A 75-year-old man who fled the Nazis in the Second World War visited Saint Cecilia’s School last Wednesday to recount his experiences.

More than 120 pupils listened as John Dobai told of his Jewish childhood in Budapest, Hungary, and his near escape from being sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

The visit was organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET), which runs outreach programmes with schools to raise awareness of the Holocaust.

Rachel Croft, religious studies teacher, said: “It is a privilege for us to welcome John Dobai to our school and his testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced for our students.

“We hope that by hearing John’s testimony, it will encourage our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

Mr Dobai’s family converted to Catholocism to avoid Hitler’s persecution of the Jews, but when Hungary was invaded they were found out.

His father was called up for slave labour and young John was barred from going to school.

For a while, Jews in Budapest were protected from deportation, but in September 1944 Mr Dobai and his mother were taken to the train station to be transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Just when it seemed all hope had gone, Mr Dobai’s father appeared after being released from the slave labour camp.

He had managed to track down a Swedish diplomat, Raoul Wallenberg, and obtain three visas, meaning the family could travel to Swedish territory.

They lived in a Swedish safehouse in Budapest until January 13, 1945, when they were liberated by the Russian Army.

In 1948 they moved to England, where Mr Dobai went to university and got married, later having two daughters and three grandchildren.

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: “John’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances and by hearing his testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.

“We impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”