Thomas Graumann, the boy who fled the Nazis

I heard about Thomas Graumann years ago, and his story didn’t leave me. My husband, John, and I led a mission trip of 19 people—mostly teens—to the Czech Republic in 2009. We worked with an amazing Czech church, and one night during a conversation with the pastor’s wife we got on the topic of World War II.

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Years later, when this story wouldn’t leave my mind, I contacted Thomas. Talking to him, I discovered that his childhood rescue was just a small part of his story. As a young boy, Thomas dedicated his life to God’s service and God used him in amazing ways, all over the world and within his own country.

I wanted to share Thomas’ story so it wouldn’t be lost. So many of those who survived World War II are gone now, and their stories are gone with them.

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What was it like to work with the author, Thomas?

Thomas is in his 80s, yet his memory is amazing! Thomas had been writing down details of his story for many years, so he gave me a great foundation to work from. We talked on the phone every week for many months as I went over the details of his story. He was able to answer my questions, remembering names and dates. He has a better memory than I do! I felt honored to be able to bring his story “to life” for readers.

Aged eight, Thomas Graumann excitedly boarded a train in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to embark on what he believed was a three-month holiday. That was the last he would see of his mother and most of his Jewish family, who died in concentration camps. He had also never heard of Nicholas Winton, the hero who saved 669 children (Thomas was one of the last, #652), transporting them from Czechoslovakia to the UK to save their lives. This was Thomas’ first rescue, aboard what became known as the Kindertransport.

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