I am so sad to hear that East Renfrewshire resident Ingrid Wuga has died. Ingrid and her husband, Henry Wuga, both came to the UK on the Kindertransport - Ingrid escaped Hitler's Germany aged 15 - and they have made such a difference to the lives of so many people here in East Renfrewshire, and much further afield too, because of their tireless efforts in Holocaust education.
I was fortunate to meet Ingrid a few times and she was without exception a lovely, kind, cheerful person, and so dedicated to the vital work she and Henry were doing. She will be very much missed by all who knew her, and my thoughts are with Henry Wuga, and their family and friends.
Earlier this year I laid down an Early Day Motion, you can see below, about Holocaust Memorial Day, and noting that Ingrid had been awarded the British Empire Medal for her work in this area. I know her efforts were greatly appreciated by so many, and you can see the statement from the Holocaust Educational Trust below, as well as some information about Ingrid's early life.
"The Holocaust Educational Trust is deeply saddened to learn of the loss of our friend Ingrid Wuga: Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:
“Ingrid was a Kindertransport Holocaust survivor who arrived in Britain at the age of 15 after being forced to flee her home and life in Germany. She and her husband, fellow Kindertransport refugee Henry, dedicated themselves to sharing their testimony and ensuring that the human history of the Holocaust lives on with young people. As a great supporter of our Scottish Ambassadors, the impact she had over the years is immeasurable and we will all remember her fondly.
Ingrid will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends, and in particular her husband Henry. We will continue to share Ingrid’s testimony, ensuring that she is never forgotten.”
Ingrid Wuga BEM
Ingrid was born in Dortmund in Germany in 1924. She was 15 when she was able to escape occupied Germany on the Kindertransport, a few weeks before the outbreak of World War II. She was not given the opportunity to continue her education in the UK, and soon after arriving in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, in Leicestershire, she took up a position of a nanny to a baby.
Ingrid’s mother and father were fortunately able to follow her to the UK. Despite having a successful business and being well educated, they took the decision to leave everything behind in Germany and to take up positions as domestic servants. However, Ingrid’s aunt and uncle chose to remain in Germany and did not survive.
After a few months in England, Ingrid’s parents were offered jobs in West Kilbride, and the family moved to Scotland. As the war progressed, Enemy Aliens were no longer allowed to live on the coast as it was feared that they may send signals to the German Army. Ingrid relocated to Glasgow, where she worked in a dress shop, sewing collars on British Army uniforms.
Henry and Ingrid lived in Glasgow, where they are involved with the work of a number of charities, specially skiing with amputees from BLESMA (British Limbless ex Servicemen’s Association). Ingrid was awarded a BEM for services to Holocaust education in 2019.
Henry and Ingrid ran a catering business for 30 years. They have 2 daughters and 4 grandsons.

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