Born in 1927, Ken Smith was an evacuee who just missed the end of WWII but served for four years in the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars, in Italy and Germany, as the allies began rebuilding Europe and staking out the Cold War.

We discussed his military career, his childhood in Notting Hill, his evacuation in Wiltshire, and his experiences in the film industry, which included mixing with many movie stars.

After the film industry, Ken became a successful businessman and has been a long support of AJEX.

Our host, Dan Fox, once again builds a special bond with our guest in this touching discussion across the generations.

Huge thanks to Ken's son Adam for his support and help making this episode happen.

For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

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Ruth Brook Klauber, born in Frankfurt in 1924, was just nine years-old when her family fled to Britain following Hitler’s rise to power. Now aged 101, she speaks with us on 'For Honour's Sake' where we also had the honour of presenting her with her UK War Medal and the UK Defence Medal in recognition of her service with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during the Second World War.

Ruth's decision to enlist came in 1941. She rejected role's as a cook or batwoman, and opted to train as a flight mechanic.

With our host, Dan Fox, she relives her family's flight from Germany, her integration into British society as a teenager, and her eventual wartime service - as well as what she did after the war. An episode and discussion we will cherish.

We also give one of our younger AJEX members, Chloe, an opportunity to ask some questions as the end! Do not miss out on that.

Huge thanks to Ruth's daughter Sue for her support and help making this episode happen.

For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

To donate: https://www.ajex.org.uk/donate

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AJEX National Chair Dan Fox is joined by Henny Franks at Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre.

Henny was born Henriette Grünbaum in Cologne in 1927. Aged 15, she escaped to London on the Kindertransport with her 12 year old sister. Her father was to die in Sobibor but her mother went into hiding in Italy, Switzerland and Belgium.

By 1942, Henny was Pte Greenbaum of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, driving trucks and working in munitions.

They talked about her childhood, her ATS service, and her life after the war, including reuniting with her mother in Brussels. At the end of the episode, we also presented her with a reproduction of Abram Games’s famous ATS recruitment poster.

In 2023, Dan presented Henny her medals from the war, which she never claimed at the time, on the occasion of her 100th birthday: the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-45 - together with her HM Armed Forces Veteran Badge, which she now proudly wears.

In this 80th year of commemorating VE and VJ Day, this episode is especially poignant. Thank you Henny and Jewish Care for making this special interview happen.

Check out our socials below for more content related to this episode.

For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

To donate: https://www.ajex.org.uk/donate

Our social media accounts can be found here:

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