He organized the rescue of 669 children, most of them Jewish, from Czechoslovakia on the eve of the Second World War, in an operation later known as the Czech Kindertransport (German for "children transportation"). He found homes for the children and arranged for their safe passage to Britain. The world found out about his work over 40 years later, in 1988. The British press dubbed him the "British Schindler". He died on 1 July 2015.Soon after his death a campaign was started, mainly from the Jewish population in the UK, to have his life commemorated on a special stamp. On 24 August Royal Mail responded to the petition:
"Now we have consulted with his family, we are delighted to confirm our intention to feature Sir Nicholas on a stamp as part of a commemorative set, subject to the appropriate approvals, in 2016. The details will be confirmed in due course.
"One of the purposes of Royal Mail stamps is to honour those who have made important contributions to the UK, and every year we consider hundreds of subjects for inclusion. It is clear that Sir Nicholas Winton is a worthy candidate."
I expect this to be one stamp in a set of 10 x 1st class, on the same lines as Eminent Britons, Great Britons, Remarkable Lives, etc.
It's good news when Royal Mail uses its commemorative programme to pay tribute to truly great Britons whose achievements during their life make them worthy of the release of a postage stamp in tribute to them. Royal Mail should resist the commemoration of the trivial and the mediocre even if they enjoy a short-lived popularity. Being commemorated on a stamp should be a great honour not an everyday event. This time at least Royal Mail seem to have got things right.
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