ENGLISHMAN Nicholas Winton, a 93-year-old former stock exchange clerk who saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish children by smuggling them out of Nazi-occupied Bohemia and Slovakia, received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth in her New Year honours.
Winton's feat was a secret for nearly 50 years, until a chance discovery by his wife Greta, who died three years ago. She found an old leather briefcase in the attic containing lists of children and letters from their parents.
Sir Nicholas said: "I'm surprised to have been recognised for something I did 65 years ago. To be honest, I'm finding it all a little difficult and am somewhat embarrassed by all the fuss."
Slovak director Matej Mináč produced a documentary film called Nicholas J Winton - the Power of Good, which won an International Emmy in 2002.
