow, where Ingrid worked in a dress shop, sewing collars on British Army uniforms.
She met and married her husband Henry, who also escaped the Nazis on the Kindertransport, at Pollokshields synagogue, Glasgow, on 27 December 1947, and they ran a catering business together for 30 years.
They have two daughters and four grandsons, and two great-grandsons.
While living in Glasgow, they were actively involved in charitable causes, and Ingrid was awarded a BEM for services to Holocaust education in 2019.
Along with her husband Henry, a fellow Kindertransport refugee, they “dedicated themselves to sharing their testimony and ensuring that the human history of the Holocaust lives on with young people”, according to Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust.
“As a great supporter of our Scottish Ambassadors, the impact she had over the years is immeasurable and we will all remember her fondly.”
“We are indebted to her for her tireless efforts”.
The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) said it is “very sorry to hear of the passing of our member, Ingrid Wuga.”
Ingrid and her husband educated thousands of people, both young and old on the horrors of the Holocaust.”
She was warm and sociable, very cultured and loved music.
Ingrid will be sadly missed and AJR send Henry and all the family our deepest condolences.”
East Renfrewshire MP, Kirsten Oswald also paid tribute, saying: “I am so sad to hear this news. Ingrid Wuga, along with her husband, Henry, made a huge impact upon everyone they met. Hundreds of children in East Renfrewshire have heard them talking about the Holocaust, and the lessons we need to learn. She was just a really lovely kind person.”
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