Heroic deeds of British Schindler honoured

Now a golden amber tree and plaque have been officially unveiled in his home town of Stourbridge to remember heroic deeds of Major Frank Foley.

It was while working for MI6 he helped persecuted Jews flee Nazi Germany during the 1930s and 1940s.

Working as a passport control officer for the British embassy in Berlin he refused to stand by and watch innocent people murdered.

He began setting up false passports and even hid up three or four Jews in his own house at the same time, despite knowing he could be killed if he was ever found out.

Major Foley, who died in 1958, was held in such high standing he was eventually awarded the Righteous Among the Nations in 1999 posthumously by Israel.

The latest memorial is now growing in Mary Stevens Park after being unveiled in front family members, Dudley MP Ian Austin, Dudley Council leader Councillor Pete Lowe, and Dudley Mayor Councillor Steve Waltho.

Major Foley was the great uncle of Stephen Higgs who, along with his wife, Veronica and cousin, David, are his last remaining relatives.

Mr Higgs, who travelled down from Carlisle for the unveiling, said: "We were obviously delighted and touched that Frank was going to be remembered in such a way in Stourbridge.

"I still do not think his story is as well known as it should be and it's particularly apt given everything that is going on in Syria at the moment.

"I think the fact people were prepared to stand up against discrimination is most important and is something that constantly needs to be remembered.

"Hopefully this plaque is something that will be there for years to come."

Michael Smith, an author and journalist who published a book about Major Foley's actions in 1999, said it was vital his work was remembered.

"Frank Foley was a local man who became very dear to my heart," he said.

"He was a very secretive man because he worked for M16 but he was also hugely important.

"The thing to remember about Major Foley is he was giving people visas and false passports, while hiding three or four Jews in his house, stopping them from going to concentration camps every day.

"He had no diplomatic immunity so he could have been arrested at any time.

"When people come to examine what he did they begin to realise how important he really was."

Jack Austin, the son MP Ian Austin, who works as West Midlands regional advisor for the Holocaust Education Trust, said it was a fitting tribute just days after the 71st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

He said: "We recognise this as Holocaust Memorial Day and the theme this is year is 'do not stand by'.

"No man encapsulates that better than Major Foley."