Born: 1893
Died: 1989
Biography:
Bertha Lilian Bracey (18931989) was an English Quaker teacher and aid worker who organized relief and sanctuary for Europeans affected by the turmoil before, during, and after the Second World War. Her remarkable efforts included the rescue of many Jewish children threatened by the Holocaust through the operation known as the Kindertransport. Bracey’s selfless dedication to humanitarian work has rightfully earned her recognition as a British Hero of the Holocaust in 2010.
Bertha Bracey was born in 1893, the daughter of a Quaker chocolate maker named Cadbury, who worked in the model village of Bournville. Her mother, Annie (née Miles), provided a loving and supportive environment for her upbringing. Bracey received her education at Birmingham University, where she developed a passion for teaching and a strong sense of social justice.
It was during her early years that Bracey became deeply involved in the Quaker community. At the age of eighteen, she joined the Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers, who emphasized peace, equality, and service to others. This decision would shape the course of her life and lead her to become a compassionate aid worker.
In 1921, Bracey left her teaching career to work at the Quaker Centre in Vienna, Austria. There, she founded and operated youth clubs, fostering a sense of belonging and providing a safe space for young people. Her time in Vienna not only strengthened her fluency in the German language but also expanded her network of connections, which would prove invaluable in her future relief work.
Bracey’s next mission took her to Germany, where she witnessed the dire consequences of hyperinflation and political instability during the Weimar Republic. Recognizing the immense hardship faced by the German population, especially children, she organized aid initiatives in Nuremberg and later in Berlin. The Quäkerspeisung, the provision of food to the impoverished and starving, endeared Bracey and the Quakers to the German people, allowing them to continue their humanitarian efforts even during the Nazi era.
In 1929, Bracey became an Administrative Secretary of the Germany and Holland Committee at the Quaker headquarters in London. In this role, she oversaw the relief operations in Germany and the Netherlands and played a vital role in providing the assistance needed by refugees. As the workload increased, so did her staff, which grew from a single assistant to 59 case-workers by 1938, necessitating the use of additional space in Drayton House.
During this period, Bracey also contributed to the establishment of educational institutions for German and Jewish children. She helped establish the Stoatley Rough School in Haslemere, England, in 1933. This school aimed to assist German children in adjusting to British education and provided a nurturing environment for their growth. Bracey served as the chair of the board of governors from 1938 to 1945 and continued as a governor until 1960.
In 1934, Bracey played a pivotal role in the establishment of a school for German Jewish children in the castle of Eerde in the Netherlands. This sanctuary offered these children a refuge from the rising anti-Semitism and discrimination in their home country and allowed them to receive an education in a safe environment.
Bracey’s most significant contribution came in response to the alarming threat faced by the Jews of Germany. In 1933, shortly after Hitler became Chancellor, she recognized the danger and stepped up her efforts to rescue Jewish children. With an unwavering determination, she played a crucial role in organizing and facilitating the Kindertransport operation. The Kindertransport saved thousands of children from the horrors of the Holocaust by transporting them to safety in the United Kingdom. Bracey’s commitment to this mission undoubtedly saved countless lives and provided a glimmer of hope in the darkest of times.
Bertha Bracey dedicated her life to helping those in need, particularly those affected by war and persecution. Her work embodied the principles of the Quaker community and served as a beacon of compassion and resilience. She stands as a testament to the power of individuals to make a difference and inspire others through their unwavering commitment to humanity.
Awards:
– British Hero of the Holocaust (2010)